Over the years, hundreds of people have chosen me to create images on a day that could be the most important day of their lives. The reasons why I think they’ve chosen me has changed over the years. Once upon a time I believe it probably had more to do with the fact that I was really really cheap than people liking the photos they thought I could take. I think after the events of the past few weeks, I have learnt more about why people may hire me these days.

Over the past few weeks it has been my responsibility to find a wedding photographer to photograph our wedding. You may think it’s funny, but it’s probably one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever had to make.

I found myself weighing up whos images were better suited for the wedding that Cath & I were planning, what finished product Cath & I would like to receive in the end & most importantly and I can’t stress this enough.. who I trusted most! Of course, budget also played a role.

The photographer can really make a huge difference as to how much you enjoy the day, the memories you have of your wedding & the enjoyment your guests have too.

I ended up nailing it down to 3 or 4 photographers whos work I adored, whom I would trust with our wedding photos & whos prices I could reason.

One thing that is very evident in the industry is that there is a huge difference in how much they cost & the quality of the images. I think back to what I was charging when I started and I can explain to you why I was charging what I charged back then & what I charge now. When I started I think I charged about $500 & spent weeks working on the wedding photographs. It was because I needed to. The originals looked pretty crappy & I was so scared to show the originals. These days the editing I do is more styling than photoshopping as I get it right in camera. I made some pretty horrific mistakes. I hope the people knew what they were in for.

If you are paying very little for a professional wedding photographer you have to ask yourself why they’re charging what they’re charging. If they’re charging $500 maybe it is because that’s all they think they’re worth. Also, large studios with lots of photographers may also be more competitive when it comes to hiring them for your wedding but once again that may come at a cost. Do you know if the photographer you’ve hired will actually turn up or will they send another photographer from the studio? Do you know that the images that you saw on their website will be anything like the photographs your photographer is able to create because often with these larger studios the images you see may have been taken by a photographer that doesn’t even work at the studio anymore. I’m not saying that choosing a larger studio is a bad choice, it just may be though if it’s an ill informed one.

Working by yourself does have it’s challenges as well though. I write 100% of the emails. Edit 100% of the images. Take 100% of the images. Meet with 100% of the clients. Answer 100% of the phone calls. I do it all. It certainly does make for a more intimate relationship with the client, but it means I have to be on top of my game 100% of the time. If I make a mistake, it’s MY business that suffers. If I were to have an unhappy client it’s my business that suffers. I find this means that my clients get the very best that I can offer.

The thing though that small studios can generally offer though is passion. I love photographing people in love. I love spending time with people who are passionate, in love & excited about life. I am extremely excited every time I pick up my camera & those of you who have seen me photograph have seen how I just don’t want to put the camera down. I love creating images for people that will take them back to a time in their life that they want to be taken back to.

My prices for wedding photography start around $4000. The things that are listed on the price list really don’t reflect what I offer at all. Above anything else, I feel that what I offer is an experience. This is something I just don’t know how to communicate in words. It’s something that I see & feel time and time again with the people I photograph. Together we create a space for love to be free to be expressed & for precious memories to be savoured.

When Cath & I get married in December I am so excited to have a photographer who I fully trust to take the care required to photograph our wedding. Someone who is passionate about photography, someone who I know will give me the best they can give me and someone whom I will love having there with us enjoying our special day. Thank you Simon

JD

For the past few months, I’ve been teaching one of my nephews Chris, who is 10 a bit about photography and how to use a professional camera. A few weeks ago he attended a wedding with me. I asked him to only photograph when he saw what he felt was Love. It was so interesting to see his take on what he saw. The wedding for for Brad & Virginia and was held at Peppers in Kingscliff which was so so so nice.

We had such a blast hanging out together… I hope he comes to more weddings with me in the future. I also hope my other nephew Mitchell can come along when he’s older!

He really wanted to wear his awesome vest, which was just a little big.. oh and his mum also forgot to pack nice shoes so he wore joggers.. kids can get away with anything and still be awesome!

This was the 4 of us.. and those that know me well know that I’m a man of many faces. He’s learning from me I think. Thanks so much to Brad & Virginia for being so cool with me having my nephew with me. I can’t wait to see them both on monday when I pick them both up from the airport when they return from their honeymoon! I love how I have clients who end up being awesome friends

Here is a gorgeous image that Chris took. I love the abstract nature of it!

JD.

Yesterday, during Chris & Elisha’s Wedding I found myself witnessing the most beautiful time between a father and a bride. He offered wisdom, support and love. Here is their moment.

One of the most incredible days of my life - working alongside the team from StillMotion from Canada - While they were visiting from Canada they asked if I could help them shoot a wedding in Sydney - I was packing it - These guys are some of the best wedding cinema and still image makers in the world - they asked me - they believe the lie. I’m not really a photographer. I just pretend.

