Tasoulla
By nealejames | February 28, 2008
The setting was a superb restaurant in Camden called Gilgamesh. I’ve certainly never set foot in a restaurant quite like it; I’ve certainly not seen bespoke wood carving of the quantity and quality on display in an eaterie. Trust me, I’m a man who likes his food - so it takes something for the furnishings to affect me quite the way Gilgamesh did. The influences are a real mixture of Far East meets Goa meets… and so on. The restaurant was bathed in a mixture of soft pin spot illumination and natural light from large windows looking out on to Camden’s famous market, some of which sadly disappeared under a blanket of flames only a fortnight or so ago. I knew instantly that I would be setting the strobe units aside that I had brought along, to favour utilising the natural and artifical light offered up by the location.
The shoot was to build musician Tasoulla’s pictorial portfolio. Her voice is rightly described as ‘youthful Bassey’ with the range and pitch Mariah boasts. She’s got incredible presence on camera and to be fair, did not need too much direction. As a photographer, I work in a somewhat more subtle way than some of my peers. There’s no right or wrong way, there’s just ‘my way’ when I photograph. It works for some snappers to bark orders at their subjects. I prefer mature reassurance, where between capturing each frame you’ll look up and comment on how good the images are turning out, or how well the subject is ‘performing,’ without the requirement for me as a photographer to dance across the set like a Whirling Dervish, shouting “BELLISSIMO BELLISSIMO!!!”
Incidentally, Tasoulla was that close to being the voice behind the Bond theme for Casino Royale. A little birdie tells me that we should watch this space for the next time!
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Connor’s shoot
By nealejames | January 26, 2008
We’re always trying new approaches at Breathe to produce portraits that are unique and unusual. Here’s Connor. His mum MJ is a good supporter of our work, so thanks for the opportunity ‘guys,’ and I hope you like the results.
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Ashley Bruce shoot at Reading’s Forbury Hotel
By nealejames | January 25, 2008
Last July we shot some cover images for Ashley’s forthcoming 2008 material. Ashley Bruce is a Reading based musician trying to carve out a career in the world of music. The photography was captured in Reading’s luxury Forbury Hotel. My favourite image from the shoot remains the picture above. The Forbury has some fabulous backdrops within it’s four walls; this image being taken under ‘natural light’ conditions only in the hotel’s private cinema. Best of luck Ash for this year, I hope it’s the year you finally get a deserved contract.
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A rainy wedding in Swindon town
By nealejames | December 29, 2007
For any couples with a slight concern over what the good ole British weather will do on their wedding day, take a leaf out of the Zachans’ book. Ashley and Clare were hosting their wedding day in Clare’s original town of residence, Swindon. The couple now live in New Zealand and were back to share part one of their wedding celebrations with British family. Friday December the 28th, 2007 in Wiltshire was not exactly the kindest day on the year’s weather diary. By 3pm, the time of the couple’s ceremony, the rain was appearing in sheets. But, and this is one stormlashed ‘but’… far from letting the rainfall dampen any spirits, Ashley and Clare embraced the storm as part of their wedding day. They informally gathered outside the reception venue with their wedding party to howl with laughter as the rain descended at right angles in the strong wind. It was one of those moments where everyone forgot about neatly pressed suits and beautifully presented wedding dresses, to just BE. The photographs that resulted show a couple totally at one with their day. A set of pictures that demonstrates spirit is what makes a day special and not tailoring. Congratulations guys; I only wish I could be with you for part 2 in NZ.
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Three August weddings in a row
By nealejames | August 26, 2007
August is always a traditionally busy month in our diary. Friday 24th we found ourselves in Hampshire at Lainston House Hotel near Winchester for Karen Williams and Mark Forrester’s wedding. This hotel boasts a number of celebrity regulars who literally fly in on an adhoc basis, popping their Jetrangers down on to the croquet lawn. Saturday’s wedding was closer to home at the Vineyard Hotel in Stockcross, Berkshire. This is a relatively compact, but exclusive top class venue, owned by Sir Peter Michael. The bridal couple, Tony and Clare are pictured above at the entrance to the hotel. Later on, I whisked Clare away from the party for fifteen minutes or so to produce some surprise photographs in low light.
Finally on Sunday 26th, we were back in what I often refer to in ‘footie speak,’ as our home ground; Silchester House. Having enjoyed our own wedding reception at this venue, it feels very comfortable to return. Michala Alexander and Paul Wardell got wed at 2pm, and in the shade of Silchester’s tree lined rear gardens made their speeches prior to the wedding breakfast. A really relaxed and fantastic wedding, congratulations Mr and Mrs Wardell. Oh, and lest I forget, Paul had one surprise up his sleeve for the first dance, he joined the band! Some good drumming Sir!
