Saturday 22 December 2012

Photobooth for parties and wedding receptions


Here it is ladies and gents the party photobooth from Sevenoaks and Kent
this works a treat to spice up your parties and wedding receptions and comes with dress up table

I have been working on this for a while and its now had its first run out and was great fun

pictures to follow



Monday 26 November 2012

Anne-Marie and Nick

Anne-Marie and Nick

A nice slideshow selection from High Rocks Tunbridge Wells shot during the summer

roll on  the wedding season I say !

Tuesday 20 November 2012

Wedding photography Kent - full days gallery

Clare and Martin the weddingClare and Martin the wedding


This was a great wedding ending up at the spa hotel Tunbridge Wells
really nice people really great day and this is how I capture it

Wednesday 14 November 2012

family shoot in Tonbridge on a sunny day :-)

Helen and Sean and FamilyHelen and Sean and Family

creative logo and brand design by matt james photography




Well it had to happen I guess, I can't help myself, when working with companies especially new start up business they often have no

logo or brand and that is needed for everything, the web, business cards, and product branding, when shooting creativly I get carried away sometimes, but then I had to take it a step further and create an original logo for one client who has had someone else do it but not to spec

opinions would be great

Monday 12 November 2012

Claire and Philip 11th November 2011

Copy of Claire and Philip 11th November 2011
yes sometimes it takes my clients a little while to select their pictures but I still do the work !
I have some amazing last of 2012 booking options for late weddings if your still looking or have been let donw by your photographer
contact matt@mattjamesphotography.co.uk to find out more

Friday 26 October 2012

bump to baby Kent



this is a video that uses some of my shots with those of the client as well, I am always happy to merge the two as it tells a complete story of bump to baby, this one features twins
enjoy

Wednesday 17 October 2012

Black and white photography

Ok so if you have read my page and seen my gallery on Black and white photography then you know how stripping an image back to a very basic structure can add emotion and depth to an image, so do you shoot in B&W or shoot colour then edit?

Well, if you shoot black and white to get an instant review of what the image is like but shoot RAW the, the RAW (Canon RAW in my case NEF if Nikon) file will save all of the colour information so you can still edit back to a colour image, that’s with a full size raw of course, Personally I will shoot most things colour and a very small percentage in Black and White as what is most important to me is getting the shot not ‘Live’ editing.

Many clients, especially wedding clients have a repeated gripe about photographers and that is they take ages to do anything, setting up the shot, setting the camera just so, and messing about with reflectors, lights and filters, this is fine if you’re doing a fashion shoot to get that one images that will be used on the cover of Vogue magazine, but for on the fly wedding photography or location shoots with other people to consider its best to know your shot and go for it.

So getting back to Black and White, it’s all about the light, and of course it’s a great ‘get out of jail’ free card if the location has unusual lighting that turns skin purple, the walls red and the floors green, if you have got the shot but it looks too messy and the colour balance and white balance if really off then try it Black and White, you will be amazed, as well as this is you were going for a shot for a distance in say a low light situation and the image is their but full of grain, the again Black and White can make it look like a piece of art, when you get to know your shots well enough, you will indeed go for the shot with the particular edit in mind.

It just takes practice and sometimes the nerve to risk the shot, what’s the worst that can happen?
Thanks for reading, come and visit my Blog again

Cheers

Matt


Wedding and portrait photography the pre booking shoot and why it helps the wedding day atmosphere

Ok it was raining this morning in Sevenoaks, and I had agreed to meet a bride and groom who are considering using me as their selected wedding photographer.

We met in Knole park in Sevenoaks in the tea rooms, one piece of cake and a cup of tea later Sanjay, the groom said let’s do this thing, like he was in an action movie, Katharine got up as well and we walked to the door, it was raining like we were in the tropics, I looked around and said well I guess another cup of tea is in order.

This prompted us to have a discussion about what happens if it rains on the day of your wedding, after all you can say to everyone, sorry all let’s do this another day.

My reply was this, it’s going to stop raining soon and we can get out there, don’t panic, I could see that they had worked up the nerve to have their pre shoot with me and after getting the confidence to have me point my camera at them in a public place we were stopped at the door, like someone ready to run a marathon only to find out after his or her best exit from the blocks it was a false start.

