One of the best parts of the entire experience for me is the engagement shoot. I know it’s the same for my clients. They always walk away, about 1000 times happier, more relaxed and more in love with each other.

For me, it’s more relaxing than sitting by a pool in Hawaii. There’s nothing I love more than photographing people in love.

Mark & Amanda, you guys are legit, and it was a pleasure to hang out with you both!

James.

I am very excited to announce the next “Love 2 Day” Wedding Photography Workshop that will be held in Sydney on the 17th & 18th of August 2013.

Love 2 Day is a workshop that is aimed at photographers who would like to take their wedding photography to the next level.

There are 12 spaces available and once it’s sold out, that’s it. The last one sold out in 2 days. But who knows, maybe no one will want to come?

The primary focus of the workshop is client interaction and the techniques I use to bring out the best in people. There will be gorgeous couples to photograph and lots of 1 on 1 guidance from me.

I will personally teach you how to direct your clients in a way that is stress free and puts you in a zone where you can be creative, consistent and produce images that will leave your clients thinking that you are a genius.

We will be covering in depth the types of light I choose to shoot in and how to find them anywhere.

Together, we will play lots of games and I will give you challenges that will push you to create stronger imagery.

I understand it can be so daunting in your first few years of business. I’ve been there and come through the other side. I’ll tell you the mistakes I’ve made and how to avoid them. I’ll show you exactly how and why I do everything in my business. We’ll spend time dreaming & planning how you would like your photography business to support your chosen lifestyle.

You will also learn the steps to run a profitable business that also produces raving fans each and every time.

Surprises? You betcha. We’ll have surprise special guests joining us!

As well as all of this, I’ll be an open book. Any questions you have, I’ll answer.

Why am I doing this?
I’m passionate about teaching people how to create a business that serves their lifestyle and doing it in a way that supports the industry as a whole to grow and prosper so that we can all continue to have a sustainable business for many many years to come.

The dates:
17th & 18th of August 2013.

The times: 9am – 5pm (However we will probably go later!)

The location:
A gorgeous beach house in Stanwell Park (just south of Sydney)

The Cost:
$1500. A $500 non-refundable retainer is due to book your spot. On-site accommodation options will be available soon and will start from $50 for the entire length of the workshop. The $1500 will cover your tuition for both days as well as breakfast, lunch and snacks. My lovely wife Catherine will be in charge of all the food and looking after your needs! We’ll be dining out at the local restaurants for dinner.

How to book:
Head on over to – www.love2day.instaproofs.com

Can’t wait to meet you!

James.

I introduced Haley & Jarrad earlier when I shared their engagement photos. I shared how they were the couple that designed my current branding & website. They’ve become very good friends to me. They’re creative folks who care about aesthetics (their words), yet have a huge huge heart for the people in their life (my words – it was evident!). It made for an amazing wedding celebration.

Big props to Montrose Berry Farm in the southern highlands. It’s seriously one of the most amazing wedding locations out there.

Thank you also to Joshua Mikhaiel who assisted me at this wedding. Awesome dude!

A couple of years ago I was in Maui, photographing a wedding for Kristi & Richard and I promised myself that I’d come back some day for a holiday.

This week, I found myself once again in Maui. I love the way the locals say the word “Maui”, especially the girls. It’s almost like they sing it.

I can truly say that I love this place and feel so at home here.

Today Cath & I went to the top of Haleakala which is a 10000 foot mountain (extinct volcano) and without doubt it was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen. We were looking directly into the crater of a volcano. Seriously cool.

I can’t wait to come back. (hopefully for another wedding!)

This is a double exposure, done in camera on my little Olympus om-d travel camera.

James.

Hey Photographer friends, this post is for you!

In January 2012, I ventured down to Canberra to attend a workshop that would teach me about how to shoot film. I got so much more than I bargained for.

I ended up meeting a guy who has helped me like crazy and inspired me to bigger and better things. I met countless friends that I speak with every day. I also fell in love with shooting film. It all started here. I didn’t even know how to load a roll of medium format film when I arrived.

Jon Canlas is the guy who runs “Film is Not Dead”, which is a company that is equipping photographers worldwide with the skills they need to shoot film with confidence, make money and work on your artistic voice.

