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ONE THOUSAND WEDDINGS LATER

“I started photographing (and later filming) these unique events twenty years ago, which, with my eyes, I think, has me anticipating what may happen, often before it actually does. I work as a documentary wedding photographer, authentically making a real and editorial story of your day, preferring not to direct, save for the few moments I’m called upon to photograph an intimate family portrait for a documentary record.

Genuinely, I didn’t plan to become a wedding photographer; there was no epiphany, no calling as such, but I believe this genre of photography, much misunderstood and often misrepresented, found me, and it certainly satisfies my sincere interest in human relationships. I often comment with wry humour when asked about why I photograph weddings following a previous life in radio broadcasting, that life leads you down aisles, literally in my case, that you otherwise weren’t planning.

I see my role as a candid reportage photographer, a photojournalist who just happens to be at a wedding. I am an observer, a watcher with a camera. I don’t engineer emotion or dictate this special occasion; there’s enough happening that is already exceptionally unique, energetically engaging and often intimately vulnerable not to need to do that. Why invent, when you can truthfully record? I subtly go about my work observationally, sensitively, tacitly even. I refer to my presence on a day as being a couple’s rearview mirror, recording the moments they don’t and won’t otherwise witness. Listening to the sound of the day and second-guessing what may develop before my eyes view it, in reality, is essential within this special genre. If I can read a wedding, I can make a story, your story.”

Twice internationally recognised in Junebug’s exclusive list of Best Wedding Photographers of the World, represented for weddings in France and former Wedding Photographer of the Year for London and the South East at the Wedding Industry Awards, Neale James is based just west of London near Newbury in Berkshire, though accepts commissions the length and breadth of the UK, London and destination weddings abroad.

Neale’s background in broadcasting as a radio presenter has gifted him a unique understanding as a wedding photographer of how to embrace the potent sense of sound to enhance his wedding stills photography further, recognised as the producer of the World’s first photographic and audio Wedding Photofilms.

INSTAGRAM FEED @NEALEJAMES

You don’t get a lot of formal training as a wedding photographer. Okay there’s the odd workshop or three, but mostly you learn through literal flying hours and coal face experience of people. I do remember one mentor early on though who s
Some of my favourite wedding photographers like @kevinmullinsphotography @allisterfreemanphotography and @paul.rogers.photography have talked in the past about patience; being somewhere and waiting for a scene to play out. This for me is one of those
Well I think what the mind reader at this event said surprised everyone. I certainly wasn’t expecting it. Up close and personal with 15mm. It’s one of those focal lengths that can work well through distorting and pulling in the story. As
“There we go Granddad, take that, right up your nostril.” You really don’t have to wait long for one of the little ones to reward you with a gem at a wedding. #weddingphotography #weddingceremony #lillibrookemanor #engagementpod #d
I thought long and hard, at least the time it takes to boil a kettle, about whether to post this one. It’s difficult to show nuances and subtleties in a picture when it’s but a couple of inches big at best. Here we are, quiet before the s
My initial concern just over twelve months ago when I switched full time from my beloved Canon 5Ds to the Fuji X-T3s was that the speed of action to focus acquisition would be too sluggish when it came to wedding work. If it was a learning curve, it
Now this is what I call a top table with a view. @searcysgherkin #thegherkin #londonwedding #weddingphoto #weddingphotography #reportageweddingphotography #weddingbreakfast
It must be that time of year; rich warming colours. Been shooting a fair few weddings over 2019 where the grooms have been talented drummers. Here’s the X-T3 proving it can photograph in the dark. #weddingphoto #weddingpictures #documentarywed
But it’s not very documentary?! No, it’s not, no. I can’t lay claim to a large portfolio of portrait work as I favour a hands off approach when I shoot, but I’m not averse to the occasional relaxed portrait. At this time of ye
There are so many times I wish Instagram would display landscape instead of square. This is one of those moments you need that width. I’m at a venue called Millbridge Court this weekend and this image is from that venue exactly one month ago. T
Unsure whether to think of this as a very simple portrait, or a statement. Grandma will always be a fair barometer of the quality of a wedding speech. #weddingphoto #weddingpictures #documentaryweddings #realweddings #wedding #weddingpictures #weddi
Visual nuggets are so precious to story telling. One of those moments where you spy something developing. I think we’re all looking for those little visual nuggets, unless you’re wandering around with your head in a phone, so to speak. We
“It’s murder on the dance floor,” as someone famously sang. Oh what was her name? I’ll not look it up, not cheating. I’ll just try and remember by the end of this post. “The camera never lies,” would be anoth
In the most literal sense, a ‘grab shot.’ Made en-route to Farnham Castle. I’m told I have a look of confusion sometimes, a mistaken interpretation of my face that I like to think is simply being ‘inquisitive’. I think w
What is and isn’t a portrait? I consider a portrait to be a declaration or perhaps even retrospective of the person or persons you’re making the picture of. The wedding days I shoot aren’t dictated or described by long portrait shoo
I’ve started to carry a few small prints with me when I photograph in church. It’s easier than it once was, but still there are times where as a photographer you may be viewed as ‘the one’ clergy eye with utter suspicion, bord
For someone who in his teens set out to become ‘King of the radio airwaves’ I think it’d be reasonably safe to assume life’s path in terms of career, took a rather contextually obscure left turn at the traffic lights. I seem t
For the past few years with each portfolio refresh I’ve discussed this picture with my wife. We have this ‘should it, should it not be’ conversation. “Well it’s not one of your more striking,” Sam will say. “