Neale James Wedding Photographer

(15)
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  • £1,650Price from
  • 50+Weddings shot
As one of the UK's more prolific wedding photographers, Neale, a former broadcaster and Radio 1 presenter has developed a strong documentary style, telling the real story of a couple's day.
Neale James Wedding Photographer Pricing & Costs

Pricing for suppliers

Prices Start at
£1,650
Neale James Wedding Photographer Details

Photography Style

Documentary

Products and Services

Bridal Prep Shots
Back-Up Equipment
Online Proofing
Photo Printing
Flexible Hours on the Day
Stay Through Speeches
Stay Through Dancing
Online Shop
Second Shooter Available
Wedding Albums
Personal Online Gallery
Pre-Wedding Consultation
Digital Editing / Airbrushing
Images on USB
Neale James Wedding Photographer Full Description
“I'm fascinated by a documentary approach during the weddings I photograph. I see myself as a witness, if you like; the couples’ eyes. I don’t dictate the day or take hours away from a couple for formulaic posed photographs, I prefer to document what I see in real time. Emotionally, a wedding day is a truly special event and though it could be argued they all follow some kind of structure, it's the people that make these 'never to be repeated' occasions so unique. That's what drives me to work the way I do and photograph weddings in the fashion I do. During the few moments I’m called upon to photograph family or bridal portraits, I still choose to subtly record these legacy pictures so as not to impose. Six years ago I also began to record the sound from a day to play back within a stylised slideshow called the Wedding Photofilm. It's been an incredible privilege to pioneer this style of film, where stills and sound combine to create a kind of digital album by way of short movies and it's led to clients around the World commissioning me to make a documentary of their day. Our albums also champion a unique approach, where the speeches, readings, and ceremony are recounted as text within the display of pictures on each page. A documentary or reportage approach has and will continue to be a strong characteristic of how I work and I look forward to talking with more couples as they plan their own big day!

Personal Message from the Manager

Name of Wedding Contact: Neale James
Hi and thanks for dropping by to take a glimpse at my wedding portfolio. If I can be of any help with any wedding related questions, dive in and ask. I often think photographers would make reasonably good wedding planners; we see such a lot in day! Having photographed 700+ weddings in my career I'd love to talk about your own planned day. Kindest, Neale

Experience

Year Business Was Established
2004
No. of Weddings Hosted
More than 50
Public Liability Insurance
Yes
No. of People In Team
2
Reviews
(15)
Mireille
Happy couple married in September
September 2016
Neale James was the most wonderful professional we worked with...
Neale James was the most wonderful professional we worked with for our wedding! He listened well to our vision, advised us thoughtfully, was organised, timely, always delivered on what he said he would, and was calm, confident and modest. On the day he was totally unobtrusive but always there to capture the joy and love around us. He worked skilfully with the lighting on the day to produce the most beautiful images and tear-moving smile-bringing photo film that we will treasure forever.
Emma-Jane
Happy couple married in September
September 2016
We are absolutely delighted with our photos from Neale...
We are absolutely delighted with our photos from Neale - he captured our day perfectly as there seems to be someone laughing in every single shot! He was totally unobtrusive to the point that thinking back we had no idea where he was for most of the day, yet he seems to have got amazing photos from all angles. He was quick and efficient with the formal" ones and made everyone feel very comfortable. We received nearly 400 finished photos which is incredible and we love all of them."
Nick
Happy couple married in August
August 2016
It goes without saying that we were absolutely delighted with...
It goes without saying that we were absolutely delighted with the photographs that Neale captured of our wedding. His beautiful images tell the story of our day, from start to finish, and enable us to re-live the happiest day of our lives that was over all-too-quickly. Beyond the photography itself, Neale has an easy charm and professionalism that makes him a pleasure to deal with.
Emma
Happy couple married in July
July 2016
Neale was the perfect photographer for our day...
Neale was the perfect photographer for our day - neither of us like posed photographs and he did such a great job of ghosting around in the background capturing some brilliant moments that helped us see how much our guests enjoyed the day. Thanks neale!
Dominic
Happy couple married in July
July 2016
Neale did a really good job of capturing the parts...
Neale did a really good job of capturing the parts of our wedding that we don't see, and all our guests were very complimentary of him as with the exception of the group shot, he blends into the background. We're very pleased with the photos. I wouldn't hesitate to choose Neale again (not that I plan on getting married again!)
Tanya
Happy couple married in July
July 2016
Neale was a pleasure to work with from the start...
Neale was a pleasure to work with from the start. He immediately put us at ease, provided sound advice, was very professional in his dealings with us, and on the day blended in well without being too obtrusive. He really captured the key elements of our wedding - the expressions, emotions, vibe, party atmosphere, etc. We were so pleased to get the photos and relive the day. I'd thoroughly recommend him.
Neale James Wedding Photographer Location & Contact Details

