Nature itself creates the most beautiful pictures, I only choose the perspective...

I'm an award winning professional editorial photojournalist with twenty-five years experience across the UK and Europe. Now semi-retired to the west coast of Scotland my shooting has returned to a social and leisure activity focused on upskilling in hi-end beauty retouching, shooting portfolio and social media content for collaborating models.  I shoot now simply to maintain and develop photo software skills; consequently these images are not for sale or commercial purposes.

Trained by Paul Delmar under the N.C.T.J. Programme based in Sheffield and graduated winning the 1989 Dennis Steven Award for student portfolio of the year.
 Thereafter, based in Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham and latterly London, I worked on staff for the Mercury Press and London News Service agencies as a commissioned and freelance contributor to UK regional and national newspapers.

Latterly, while Deputy Picture Desk Editor with The (Evening) News, Portsmouth I made a lifestyle change and relocated to France, enjoying winters in Courchevel and summers in St Tropez. I spent ten years working as a people and location photographer for the brochures and websites of independent UK tour operators.
  • Hand Retouch

  • Studio - colour

  • Studio - mono

  • Tourism

  • Newspapers

  • Shibari

  • Ayrshire, Scotland, United Kingdom

 I had the privilege of working with James recently and cannot recommend him highly enough. I am relatively new to modelling and as such was a little apprehensive pre shoot. However, James helped me feel totally at ease and helped direct me through different styles/lighting/shots when I was uncertain. He helped me feel incredibly confident in not only myself, but also for future shoots to come with the knowledge and experience I have gained from this shoot/his direction. Communication pre and post shoot were faultless. James exudes clear talent and enjoyment in his work and I have walked away with an incredible and memorable experience. The images I have received are beautiful and clearly highlight a great deal of time/effort on behalf of James in producing such high quality images. A true professional- thank you again 

Christi Hannah
Model & Solicitor

 I had my first shoot/rope session with James yesterday and I must say I really enjoyed the experience. Communication pre-shoot was really good. James was a very nice host and he made sure I felt comfortable and at ease all the time. He is very talented, his rope skills are great and so are his photography skills. Even though it was my first time doing suspension rope, he made me feel safe and relaxed. The pictures we got are fantastic and really creative and I am really pleased with the results. I would highly recommend working with James. 

Stephanie Alejo
Cabin Crew / Model

 Had a wonderful shoot with James. Communication before the shoot was excellent. During the actual shoot he knew exactly what he was looking for and gave very clear feedback and direction to achieve the images he was after. The images I've received so far are very strong, so trust his direction! Happy to recommend him to anyone, as he is a true professional. Looking forward to working with him again! 

Melissa McMillan
Actress

 This was my first time working James and communication before the shoot was amazing and we discussed everything about the shoot and what I wanted to achieve from it. As it had been a few years still I had done shibari work, and back then it was only really a taster, James took great care to explain everything in great detail so I understood every step of the process. His main concern was always for my health and safety and to ensure I was comfortable at all times. James provided a very memorable and enjoyable experience for me and I learnt a lot from the experience and you can truely see his years of experience through working with him. James made me feel very comfortable and the loved seeing the results. I would highly recommend James to anyone interested in this artform. 

Christine Cargill

 I have an amazing time, really comfortable to work with. The time pass by so fast and the pictures are beautiful. Highly recommend James and can't wait to work together again ☺️ 

Desiree Contioso

 I've now had a couple of amazing rope shoots now with James I can say it's been an absolute pleasure. As a newbie to the world of Shibari and photo shoots I was nervous at the start but James' put me right at ease with his professionalism, concern for my safety while in his rope and his playful mannerisms right from the initial communication. James' dedication before and during the shoot, to make sure we both agreed on expectations and what we hoped to achieve, created a memorable and enjoyable experience in a safe and comfortable environment. James' passion for photography was a delight to see throughout the shoot and the shots I received very soon after showcased years of experience. I have so much appreciation for what he does, the photos I received have made me feel beautiful and confident, which is no easy feat for me and every time I look at them I'll cherish the memories. I would highly recommend James. 

Jade

 “Had a fab shoot with James. He was so detailed and created and managed expectations from the get go. He took time in putting together a full call sheet which we spoke through over the phone giving me the opportunity to ask questions, clarify how and what we were trying to achieve and be reassured that we were on the same page looking for the same result. Shoot day was relaxed and full of laughs... James came with some secret creative ideas which was great fun! He gave me really valuable tips on how things look through the lens and personal features, angles and details to consider or focus on. Post shoot communication was just as open as pre-shoot. James put so much time and effort into getting re-touched pictures over to me and they did not disappoint! Massive thanks for the copious amounts of coffee and looking forward to more creative shoots. 

Rowena (surname withheld on request)

 "For my first ever rope shoot this was a really good experience. Communication was effective right from the start, with a detailed discussion in advance to establish the aesthetic I wanted to achieve. On the day it quickly became clear that James is as experienced and inventive with rope as he is behind the camera, and we achieved far more than I expected from working with a new rigger for the first time. I can’t fault his professionalism and attention to detail and am so delighted with the quality and quick turnaround of the finished photos. "Thank you! 

