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.

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.

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.

It’s been a crazy couple of weeks. I’ve photographed a few awesome things and booked in lots of weddings for wonderful people! I’ve been seriously sick with the flu but am slowly recovering.

Also, I’ve been nominated to be in the running for the Australia’s Top Photographers 2011 in the wedding category. That’s cool, but most importantly… my mum thinks i’m awesome!

A few days ago I photographed an event for Rachael Finch. Rachael has been international model since the age of 17 and in 2009 won the Miss Universe Australia title. Since then she has been a consistent face on tv! She made it to the grand final of MasterChef & was a contestant on Dancing with the Stars!

Recently Rachael (and her partner Michael Miziner) opened a dance studio named Dance Planet in the centre of Sydney.

Rachael and Michael are currently holding a fundraiser for the Queensland Flood Victims where you can dance with the celebrities from Dancing with the Stars for just $25 per lesson. Their goal is to raise $25000 for this event. On monday night I had the pleasure of photographing the first night of this fundraiser for Rachael. As you’ll see in the photos, everyone was having such a great time. It was awesome to see Rob Palmer, George Havardous and James Tobin at the event dancing away too!

You can see all the pictures here: DANCE FOR CHARITY – WITH THE STARS – PHOTOS.

I can’t recommend this enough! Do yourself a favour and get along!
Here are some pics

Remember, sign up for this! It looked like so much fun and the money is going to such a great cause!

JD

Recently, Cath and I went on a trip to Tasmania to hang out with our friends Josh Lamont & Jonathan Wherrett.

It was great to learn the Tasmanian national anthem, see the Tasmanian National Flag and try some of their local food. Somehow they let me in to the country without a passport. I was amazed when most of the people I met spoke english too. It was such a relief!

Ok ok enough of the lame jokes already!

It seriously was a fun trip. Some highlights were as follows.
1. Driving around in the Red Porsche Boxster.
2. The pizza at a restaurant called Cargo in salamanca.
3. Spending time with Jono & Josh and their families.
4. Seeing our friends Stella & Kye.
5. Doing no work at all for a whole week!

If you know anyone who is getting married in Tasmania… please send them to me. I would absolutely love to shoot weddings in Tasmania!!!

JD

Yesterday. This baby was Christened. I was there.

Lots more very very soon.

Dear Peter & Alyce,

So, you’ve just arrived home from your honeymoon. Welcome home!!!!!

I’ve organised a little surprise for you.

You are very good friends to both Cath and I. You guys are so so so so special and I can’t believe you’re now married. See those discs with your name all over them that are sitting in your house, unexpectedly? I organised them to be there. They have a slideshow set to music on them as well as all the edited photos ready for you to share. Also, see those photos on the wall? They’re a gift from Cath and I for being so awesome.

Love Cath and James

To everyone else:
A few times in the past I’ve been to weddings where I have remarked to the bride that I should have brought my single buddies with me as there were so many beautiful girls there. A few years ago I attended a wedding where I’m sure I must have said this. I remember thinking that Alyce, the bridesmaid, looked like a princess that day. I knew a wonderful prince, (my housemate at the time) Peter who was on the look out for a fair maiden. I introduced them. I’m so glad these two were brought together. I’ve never seen my mate Peter so happy. Now he’s married to the beautiful Princess Alyce.

When one of your best friends get married, you need to pull out something special. Gah! The pressure! I realised, something that I stand by is, is that “there is nothing more beautiful than Love”. So, I just decided to capture their love story.

I hope you enjoy this as much as I have enjoyed telling their story to you in these images.

You’re awesome guys. So glad you’re married.
JD

Yesterday, I turned 26.

It’s really got me thinking about what’s important to me in life.

I love to photograph, I want to do it more. I want to photograph the people in my life whom I love. I want to show the people in my life the love that exists inside of them.

This is my best friend Catherine. She also happens to be my wife.

These are my other best friends, my nephews.

This is my family. I love them all.

I want to love the people who come to me who ask me to photograph for them. I don’t want more clients, I want more people in my life who will open up and let me in and allow me to photograph memories for them that are just so precious.

I want to photograph more weddings in Sydney so I can spend more time with Catherine. I also want to keep travelling all over the world photographing. So torn.

I want to be a voice for the people in this world that have a story to tell.

I want the world to know that love is everywhere.

I want to tell people about God and all he has done for me.

I want to spend more time with people that inspire me and less time staring at a computer screen.

I want to get to know you better,

James.