As a photographer you have to be aware of this and how people are feeling after all capturing that moment is all about emotion, I did read this a little and thought it best to chat about what normally happens if it rains, I guess you’re wondering what happens then? Well it’s simple either get wet or don’t, just wait a little while as usually when it rains normally there is some break and at worst we can aim for the break or shoot indoors if there is none, it’s all part of understanding what to do with light and how to adapt to the situation, if however I had walked to the door and said, ‘it’s raining really heavy, I don’t want to take my camera out there, what are we going to do?’ I am guessing that some confusion or further anxiety would have crept in on their part, now imagine it was their wedding day and the same thing happened.

So I remained relaxed and before you knew it the rain stopped and now (this afternoon) it’s sunny here in October.

Our shoot consisted of a walk around the park using the different textures of the old walls, trees and autumnal colours to get a few relaxed shots of them as a couple, what I also do is explain what I am doing and why as I go along, not to the degree of I’m shooting at 1/250sec at F4 with an ISO of 200 RAW with a 5200K temp, but why I was choosing a shady area rather than standing in direct sunlight, what I was doing when I let the branch of a tree hang in front of my lens when I took a shot, what to think of rather than force a smile to create a natural smile not forced and false.

There is a point to all of this, on the wedding day if we are doing some shots of say the bride and groom and parents, and they are standing in what looks to be a perfect spot for a shot but I ask them to move elsewhere, they know why I am doing it, not just to change the background but because ultimately they know they will get a better shot, having this information is very useful for couples, quite often I may be asked to shoot a picture under a tree for example, and it looks like it could be a great shot but when under the tree there are patchy shadows all over their faces caused by light cutting through the branches, they will understand that the light is uneven and not complimentary to them and trust me to call the shot.

All of this process creates trust and faith in what I am doing on the day, and if they are not worried or concerned they will relax, if they relax then I get better pictures, if I get better pictures they are happier, so popping out in the rain for a while this morning was a huge part of their wedding day and how they will feel on the day and they just thought they were going out for a test shoot 




Friday 28 September 2012

London Southbank pre booking shoot for engaged couples


Southbank London 28th September 2012Southbank London 28th September 2012

A really nice shoot from today on London's southbank
this offer is open to brides and grooms looking to book me for their wedding

Friday 7 September 2012

just sharing some feedback from a couple of wedding clients



Hi Matt

Thank you so much for sending the link for our photos. They are absolutely brilliant exactly what we wanted so thank you so much. I also wanted to thank you for everything you did on the day. We felt so relaxed around you and most of the time didn't even realise we were being photographed.

What happens next?

Regards Paul and Tracey

http://jalbum.net/a/1227205

Thursday 30 August 2012

Wednesday 15 August 2012

Cooling castle Barn wedding

I shot at cooling castle barn yesterday and guess who I managed to get to pose with the groom - the best man and the ushers...none other than Jools Holland, I will put the image up here as soon as I can

the groom was made up


Tuesday 17 July 2012

Baby portrait (well one and a half) but how cute is this girl

FrankiFranki

She looks like tiny tears, reminds me of my daughter when she was this young, and shirly temple
what a sweetie

Sunday 8 July 2012

High Rocks Tunbridge Wells free pre booking/wedding shoot gallery

High Rocks 7th July 2012High Rocks 7th July 2012

Hi there

This is a free pre booking shoot I did yesterday at High Rocks Tunbridge Wells
I offer this to all of my clients as a try before you buy deal, this way the guesswork should be taken out of choosing your wedding photographer

also available, portrait shoots, maternity shoots, baby portraits, event photography well pretty much anything really

Friday 6 July 2012

wedding photographer in kent and surrey

Gary and Kate the weddingGary and Kate the wedding

this is a great wedding I shot with Gary and Kate

really nice colours (lots of them) and pin the money on the bride at the end!

Monday 18 June 2012

wedding videographers I loved working with

Hi there Matt

Hope you are well.

It was an absolute pleasure to work with you the other week at Anne-Marie and Nick's wedding. I have come away with so much good footage and a lot of that is due to the wonderful shots that you set up !

I would like to add you as a link on my web site. Would you like to give me a few words to sum up your services?

kind regards

Carol

Carol Navis A.M.Inst.V
Cut Above Productions
e: carol@cutaboveproductions.co.uk
t: 07956 914305
w: www.cutaboveproductions.co.uk

this was an email I received from them while shooting a wedding at High Rocks Tonbridge Wells


Thursday 14 June 2012

Product photography Kent

LinLin

these are some shots from todays quick studio shoot
some call this 'packshots' some 'product photography'

So I don't only shoot people !

