Stuart James Photography

21/08/2024

Wow! This was one incredibly special and relaxed wedding - and one heck of a party!! 🥳

I came to photograph Jimmy and Ruth's wedding after knowing Jimmy's mom for some years. When they announced they were tying the know, I think I was booked before the venue was confirmed 🤣

The plan for the wedding day itself was completely Ruth + Jimmy - relaxed, fun and all about everyone having an amazing time! And that certainly hit the mark.

With a late afternoon ceremony, straight into the reception and party, there was no time for anyone to do anything other than have an incredible time!

Here is just a little look at their day, whilst they're enjoying the end of their mini-moon in Paris!! ❤️

21/08/2024

It's always great to be back at Hawkesyard Estate ❤️

19/08/2024

I've always loved working at Moxhull Hall, and it's not hard to see why! It's such a stunning venue, and I knew we would have the best time there for Jenna + Matt's wedding.

I'd had the chance to spend a little time with Jenna + Matt ahead of their big day during the pre-wedding engagement shoot around Sutton Park, and felt really connected to them - and excited to be part of their day. I also couldn't wait to see what came out for their first dance routine - all I can say is WOW!!
Utterly blown away - what pros!! 👏

Here is a little look at their day, with their ceremony at St Anne's RC Church before the reception at Moxhull Hall.

⛪️ St Anne's Church
🏰 Moxhull Hall
💄Ashley Hope
💇‍♀️Sonia Jane Bridal Hair
👰🏻‍♀️Wedding Frox, Cranleigh
🤵🏻Peter Posh Suit Hire
🎂Dream Bakery
💐Make It Special
🎥And Love Films
👩‍✈️His & Her's Wedding Cars

16/08/2024

What a wedding!! I absolutely loved being back at The Ashes Barns Wedding Venue & Country House Accommodation for Kay + Phils' big day.

The day could not have been better - crazy how lucky we were with the weather.

Whilst it will be a couple of weeks before the full set of photos are ready, here are a couple of favourites 🥰

23/04/2024

A little over a year ago, I had the absolute honour of capturing Sylwia + Simon's beautiful day at Hawkesyard Estate!

I met the gorgeous couple at the Hawkesyard Bridal Fayre as they were planning their day, and we hit it off straight away.

With a full-day coverage with wedding photography and videography, I had the best time capturing their story from the morning preparations through the arrival of their guests - with a very special guest helped by That's Pawfect 🐾 to the ceremony as the guests enjoyed the acoustic guitar by Derek Brock 🎶

From the ceremony, it was dodging the rain showers ☔️ whilst capturing the family photos and the shots of the couple around the grounds.

The evening kicked off with adding more of the couple's beautiful friends to their intimate day.

What a wedding! Thank you for inviting me to capture your wedding - I had a blast!!

🐾
🎸
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🎥 And if you wanted to see their wedding video, head over to https://vimeo.com/822097018

16/04/2024

What a beautiful way to kick 2024 off in style!

I met Deb + Si last year at The Moat House Acton Trussell and we hit it off straight away. It was clear their wedding was going to be about one primary thing - having an amazing celebration with their closest friends and family, and boy did they pull that off!

From the morning preparations with Helen Pearson Make-up Artist, to the big beaming smile from Sorella Florist & Event Stylist with those stunning flowers - the room decor was amazing too 👏 - through into the evening when the one-and-only Adam Cooper Magic came down to blow people's minds - some of those expressions were timeless. And of course, the piste resistance - THAT cake from Eat my Muffin Bakery 😋
Finally, as it was time to get down and dirty on the dancefloor 💃🕺🏻 I left TCK Wedding Entertainment Specialist to get the party truly rocking!

What a day! Deb + Si, thank you for inviting me to start my wedding year with you guys - I loved every second!

02/03/2024

Best of 2023 - part II

02/03/2024

What a year! Here's a look at some of my favourites from 2023 - a truly fabulous year!!

15/10/2023

15/10/2023

FREE VIP FAST ENTRY TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE!

https://hawkesyardhall.eventbrite.co.uk

07/10/2023

I was looking forward to this wedding all year long...well, actually since I first met Matt years ago photographing his sister's wedding!!

When Matt + Sophie got in touch about their wedding at The Mill Barns Exclusive Use No Corkage Countryside Wedding Venue & Rooms I was stoked to capture their day, I knew it would be an absolute blast!

Two beautiful people, a fabulous collection of friends and family, the best wedding venue and working alongside the greatest suppliers, this really was a treat!

19/09/2023

What a wedding this was!!

