As a professional Somerset wedding photographer, one other part I get the privilege of is capturing countless beautiful moments of love and commitment. However, there's something truly magical about surprise proposal photo shoots, especially when set against the breath-taking backdrop of Glastonbury Tor and the surrounding landscape of the Somerset levels at sunset.

As a professional Somerset wedding photographer, every love story I have the privilege to capture is unique and beautiful in its own right. Recently, I started the 2024 wedding season off and had the pleasure of photographing the enchanting union of Ruth and Carmelo at the stunning No.4 Clifton Village in Bristol. Their wedding was a celebration of love, family, and the beginning of a new chapter in their lives together. It was also a chance to roll out my acquired Spanish phrases, with an almost all non-English speaking wedding party.

Your engagement marks the beginning of a beautiful journey together, and what better way to capture this magical moment than with a photoshoot? An engagement photoshoot isn't just about striking poses; it's about capturing the essence of your love story. To ensure that your photoshoot is nothing short of perfect, here are some tips to consider before stepping in front of the camera.

With wedding season about to kick off here at Just James Weddings, it's probably time to tell you how I got started in wedding photography. I have written about this in a similar blog, but (1) there are a few things I missed out (2) in all honesty readers of my blog are not likely to scroll back that far. So here goes.

At the weekend (March 24th) I attended Lara Belle Bridal Wedding Fair showcasing myself and my business as a wedding photographer…

As a Somerset based wedding photographer, building a relationship and chemistry with my couples is really important to me. Your wedding day is a whirlwind of emotions, from the excitement of getting ready to the joy of exchanging vows and celebrating with loved ones. The day after you will feel like your big day has whizzed by, but your photographer plays a crucial role in capturing the magic and preserving timeless memories for you to share with generations to come. Whilst I think having good technical skills and artistic talent are essential qualities in hiring a wedding photographer, there's another huge factor that I think often goes overlooked but is equally important: chemistry.

Are you on the hunt for a unique wedding venue in Somerset? If so, then stick around. As a Somerset wedding photographer, I find that couples are spoilt for choice when it comes to wedding venues in the county, however choosing one is another matter!

Be Passionate. Simple.

If you do not love what you do, it reflects in your work. I pride myself on my passion to give couples the best photos of their big day. Coming from my background in coaching, I love working with people. I love to help couples feel comfortable around a camera, whilst also enjoying their day. I also make a conscious effort to get to know everyone's names on the day, it goes a long way and helps massively in times of the big moments.

Hiya, my name is James and I am a Somerset based Wedding Photographer. I get asked this all the time... "we don't get photos together often", or "do you have any suggestions for how we can relax", or mostly "we don't feel comfortable in front of a camera".

You are not alone.

As mentioned in a previous blog, I love working with people and making them feel at ease. Two of the biggest pieces of advice I love to give out to couples is…

Are you experiencing the minefield that is finding your wedding suppliers?

Well, 7 years ago, my wife and I were starting our own wedding planning journey and found ourselves in the same boat. For wedding photography in particular, we just didn't know where to look, with so many platforms available (still the case, if not with even more platforms out there today)! So we were stuck.

As the clock struck midnight and we bid adieu to the old, it's the perfect moment to reflect on the beautiful journey that was 2023 and eagerly anticipate the enchanting moments that 2024 is bound to bring. As a professional wedding photographer, I find myself not only capturing moments but also revelling in the joy and love that accompanies them.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS! As the holiday season wraps us in its warm embrace, many couples find themselves swept away in the magic of Christmas and New Year's celebrations. It's a time of joy, love, and, for some, a season of new beginnings as they embark on the exciting journey of engagement. If you find yourself among the newly engaged this festive season, congratulations! As a professional Somerset-based wedding photographer, I'm thrilled to share some insights and tips on what to do next.

As a professional wedding photographer based in the heart of Somerset, I've had the pleasure of witnessing and capturing countless love stories unfold against the stunning backdrop of the region's picturesque venues. One such enchanting affair that will live long in my memory was the wedding of Charlie and Gareth held at the historic Bishops Palace in Wells. Nestled in the heart of Somerset, and the home of Hot Fuzz, this venue effortlessly combines centuries-old charm with modern elegance, creating a truly magical setting for celebrating love.

As a wedding photographer, you understand that timing is everything. Whether it's capturing the nervous excitement before the ceremony or the joyous moments during the reception, every second counts. However, there's one time of day that adds a touch of enchantment to your outdoor wedding photography - the golden hours of sunrise and sunset.

Flowers. A quintessential part of any wedding. So much so, it is an integral part of any wedding photographers job on a wedding day to get plenty of pictures of them. For me, flowers play a massive part in both my photography and my editing process to make your wedding photos unique.

Hey everyone! It’s been a minute since the last blog, but today I want to share with you (for both suppliers and couples), why I love to network with other vendors as a wedding photographer. Either through meeting other vendors at wedding fairs, or at weddings themselves, it is always so cool to see how others work and chat about how they are getting on. For someone relatively new to the industry you can always pick up tips and as a photographer, by taking photos of their work and sharing it with the vendors, it is a great way to keep them connections. It might also be the case that a wedding vendor might have a situation whereby they have a client that is still looking to finalise their wedding and are still searching for the specifics. That is why on my website I have a recommended suppliers page. So without further a do, let’s get the blog rolling…

WHY there are times as a Photographer, you just have to pinch yourself...

(if you read all this, thank you)

This last two years as a wedding photographer have been amazing and I've worked with such great couples. I haven't done any marketing on my wedding business at all and have purely relied of word of mouth. Shocking I know...

Hey, I’m James Clarke - a Somerset based Wedding Photographer who loves to take modern and documentary style wedding photographs throughout the UK and beyond. In this blog post, I thought it would be best to tell you a little bit about myself and what inspired me and why I love wedding photography. As I’ll be finding out your story as I capture your day, it’s only right I share this blog with you.

In the world of wedding videography, there are a few individuals who truly stand out for their exceptional talent in capturing the magic of a couple's big day. Dan Pitman is undoubtedly one of those exceptional talents. With numerous awards under his belt and a portfolio filled with breath-taking wedding films, Dan Pitman has become a renowned name in the industry. This year, I have worked with Dan as a second shooter at some of his weddings, so I wanted to thank him by writing this blog and highlight his work to a wider audience. So, in this exclusive interview, I sit down with Dan to learn more about his journey, his creative process, and his passion for telling love stories through the lens.

Every love story is a unique tapestry woven with threads of passion, devotion, and shared dreams. Toya and Simon's wedding at the idyllic Sandy Cove Hotel was a testament to the power of love, set against the backdrop of nature's grandeur. As the entrusted photographer for their momentous day, I had the distinct honour of immortalizing every cherished moment. In this blog post, join me on a captivating journey through their unforgettable wedding day and delve into the artistry of wedding photography amidst the stunning landscape of Sandy Cove Hotel.