Apart from just being “The Film Guy”, Jon is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the wedding photography industry. So much so that he wrote a book called The FIND Biz Guide.

I bought the book about a month ago because it promised to help turn my business around if I put what I learnt into practice. I figured, my business was in pretty good shape, but there’s always room for improvement. It opened my eyes to the amount of crazy hours I work, what I’m sacrificing in order to do that and gave me literally hundreds of step by step instructions of what I can do to make some changes for the better.

It didn’t disappoint.

I read the book, have already put so many changes in place. It’s been interesting watching the improvement in customer satisfaction and the confidence I’ve gone about doing my day to day tasks too.

I’m just 28, but have been in business 10 years and this book has helped me like crazy. Friends of mine who are brand new to the wedding photography world have picked it up and have been absolutely blown away by the Gold Mine that is the Find Biz Guide.

I can say without reservation that if you’re shooting weddings (or even portraits for that matter), or are keen to get into it, then this book is for you.

Over the past month I’ve been busy telling everyone about this book, so much so that Jon actually offered to send my way a few bucks each time you buy a guide. If you purchase the guide through this link, and want to grab a coffee to chat about it and what changes you’ve made, it’ll be my shout. I’m keen to see the whole industry grow and am here to support you too.

After photographing an 11 hour wedding, having 1 hour sleep & driving 4 hours home, I had a Skype interview scheduled with Jon Canlas. Please excuse the tired James.

I feel like I’ve been forced to adapt a little, to become fascinated with the rain again, rather than seeing it as something to avoid. Luckily, my clients agree with me.

I am very excited to announce the next “Love 2 Day” Wedding Photography Workshop that will be held in Sydney on the 13th & 14th of July 2013.

Love 2 Day is a workshop that is aimed at photographers who would like to take their wedding photography to the next level.

There are 12 spaces available and once it’s sold out, that’s it.

The primary focus of the workshop is client interaction and the techniques I use to bring out the best in people. There will be gorgeous couples to photograph and lots of 1 on 1 guidance from me.

I will personally teach you how to direct your clients in a way that is stress free and puts you in a zone where you can be creative, consistent and produce images that will leave your clients thinking that you are a genius.

We will be covering in depth the types of light I choose to shoot in and how to find them anywhere.

Together, we will play lots of games and I will give you challenges that will push you to create stronger imagery.

I understand it can be so daunting in your first few years of business. I’ve been there and come through the other side. I’ll tell you the mistakes I’ve made and how to avoid them. I’ll show you exactly how and why I do everything in my business. We’ll spend time dreaming & planning how you would like your photography business to support your chosen lifestyle.

You will also learn the steps to run a profitable business that also produces raving fans each and every time.

Surprises? You betcha. We’ll have surprise special guests joining us!

As well as all of this, I’ll be an open book. Any questions you have, I’ll answer.

Why am I doing this?
I’m passionate about teaching people how to create a business that serves their lifestyle and doing it in a way that supports the industry as a whole to grow and prosper so that we can all continue to have a sustainable business for many many years to come.

The dates:
13th & 14th of July 2013.

The times: 9am – 5pm (However we will probably go later!)

The location:
A gorgeous beach house in Stanwell Park (just south of Sydney)

The Cost:
$1500. A $500 non-refundable retainer is due to book your spot. On-site accommodation options are available from $50 for the entire length of the workshop. The $1500 will cover your tuition for both days as well as breakfast, lunch and snacks. My lovely wife Catherine will be in charge of all the food and looking after your needs! We’ll be dining out at the local restaurants for dinner.

How to book:
Head on over to – www.love2day.instaproofs.com

Can’t wait to meet you!

James.

Haley & Jarrad aren’t only clients of mine, but I’m clients of theirs. They are actually the couple that designed this website and all the branding!

I had the pleasure of photographing their wedding at Montrose Berry Farm in Sutton Forrest just over a week ago, but I realised I haven’t even shared their engagement shoot yet! So, I tell you what, I’m going to give you a very quick sneak peek of their wedding first, then show you their engagement photos!

Check back next week to see their wedding in full!

now onto the engagement photos…