Mine & Thine is an award winning wedding photographer based in Yorkshire providing exciting, fun, colourful memories of your special day. James has been shooting weddings for over 14 years from enormous 3-day festival weddings to intimate elopement weddings with just two guests, he's created memories for all types of weddings.
Yorkshire Brides | Weddings popped James in the hot-seat!
How long have you been a Photographer within the Wedding Industry?
I shot my first wedding in 2010 whilst I was still in university studying photography in Leeds. I got very lucky that it was a cool couple having a very relaxed wedding - hay bales in the field, bbq family style dinner, it was perfect! I had no idea at the time that weddings could be like this but I was instantly hooked. I’ve been a wedding photographer ever since and have now shot close to 500 weddings.
How did you get into Photography?
My dad was a photographer so he was the inspiration. I went to art school to study art and photography at A level. I then managed a photo lab for a few years where I learned all about print quality before going back to study photography at undergraduate level. I’ve always loved learning and have since completed a Masters degree in Visual Arts and I’m about to finish my PhD in History of Art. I don’t think you need an arts education to be a good photographer but when I’m photographing weddings my art knowledge definitely feeds in to my work.
What would you describe your style as?
My style is led by the couples I like to attract. I love barn and farm weddings and I find the couples who have those kinds of weddings are looking for a more relaxed day, so my style fits that. I like my couples to spend as much time at the party as possible so that they can enjoy their day, that’s when I can capture all the natural shots of them just enjoying themselves. I don’t like to do any overly-posed portraits either. I want my couples to have fun with it, enjoy it and if they burst out laughing with awkwardness that’s even better - those photos are always honest and beautiful.
We love to ask this question....What is your favourite part of the wedding day?
I always love the portrait session. Its when a couple get their first break away from the chaos and they can focus on each other for the first time since the ceremony. I love those first few moments where they come together and bask in those newly married feelings. Its often a fleeting moment but it gives me the feels and always makes for a few beautiful photographs.
Describe your signature shot?
I don’t think I have one! I approach every wedding as a unique event with unique people, because that’s what it is. I would never want to pigeon hole my couples, or give them a cookie-cutter approach to wedding photography. I want couples to feel like they’ve had a personalised experience. Even when I’ve shot at a wedding venue a dozen times or more, I try and avoid doing the same thing twice. It means couples get something unique to them and it means I’m always in a creative headspace rather than going through the motions. That said, every couple gets photos of them laughing and having fun, so maybe that’s my signature style!?
When working with couples, what do you value the most?
Honesty and authenticity. I want my couples to feel like themselves. I want them to look at their photos and feel like they genuinely represent them as individuals and as a couple. I’ll never ask couples to do anything they wouldn’t normally do, or anything that makes them feel uncomfortable. This helps them have fun with their shoot and to feel like their authentic selves.
What can our couples expect from you on the day of the wedding?
The best feedback I can get from a couple after a wedding is ‘we barely noticed he was there.’ I do my best to blend in with your guests to capture the day as authentically as possible. But when it comes to group photos time - nobodies favourite part of the day! - I like to get these done quickly and get people back to enjoying the day. I like to be organised and get people in and out so that they’re not standing around waiting. Aside from that, I’m unobtrusive. It’s a word that gets thrown around a lot by wedding photographers but from the feedback I get from my couples, I think it’s something I do well.
Can you advise your booking process?
I like to have a chat with my couples first, especially if we’re creating a bespoke package to fit with their plans. Weddings are always different, so I’m always happy to make coverage fit individual plans. It’s just a payment and a signed contract to get a couple booked in. I always send a comprehensive questionnaire a couple of months before the day so I can make sure I know where to be and when. This helps me avoid having to come back to the couple on the day for info. I know what’s happening and they can just forget about running the day and enjoy themselves.
If you’re having a relaxed Yorkshire barn or farm wedding, doing things a bit DIY, or just making your day your own, I’d love to be involved.
Mine & Thine can be contacted by 07906 333 905 or via https://mineandthine.co.uk/
Photos provided by Mine & Thine
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