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Beautiful day at Bodridis
By nealejames | August 11, 2007
We travelled to North Wales for this wedding, the bride’s childhood hometown. Bodridis Hall was the venue. We haven’t exactly been blessed with the finest weather this year, so a day of sunshine and a balmy evening for the reception was very welcome. Congratulations Duncan and Vickie.
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A real wedding party!
By nealejames | August 4, 2007
You get out of life what you put in etc. That’s never more true than when you witness a fantastic party atmosphere building at a wedding. Today we photographed Neil and Emma’s wedding in Berkshire. The guests threw themselves into the day 100% and that’s when a reception can become a real celebration. Clearly a little of the ‘falling down juice’ goes a little way to assist. Neil being a Scot insisted on a kilted affair and all the groomsmen seemed happy to oblige. And the ’sans underwear’ rule? Well, see for yourself!
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Ceremony in the garden
By nealejames | June 2, 2007
Well after a week of such extreme rain and winds, the expectation of a dry Saturday for the marriage between Adam Carysforth and Sally Atherton at Broome Park in Kent, was not exactly high. But upon waking early to make our departure for the ‘Garden of England,’ it was decidedly different to the preceding six days. Infact the closer we got to the county, the sunnier it became. And so we arrived at the 268 acre Broome Park estate, once owned by Lord Kitchener, he of World War 1 poster fame, you remember the one; “Your Country Needs You,” bathed in glorious sunshine. We have never photographed at this venue before and we had been told by the couple, that this venue is certainly a dry weather one, since the ceremony ideally is hosted outdoors in a magnificent garden, in the shadow of an Italian temple. It must be one of the most beautiful outdoor ceremony venues I have had the pleasure to photograph in and I am only pleased that we enjoyed a turn in the weather. Congratulations Adam and Sally, I’ve just had a first peak at all the shots from today; I’m looking forward to designing a fabulous album for you. And I must say thanks too to Pete and Cathy Bowers, guests and friends of Adam and Sally, for recommending us following your own wedding. It was great to be among friends again.
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Cross processing and Mars Bars
By nealejames | June 2, 2007
Okay, imagine this. You take one perfectly good Mars Bar available at all good confectionary outlets and pop it in your fridge. Chill it, don’t freeze it. Mix some flour and baking soda, add a little beer, then mix until you get a batter like consistency. Heat some oil. Liberate your Mars from the fridge and coat in batter. Now carefully lower this confused culinary delight into the oil and fry until golden brown. Voila; the famous Mars Bar in batter. Really, only fish should be caked in batter and plunged into boiling vats of oil, surely?! You’re doing things the wrong way round when you cross the savoury frying rule yes? Well, no actually. Some things in life just don’t look like they should mix, but boy do they work! Funnily enough in photographic land, cross processing works in a similar fashion. Take a colour print film and instead of processing it in a mixture of chemicals tried and tested for the purpose, dip it into chemicals designed to process an entirely different flavour of film, namely colour reversal (or slide film). You get superb hues, plus unnatural colours and the contrast zips up in to produce incredibly mysterious results. In 2007 of course with digital workflow, computer programs can yield similar results - and the image here shows one of my favourite photographs from a wedding shot at Highclere Castle in Berkshire. Look how her blue eyes dance into the picture and how the roses are deep and luxurious in both texture and colour. We’ve been working hard on this album which pulls similar effects into the mix. It’s almost ready for collection and I can’t wait to show the bride and groom. Oh, by the way, it’s worth pointing out that a fried Mars Bar is 1,000 calories plus. Just thought I’d mention that for those on the Weightwatchers points plan.
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Parents, the real workers
By nealejames | June 1, 2007
We’re not as yet blessed with the patter of little feet, but fear not ‘Mother in Law,’ our plans to keep you occupied of a Saturday when we’re out as husband and wife photographing weddings are underway! We clearly spend a lot of time in the company of children, as the family and schools side of our business is a strong part of our operation at Breathe. The wife and I, sounding like I’m at the starting line of a wedding speech, would like to think that we’re the hardest working adults on the circuit. But nothing reminds us quicker that the juggling practised by parents is a step up from where we stand today, when we watch our friends with their bundles of delight. Sam’s good friend Sophie dropped by for a couple of days Thursday through Friday with her three young lads! When I say dropped by, I fear I actually mean ‘invaded.’ If the energy of three lads aged 15 months, 4 and 7 could be harnessed in some fashion, government policy on green issues would be assisted immesurably. Joking aside, fab to see you all - and we even had a chance to grab some pics at the studio. Here’s Morgan, the eldest, enjoying a few short seconds of quiet. When children depart from the scene of devastation, they leave little presents. I’ve realised why I’m shifting so uncomfortably in my seat this evening. That’ll be the toy laser gun then.
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