Isobel + Kris you both looked incredible...and I love how much you both just fool around - life will never be dull for you guys, that's for sure!!

Isobel + Kris chose the amazing Hanbury Barns Wedding Venue for their September wedding, and I'm so grateful that the wet weather blew through and most of the day was dry for us to enjoy the setting...and as you can see, when the rain came back on the night, we made the most of it 🥳

Hope you enjoy this little preview!

29/08/2023

Back in May everything looked set for an AMAZING summer...what happened there!?

On Charlotte + Phil's wedding at Coton House Farm Wedding Venue the guests were literally sheltering from the sun it was that hot...oh for those glorious days!

But I have to say...Coton House Farm in the sun is quite an incredible venue!

Add to that incredible entertainment, the BEST group of people intent on having the best time, oh and unlimited overage to capture ALL of the drunken debauchery, you know it's something special!

Charlotte + Phil, it may have taken me a few weeks to catch up and get this slideshow prepared for you, but thank you from the bottom of my heart for inviting me to share your day!

29/08/2023

Last week I had the pleasure of returning to an all-time favourite venue, Moxhull Hall for Danielle + Sam's big day!

From when I first met Danielle + Sam I LOVED their idea for their wedding - an intimate wedding, with their closest friends and family with them, relaxed chilled our entertainment throughout the day - and a little bit of fun, and nod to their golfing background, with crazy golf on the night.

With live music from our fabulous wedding pianist, and Steven Edwards on guitar and vocals on the night, it really was perfect from start to end.

I hope you enjoy sharing in Danielle + Sam's story.

17/08/2023

So Sunday came and I have to admit I ended up crossing everything on the way to Shrewsbury..despite driving through pouring rain. Alas, come the time of the wedding the weather gods had been kind and we were on for the plans of an outdoor ceremony - thank you 🙏

I was really looking forward to Hannah + Oliver's wedding as I had met them whilst photographing Oli as best man last year, and even got to spend time with them both in Cornwall earlier this year too. Knowing I was going to be with some of the same amazing / crazy 😜 crowd added to the fun, and mix in amazing suppliers and an incredible venue you've really got the recipe for a wonderful day. Oh and bumping into a good buddy from the world of BNI and marketing was a real bonus too - what a crazy small world it is!!

Anyway, here is a look at Hannah + Oliver's Rowton Castle wedding.

15/08/2023

On Saturday I had the pleasure of being back at The Belfry Hotel & Resort for Jodie + Callum's wedding - and what a day it was!

The weather behaved and even gave us some beautiful evening light, and everyone had the best time!

It may be tiring, but there is something incredibly special about being in the middle of !

08/08/2023

On what was a rather wet ☔️ day on Saturday, I was back at Coton House Farm Wedding Venue for Natalie + Peter's wedding - and it was a blast! 🙌

There was zero-chance of rain drowning the spirits of these guys who were up for the mother of all celebrations!

What a day! I loved every second!!

02/08/2023

Last week I enjoyed capturing Holly + James' wedding at Christchurch and Shustoke Farm Barns - I love that venue!

Here's a little look at their day!

11/06/2023

04/05/2023

So you hate the idea of posing for photographs, so you book a documentary photographer…but then you still want portraits…HOW do you get to feel comfortable and relaxed?

This is a conundrum a lot of couples face, and as most of our couples are not posey people, it’s a question that gets posed a lot. �However with us, there are two massive advantages to solving this:

1. We’re incredibly relaxed on the wedding day and have a laugh and a giggle together, getting you to be YOU, not posing, just being guided correctly and looking the best version of yourselves
2. We get to this point QUICKLY on the wedding day by spending time together in the lead-up to the wedding in an engagement session.�

An engagement session is a great way to get to know each other and build connections whilst building your confidence.

Hear from Sarah + Craig as they discuss their experience around portraits before their wedding.

03/05/2023

⭐️⭐️ One of the area's Biggest, Brightest and BEST wedding fayres is back for Spring 2023! ⭐️⭐️ The is also one of the area's longest established wedding shows and for very good reason!

We'll have over 50 of the region’s top wedding suppliers in attendance, all offering quality and value for money and eager to demonstrate their goods and services along with giving invaluable advice.

You'll find everything you'll need to plan the perfect day...Don't Miss It!