Address

Thatcham, Berkshire, England

Travel Notes

We're on the crossroads of the UK really with the A34 running north and south, and M4 heading west and east. Thatcham and Newbury stations are both close too.

Nearest Town

Newbury

Nearest Motorway & Junction

M4 junctions 12 and 13

Nearest Train Station

Thatcham

Nearest Airport

Heathrow

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Neale James Wedding Photographer Press & Awards
(8)

Press & Awards (5)

Professional Photographer
Brides Magazine
Cosmopolitan
Conde Nast bride
Rangefinder magazine

Industry Awards (2)

The Wedding Industry Awards - Best Wedding Photographer London South East 2014
Twice named in the 'Top Wedding Photographers of the World' list - Junebug

Accreditations (1)

Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers
Frequently Asked Questions
(10)

What is your most memorable wedding?

It would be almost impossible to choose a favourite of course, but there are many memories. My travels to weddings abroad and all the cultural adventures. Most of my fondest memories come from short fleeting moments, like a father who read his daughter a poem during the wedding ceremony, that he'd written on the day she was born. Not a dry eye in the house.

Describe your style in 5 adjectives.

Documentary, unobtrusive, considered, observational, emotional.

What about your business are you most proud of?

That I'm trusted; trusted to photograph what is undoubtedly one of the most precious and important days in a couple's and family's history. There's a real legacy in being a wedding photographer and that's what make me proud.

What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?

Keep calm and get married! I see many people try to cram too much into a day. Keep it simple even if you're planning a lavish event. It's the simplicity of a day that makes a wedding really sing.

What is your favourite personal touch you have seen at a wedding?

So many. I saw a nice touch recently where the couple had fashioned a Lego figure for each of their guests. I didn't know there were so many bespoke pieces for Lego figures!

Describe your typical process with a couple.

Many couples will elect to communicate with my via Skype or phone and I guess that's because they all lead such full on work lives. But I'm equally happy to meet with couples to primarily discuss their day and hopes. We'll talk photography and style and as the wedding approaches I like to learn a little more about who'll be going, if there's a story behind anyone or anything at the wedding. My style is observational so holding lots of long and complex wedding meetings isn't really necessary. Following the wedding, photographs are prepared and presented in a private online gallery from where we can plan albums and frames if required.

What is the No. 1 photo that you think every couple should take?

It's always a big natural moment, but not necessarily from the same part of a wedding. For some couples, the first glimpse in a church is priceless. For others it can be an exchanged glance during the service, or the emotion presented by the speeches.

What is the most original photo you’ve been asked to take at a wedding?

I like natural moments, so perhaps this isn't so relevant to me. I'm often asked to capture particular people for all sorts of reasons. I guess each of those would be original in their own right.

What do you recommend for a rainy day wedding?

Just remember that PEOPLE make a wedding, not the rain. We don't live in California. It rains in this country, rather a lot sometimes, so you just have to embrace it; it was part of your day.

Describe how you got into photography.

It was a gentle transition really from radio broadcasting to photography. There was no sudden thing or signature moment, it was gentle and organic development really.

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