Amina is much better with words than I am - check out her blog to read about the wedding & see her incredible images - http://stillmotionblog.com/2010/03/01/2303/
Patrick is better with moving images than pretty much anyone in the world - http://stillmotionblog.com/2010/02/25/serena-liang-a-story-of-destiny-an-sm-sde/

Love. It’s something that I’m learning a slight amount more about every day that passes. One thing that I think i’m learning the most about to do with love, is patience. Patience isn’t something that comes easily for me. I get frustrated with myself when things take longer than I think they should.

I get frustrated with myself that I don’t blog anywhere near enough. Tonight however, as you can see I am doing my thing and catching up on blogging a wedding.

Kate & Nathan are in love, and they asked me to photograph a day that was made because of the love that they share. For that opportunity, I am forever grateful.

A very exciting project announcement is currently being readied for public broadcast & I cannot wait to share it with you!

Patricia and Ryan had a beautiful, personalised, romantic wedding at Patricia’s parents place. It was one of those weddings where every detail was perfect. I may do another post just with details very soon! I have so much other stuff to catch up on in the meantime though. 

Currently i’m in Edmonton, Canada. Next week i’m off to New York! I’ll be back in Australia on the 4th of August at this stage. Coming up, you should expect the following  - a round up of some awards I’ve won recently - a wedding in the canadian rocky mountains - and a gorgeous Blue Mountains wedding of my favourite australian musician!

For now, enjoy this gorgeous wedding!

JD

Kristie & Nathan were married a few weeks ago on a rather cold sunday afternoon at the Chapel at The Armidale School (TAS). When I first met Kristie, it was with her mum Julie. They came into my office and checked out my work and it came out that Rob Heyman photographed Kristie’s parents Julie and Keith’s wedding back on the 8th of December 1975. Rob is a very inspiring photographer who taught me a lot!

I’m sitting here searching for words that can properly convey the energy that was felt at this wedding. I just can’t!

There were lots of amazing industry professionals working on this wedding and it was an absolute pleasure to be a part of it! 

Enjoy these gorgeous images.

I think some people have been a little worried that I’ve been getting no work as they’re not seeing much on the blog. Not true. I’ve been getting lots of work, hence why there’s been nothing on the blog. The clients have taken priority and the blogging has come second. Yeah, I won’t lie, Winter is QUIET! So now I have time to share with you what I’ve been doing in the last few months!

I’m blogging totally out of order. This was a wedding I shot a few weekends ago, but there are lots to blog before that. This is a wedding for one of the most loved (and loving) couples I know. Samuel was my housemate, until he woke up one morning, got married and moved out that day! He also hired me as the professional to capture his wedding whilst being in the bridal party. I knew I couldn’t do it all by myself, so I called in Cathy Crawley from Beautiful Moments Photography. Cathy helped me get the shots I had to be in and we got to hang out and have a great time. You can see more pics on her blog! Including the ones that I’m in that she took.

I’ve known both Samuel & Olivia for quite some time. Samuel was the geek who I knew would find a princess. Samuel is no longer a geek, and he still got the princess. Livi was the girl that had people talking and wondering why she was single. She was one of the most loving and compassionate people around. Then they found each other. Super cool guy + Princess = samnliv.

I wanted Sam & Liv to have the best photos ever. We nailed it. Check them out!

 WVF-101 - your car is famous!

Rosemerin did an incredible job with the flowers.

Samuel was so nervous/excited!

These photos from this point on were actually taken near Dorrigo. Sam & Liv were having their honeymoon near so we decided to do these photos on the way!

p.s. Sam & Liv’s gallery of images (it’s not all the pics, just a random selection that you can see and purchase online) are up. I’ve hidden the password somewhere in this blog post! Enter the website www.jamesday.com.au and enter the password in the client access box. Enjoy folks!

3wJD.

Firstly, welcome to my new Inspiration Journal.

I think it’s only fitting to begin with Toni & Pete’s - a beautiful beginning shoot.

Toni & Pete were among the first people that I shared the Three Words project with. With their words “Faith, Hope & Love”, we created these Inspired images for them. 

After the shoot Toni and I spoke of the need for a song for the website that was being dreamt up at the time. I gave Toni the words, “Three Words, 2 People, 1 Love, and she created the song that you can now hear playing on the new Three Words by James Day website.

Toni, I really don’t know how to thank you adequately for blessing me with this song. All I can say is Thank You!

Don’t you just love the way the sun peeks just over Toni’s shoulder.

I love the soft light in this one.

A new favourite of mine.

This location is my favourite place to shoot anywhere in the world.

I have this image hanging in my studio

Yep, there are 3 Petes.

If you know Pete & Toni, make sure you ask Pete what he was thinking of when this shot was taken.

Toni is totally into Pete.

The light is incredible!

Tilt shift lens yumminess.

Ahhhh.. I love this one too!