A wedding shot by my good friend Russell Harper, and some late night shots from me

Alice & Jonny Saturday 9th June 2012Alice & Jonny Saturday 9th June 2012

This was a wedding where I had already been booked elsewhere, in this situation I put other photographers in who I know will do a fantastic job, usually Russell Harper

This was a great wedding that I managed to pop to after the other wedding I was shooting to get some late shots

So don't worry if im already booked I can still organise great photography for you as this link shows

Wednesday 13 June 2012

Late night creative wedding photography




I love this shot, its a long exposure late at night from the last wedding I shot

wonderfull

hope you like it too

Thursday 7 June 2012

a full wedding gallery

the wedding of shelley and benthe wedding of shelley and ben

oh and I just had an email from the previous client

'We are sitting on our balcony in Positano overlooking the beautiful bay and you have us both beaming (and crying!) at the wonderful pictures and precious moments you have captured! We have only managed to look at half of them but we love what we've seen so far and can't wait to view the rest.

You've done a grand job!!!'

is what they say :-) makes it all worthwhile

Dartford registry office wedding

Gary and Sanja Wedding GalleryGary and Sanja Wedding Gallery


A nice intimate wedding with just four people and a campervan and we still had lots of fun

Full wedding gallery Smersole Farm the Old Kent Barn wedding venue

Rebecca and Mark The Wedding 27th May 2012Rebecca and Mark The Wedding 27th May 2012

Let me know what you think of my shots :-)

Thursday 31 May 2012

Leanne Falkner AKA Rosy Apples Burlesque performer

Rosie ApplesRosie Apples




Just a few edited I have done after shooting a wedding this morning to relax, it was a great wedding with the bride the groom and two witnesses, thats it, lots of fun and great people

Wednesday 30 May 2012

Actor headshots at Supermarket prices!


To coincide with my joining casting call pro I am offering Actor head shots at reduced prices, the sessions will last between an hour and two depending on the client and can be at my studio in Tonbridge (just a few stops from London central or in London on the wonderful Southbank

Get these potatoes while their hot!

Tuesday 29 May 2012

London Southbank


I love this shot taken by Helen Brandon, this chap was playing a stick with dried fruit! what a fantastic sound, hexstatic use this instrument on one of their tracks or a sample of it but I never knew what it was
I think he and I look very much alike and I love the eye contact (one world)

Thursday 24 May 2012

Humanist weddings are great

I cant wait to shoot my next humanist wedding, I would recomend everyone goes to one at least once in their lives. its a very emotional and wonderfull affair

this is one image from a tutorial shoot in London


This is just one of the shots from a nice photography tutorial shoot in London, a very relaxed day was had by all and the images came out great

Ariel video of your wedding!



http://youtu.be/r3PeAODk1Ww

hopefully this link works with my good friends from All good fun I can now offer ariel video footage of your wedding, obviously this is complimentary to the 'normal' photography but what an exciting perspectave to have on the day !

depending on the area etc to catch the ceremony outside and the action as it happens would add between £3-900 to the cost

Saturday 19 May 2012

London 18May2012 With Helen and Eve LiuLondon 18May2012 With Helen and Eve Liu

the result of a photography tutorial in London yesterday 18 May 2012 with Helen and Eve liu (model)

We had a great time and the shots vary from Zen to editorial

Wednesday 16 May 2012

Tuesday 15 May 2012

Canterbury pre wedding shoot at Winters Barn

Winters BarnWinters Barn

I met this handsome couple at a wedding fair, to be honest it was like meeting old friends, this is a result of a 45 minuite shoot around winters barn in Canturbury, as you may know by now I offer a free pre booking shoot to help people who are thinking of using me as their photographer for their wedding and this is a result of just that.

so if you are getting married and looking for a photographer then why not try before you buy?

Bromley Registry Office

Bromley Registry Office

a little promo I just made for Bromley registry office

Birthday party shoot kent portrait photographer

Ella Birthday shootElla Birthday shoot

A nice Birthday presant of a shoot for four girls, we had a trip to Toys Hill and had some fun shooting these images, the Gils were buzzing after the shoot and everyone had a good time

Kent wedding photographer - full days gallery

Matt and Jill The weddingMatt and Jill The wedding

Friday 4 May 2012

Model portfolio shoots at Studio 4e Kent

Lydia and SisterLydia and Sister

The results of a four hour session with two sisters one an actor the other a model and make up artist
to arrange your own shoot please call me on 07939 041105
This is the first time the Model has tried modeling with some guidance she rocked...can you?

