Well, it’s finally arrived. www.jamesday.com.au

Go check it out, now.

JD

When I was about 5, I remember my grandmother asking me to go get her cigarettes for her. Even at the age of 5, I knew they were bad for her. I said “No, Granny, They’re bad for you”.
Somehow, I didn’t get in trouble. Somehow she respected that innocence inside of me that just didn’t agree with the cigarettes that were making her sick and cough unhealthily.

My grandmothers name was May Day.

In two days time on the 1st of May we’ll be celebrating May Day, in style, at the Clifton School of Arts, just south of Sydney. I really like the fact that their website could be read as Clifton School o’ Farts, but that’s another story.

On May Day, I’ll be launching my new brand name – James Day: photographs people in love.

Yes, in some ways it’s just a new brand name, some funky colours and a brand new look and feel, but the reason for the change is another story. Over the past year, I’ve met with countless people numerous times and spent time by myself, working out just what it is I do and where I’m going. My brand needs to be a reflection of that, and well… things have to change.

I’ve discovered that what I am passionate about is quite simply photographing people in love. Hence the new name, “James Day: Photographs people in Love”. I hate fluff, I hate filler, it’s just straight to the point.

I like to get involved, I like to be right in the thick of the action. If there’s dancing going on, I will be dancing too. If someone’s crying, I find that it’s highly likely I’ll cry too. I feed off others so much and that’s just the way I was built I guess. Some people don’t understand it, some people just like to sit back and watch. I can’t be that guy, that’s not how I was built. I love finding out about people, discovering their love and being right beside them when they make the most solemn of vows. I’m mates with my clients, and I’m their biggest cheer squad. Love is something to be celebrated, and I am here to do that with them. Photographing their love is one way in which I celebrate.

I’ve had a lot of help with this new brand, starting with the generous and lovely Bianca from Raw Innovation who helped me work out who I am and where I’m headed, then on to Haley Higgins, who is a bright, energetic and highly motivated young lady who has worked on… well I want to say Design, but there’s so much more to it than that. She’s filled up multiple notepads with words and drawings, helping to refine what is now about to become a part of my brand as a photographer of people in Love. Then there’s the brilliance of Jarrad Spring, who has assisted with the design aspect as well as the technical know how of my crazy ideas that I wished to be interpreted into a website. I cannot thank any of you enough. Almost everyone who has seen sneak previews of my work so far has hired these guys to work for them. If you’d like their details, I can pass them on to you. These guys are top notch.

Then, wow, my wife. Mrs Catherine Day. She has endured me spending way too long sitting in front of this awful beast of a computer, or in meetings, or wanting to run something by her. She’s a patient woman, and I love her dearly. I will endeavour to provide for you and most importantly love you for all my life.

So, launch day is in 2 days. There’s still a bit to do. Maybe it will be a total failure? Maybe people will hate it? Maybe we chose the wrong shade of red? Maybe it doesn’t really matter at all? I’ll welcome any and all feedback. If you hate it, feel free to tell me so. If you love it, tell others. I’d love to share what I do with people who will appreciate it.

And to the people who entrust me to photograph their love, I can’t wait to spend time with you and who you love and take some photographs along the way. I am working so hard for you all to deliver the absolute best experience and images so that you will see just how truly precious you are to me and to the people around you.

Happy May Day, and say no to drugs and cigarettes.

James Day.

THE glamour meets country themed wedding in Coonabarabran, NSW, Stargazing capital of Australia. There’s probably nothing else to do there. Until now.

Just thought i’d add a quick tip for some of the newer photographers reading this on how I did something. The last shot was really tough. I wanted to show the stars, and the light in the tent, but I also wanted to show the top of the tent. There was no light falling on the top, so I did a 30 second exposure then ran around like a mad man popping the flash off manually. There was probably 20 or 30 flashes the roof up a little. I want to do more of this. So much fun!

I’m sorta completing the cycle. Image was taken off my blog, printed in a magazine, and now I’ll publish the low res scan of the article.

This past weekend, Josh Lamont and I travelled to Tamworth for Chris & Gemma’s Wedding and reception at Kitty Crawford Estate. Here’s a royal sampler of some moments of the day. Feel free to leave a message for Chris & Gem in the comments section below.

More coming very soon!

JD

On a cold Armidale morning I sat beside my father in the private hospital, with nurses watching him and waiting for him to take his final breath. You know how in the movies they announce the time of death, well this time they got it wrong. My dad liked everything just so, and when they announced that it was 9:00am I had to correct them. Our watches all said 9:03am. As a 14 year old boy, watching my father die was a tough thing to experience, but what I’ve found is that remembering him and the details about him is what has made it easier. I never want to forget the man who taught me photography in the beginning, who sat with me at the pool when I was approaching my 7th Birthday and told me, “Now James, you will be the only 7 year old who can’t swim, so let’s teach you”. He taught me lots of things. He taught me to look out for quality, to save for exactly what you want and also that watching the SBS news in another language was really annoying for the people around you.

12 years on, I look for opportunities to remember him. I think it’s important to recognise where you came from & who helped you get there.

I remember the last thing you said to me was, “All I wanted to do was to see you grow up”… I’m sorry dad, I’m 26 and I still answer the phone by saying “yo”.

Here’s a photo from our wedding during my speech where I said a few words about dad and served up Dad’s favourite drink (Port in small chocolate cups) to some people that I wish had met him – namely my wife and her family). There’s also a photo of him with a camera. This photo is so precious to me. I miss you dad.

JD

I just got back to the hotel from Chris & Gemma’s Wedding. We started at 9am and just got home. It’s 12:35am. This one was a bit of fun. I’d share something from the story of the day.. but well… I wouldn’t know where to start.

I saw the sun. In Brisbane. For the first time. In years.

I ate lentils, eggs and veges. I lost more weight. Down from 117.8kg to around 110kg in less than 3 weeks. I also found out i’m severely allergic to eggs. More lentils and vegetables for me.

There’s a crazy announcement coming on the 1st of May 2011. Months of hard work has gone into this.

I photographed Miranda & Paul’s Wedding in Brisbane. It was crazy. I’ll show you some photos.

How about you? What’s news?

JD

Last saturday I photographed Emma & Matt’s Wedding and Reception at Woodbyne just outside of Berry on the South Coast. This is only a sneak peak. The full on blog post will be…. full on.

It was great to have my friend (and possible future sort of brother in law – Michael dates my wife’s identical twin sister) come along with me! Check out his blog post here – www.michaeldavidgray.com

This is my mum, and her husband Murray. I’m visiting them for a few days on their property out of town in Armidale. I took these this afternoon on their property. I love being here. I wish I could get here more often.

JD