Free VIP Fast Entry Tickets Available
https://hawkesyardhall.eventbrite.co.uk

Just a selection of the exhibitors that will be attending...
Platinum Wedding Cars Kevin Paul Suit Hire Katies brides Sorella Florist & Event Stylist Kathryn's Homemade Cakes Portray Wedding Films Picture Box Derek Brock Guitarist Jeneve Bridal Wear Peter Posh Suit Hire Amy Coyne MUA Hair by Lucie Kelly sarah plant floral design Duo Jewellery Wedding Rings Stephen Sutton Photography A Little Bit Of Blighty by Clare Simpson Love Enca Stuart James Photography Adam Cooper Magic pearlandevebridal Wespin360 Shape Me Up Leanne's Cake House The Forgery Band Beautiful blooms Miss Molly's Bupa Dental Care UK Cris Lowis Photography Sticky Fingers Cafe, Tamworth Jetaime Diamonds Be.You.Tiful Event - Event Styling Funky Fairy Cake Stop Vroom4thegroom Joe Felton Videography Tuppenhurst Barn B&B & Cafe Denise Whelan - Celebrant SoJo & Co Hair Amjad & Deborah NJT Solihull Fireworks Hawkesyard Estate

03/05/2023

When trying to find a wedding photographer it really is a bit of a minefield - everyone in the industry seems to use the same relatively meaningless terms to describe their work, often speaking of this award or that award, or that qualification or another.

And yes, I have been guilty of more than one of those…

So how can I break it down? Describe what I really do…and what makes me truly different?

Well, the easiest answer is also not very helpful, as the thing that makes me ‘different’ is that I’m “me”. But why would you want “me” to be your man with a camera?

I’ve been doing this job for nearly 20 years, and through that time I’ve seen most things, experienced most scenarios, and can be a calming and guiding influence through the day.
When entrusting your photography to me your not putting your photography in the hands of someone chasing the next magazine feature or industry award, but someone who wants to tell a real, true and beautiful story of your day.

I’ve never captured a wedding in a true photojournalistic style as I’ve always taken some control through the day, to ensure we capture the images you are looking for.
Be it the family portraits (which we capture as efficiently as possible - I.e. sub 20 minutes!) or natural portraits of the two of you (which you will feel comfortable with as we will have gotten to know each other during the engagement shoot).
But the rest of the day, I’m just going to let things unfold, and be your eyes on the day…capturing the story, from the viewpoint of your guests, your friends and family as they have the best day possible.

Oh and I’m also THE BEST BRIDESMAID and GROOMSMAN going - I will always make sure your dress is positioned perfectly and your suit is right on point. After all, if I can’t use my years of experience to help make your day look and flow perfectly, there’s something wrong.

Want to know more about me and my approach, and work out if we’re a good fit?

Hit this link and ping me a message with any questions: https://www.stuartjamesphoto.co.uk/info/documentary-wedding-photographer/

02/05/2023

My journey into photography was quite organic - it started at the grand old age of 11, carrying my dad’s box at weddings, before progressing to taking a few candid photos and then actually shooting my first solo wedding at just fourteen years old.
From there, me and my dad worked together until I set up Stuart James Photography in 2004 upon leaving school.

I find it interesting to think back on the evolution from being the assistant, to the second photographer, to running my own business and then also witnessing the evolution of the style of photography too. �When I first set up SJP, the work was much more traditional - Colour and B&W 120 roll film through the Hasselblad, with a few ‘relaxed / reportage’ photos on 35mm B&W film. The albums were all traditionally matted, and it was all quite regimented.
Fast forward to 2006, and it had all changed. I was spending 70% of the day capturing the story as the day unfolded. Shooting on Nikon FM3a’s - one body with colour, one with black and white film, then adding in the Hassy for the formal photos and the portraits, the documentary style of photography I shoot today had been born.
And from there, it all naturally evolved, tweaked and developed into the style I love and shoot today…

In ways, I miss the old days of film, but the latitude that you can photograph now and how creative you can be with technology has changed everything. I do still hate that I spend more time at a computer than I do with a camera, though…

01/05/2023

I decided to take this quieter day to pick up on a great idea I’d seen shared by a friend and kick off the month by telling you a little more about me!

So, here we are, May 1st 2023, and at this point, I’ve been a full-time photographer for 19 years…and 1 day.

To say it’s been a bit of a journey is an understatement, but I absolutely love it.

I get to capture weddings and special milestones for my couples up and down the country, and whether it’s documentary photography or filmmaking, to know the memories we capture will stay with that family is incredibly special.

Would I change it? Not a chance! I love it!
Besides…who wants to get a real job😉

I hope May is absolutely wonderful for you…and I also hope that summer is nearly about to make a proper appearance! ☀️

26/03/2023

All set for a great day at The Moat House Acton Trussell for the Bridal Fayre today.

Come on down if you’re planning your wedding - such a great venue and brilliant suppliers on hand 🥰