Thursday 26 April 2012

black and white and grainy and framed art edited wedding photography kent

http://tiny.cc/mguddw
http://tiny.cc/mguddw

Black and white wedding photography kent

really excited about this post
I have spent today putting together a special grainy, framed collection of wedding images
please feel free to comment
cheers

Matt

I nice wedding album layout from Coltsford Mill Wedding location shot by www.mattjamesphotgraphy.co.uk

http://jalbum.net/a/1152370/
http://dubjubbley.jalbum.net/Faye%20%20Steve%20Book/
Faye  Steve BookFaye Steve Book

Photoshoot parties in Kent


Great for Hen nights / stag nights and can take place in my studio in Tonbridge, no worries about noise just lots of fun to be had
why not try a shoot before the night out then even book me to document the evening! perhaps be the designated driver as well :-)
contact 07939 041105
cheers

Matt

Friday 13 April 2012

Food photography for menus and advertising

off to Frant today to discuss some food shots with a Restraunt in Frant, my mouth is watering already, this is a nice chance for some shallow depth of field shots using natural light.

Bottle shots are the hardest thing I have come across, why not have a go yourself? Watch out for the slightest reflection, the shadows, it’s not as easy as it may seem
Why not email me your images ?

Friday 30 March 2012

pre wedding shoot today

I met this great couple today, we had a little shoot at Oaks Farm Shirley Surrey CR0 5HL
and these shots are the result of a 40 min wander around

Gary and KateGary and Kate

Wednesday 14 March 2012

Wedding albums kent photographer

Jamie and Jess Wedding Album LayoutJamie and Jess Wedding Album Layout I do hope this link works, its an album layout from a kent wedding I shot May be interesting to couples looking to book their photographer would love to have some comments on this cheers Matt

Thursday 23 February 2012

Lynford Hall wedding photography

http://jalbum.net/a/1129721/

Just some feedback from a wedding client

Hi Matt

Faye's and Steve's photos absolutely stunning we are spoilt for choice you worked so hard that day and we cannot thank you
enough wonderful memories for us all to cherish forever.

Best regards

Dawn and Paul Frizzell
(faye's Mum and Dad)

Tuesday 7 February 2012

I can see a couple of nice small tits in my garden


It's not what you think, these are Birds, no i'm not trying to sound like Sid James but it seems to be going that way, these are a couple of nice tits I can see from the window where I edit :-)

this was taken through the dirty window....my window cleaner has been off ill

Nice small tits out in my garden, its not what you think!

Its not what you think, these are Birds, no i'm not trying to sound like Sid James but it seems to be going that way, these are a couple of nice tits I can see from the window where I edit :-)

this was taken through the dirty window....my window cleaner has been off ill

A moment in the Snow


Just a nice moment in the snow at Fickleshole Farm

Monday 6 February 2012

Saturday 4 February 2012

Alice

Alice


short video from the pre wedding shoot today

Pre booking wedding shoots!


What a beauty, it was a great shoot and then I found out I am already booked, but I have a great person to put in my place for the day, fingers crossed they would like me to arrange this

Thursday 2 February 2012

March 2012 Wedding Photography Special Offers

Hi there

For some reason March seems very quiet this year so I have decided to offer some fantastic wedding photography deals.

Full days shooting - data disc with all gallery images copyright free - £700!
as above with a nice main album £870
as above with main album and two parent albums £1070!

March 2012 only deal
call 07939 041105 to book now (Visa and Mastercards accepted)

also some portrait offers on as well

cheers

Matt

Saturday 28 January 2012

Free event photography February and March 2012

Hi there, I thought I would blog an offer I have at the moment

during Febuary and March I am offering free event photography this could be a Ball, or awards event or corporate event

the deal includes onsite printing and sales (with card payment facility)
it also offers a shoot voucher that can be raffled off to raise money for a charity or foundation

this is on a first come first served basis so contact me with your enquiry

cheers

Matt

Friday 27 January 2012

Sunrise Celebration 2011

Sunrise Celebration 2011
Not long until sunrise festival

Grapevine netword evening

Had a nice time yesterday evening at the Vine network evening along with fellow photographers Russell Harper and Marcus Warren, looks like we will be offering some premo event photography in the Kent and Surrey area

Tuesday 17 January 2012

portrait photography Kent


this is from a pre booking shoot with some wedding clients, I love this shot, so much reality so much personality, yes even if I say so myself!