Lindsay

 Casting call with Megan Mitchell Had great pleasure shooting with James. We had casting at his cozy studio in Kilmarnock. Easy to work with, surprising yet beautiful results. I recommend James as a friendly and professional person to collaborate with. Thanks Megan 

Megan Mitchell
Fashion Model

 Absolutely thrilled to share my experience working with James. I had the opportunity to collaborate on a recent photoshoot, and I must say, it was an absolute delight from start to finish. His talent is truly remarkable, and the results speak for themselves. The photo shoot was an absolute delight, and the high-quality images they produced exceeded all of my expectations. Not only is James exceptionally skilled, but their professionalism and enthusiasm were also truly impressive. The shoot was an enjoyable and smooth process, and their warm and friendly demeanour made me feel at ease throughout. The final images were nothing short of exceptional. The attention to detail and creativity that went into each shot was truly remarkable. The final product was of the highest quality, and I couldn't be happier with the results. The final editing of the images truly sets him apart as a photographer. I highly recommend James to anyone in need of a talented and dedicated photographer. You won't be disappointed! Thank you, for your amazing work and the beautiful images you created. I look forward to our next collaboration. 

 "My first session with James was fantastic. He is clearly a man with a lot of experience. Prior to shooting, we spent hours on the phone discussing concepts we would like to work on, what hadn't worked out in my earlier Shibari collaborations with other people and how we could learn from this. During shooting, James always asked about my wellbeing, which made me feel safe and comfortable the entire time. He was very quick at editing the shots and even returned some finished photographs in the same day " 

Ella (surname witheld on request)

 “I’ve known James for over three years now and he’s a pleasure to shoot with. He is always professional, warm, chatty and interested in me as a person, not just a mannequin. Always well organised with good communication he looks for all models to give input and ideas right from the start, that helps me know what I need to take to shoots. His new studio facility that shows the pics on a screen while they are taken really helps inspire confidence and makes it easier to understand directions. I've no hesitation recommending him, he's a great photographer with great attention to detail and superb after shoot editing. Highly recommend James” 

Chrissie Smith

 Shooting headshots with James was such a great experience, his 30 yrs experience shows. Such a professional and I learned so much from him. He gave good directions and I felt safe. As a woman you always feel slightly vulnerable in a studio situation, especially when it’s a man who’s shooting you, but James made me feel comfortable and was open to my ideas too. Such a gentleman. 

Jacqueline Findlay

 “Had a first shoot with James and felt at ease straight away. Great communication before the shoot, sending me a detailed casting sheet and mood board then arranging my travel and picking me up from station. He was very professional and attentive which made me feel much more confident as the day progressed. James is very thorough when taking pictures and you’re guaranteed to walk away with great shots. I would definitely recommend working with him if you get the chance.” Thanks much, Rosie 

Mollie Rose Sykes

 “In my first ever rope photo shoot I found James was very professional with a bit of playful cheekiness. This was a fun experience that I would absolutely recommend for all. James clearly has a wealth of Shibari knowledge and was very patient when answering my many questions. I love the photographs, which arrived in a really quick turn around from shoot to receiving the completed edits.” — Lizzie 

Elizabeth Williams
Shibari Model

 “I had the pleasure of shooting with James and Red_Kali at James’ studio.The purpose of the shoot was to an insight into fetish photography with James acting as a rigger but also providing help and assistance throughout the shoot. The day went exceptionally well with James and Red_Kali going above and beyond to ensure that I captured the images that I was looking for. I strongly recommend James to all models wanting to shoot anything from portraits to fetish, you will not be disappointed!” Regards, CharlieC 

Charles Campbell
Photographer

 “Pre-shoot communication with James before the shoot was very good. We had a conversation by phone about what we wanted to accomplish and made the arrangements without any fuss.The shoot itself was in two parts, with the first section finding James taking on the challenge of taking portrait shots of me, an area which is rather outside of my comfort zone. He was enthusiastic, encouraging and gave lots of helpful direction. In the second part of the shoot, he acted as the rigger, whilst another photographer captured his handiwork. James worked tirelessly, both on the ropework and the studio set-up, and we were able to accomplish lots of different sets.It was a very enjoyable day that simply flew past. Special mention for the copious amounts of tea and the tasty chocolate ginger biscuits. Thank you James!” — Red_Kali 

Lynsey
Shibari Model

 “My daughter and I have met with James on two occasions and can highly recommend his work and professionalism.James is an excellent communicator and ensured we spent time discussing expectations and goals before we met, answering all our questions. We both immediately felt at ease and confident we had chosen a knowledgeable photographer. On arrival at his studio, we were impressed with the high-tech computing, lighting and camera set up, as well as the comfortable surroundings which include a changing room, toilet and refreshments. Throughout the photoshoot James displayed a calm and reassuring manner putting my seventeen year old at ease. He was very clear in his directions; vital, I believe, for a first-time model which helped build her confidence. He works incredibly hard to get the right shot and as a result I feel captured my daughter looking relaxed and confident in a diverse range of images.James puts a lot of work in behind the scenes and this was obvious from the start. His enthusiasm and dedication meant editing work started immediately after the shoot and in so doing got photographs over to us very quickly. His planning, clear communication and photographic skill has produced a portfolio of photographs that have delighted. I would not hesitate to recommend James" — Carol-Anne Crawford (mother) 

Katelyn Crawford
Teen Model

 “I've had the pleasure of shooting with James a couple of times so far. As someone who's fairly new to modelling and having never done a shibari or nude shoot before, James was incredibly supportive of me and helped me to feel comfortable at all times. His preparation for shoots is always thorough and he will make sure that we have spoken about everything we plan on doing before the day of the shoot. He always ensures I'm comfortable with what we have planned and will ask for my input on ideas which is always appreciated. During shoots he is always attentive and makes sure I'm feeling ok and am happy with what we're doing. He's great at giving direction and has helped build my confidence in modelling by giving me tips and advice wherever needed. I really enjoyed working with James - through our collaboration I think we've made some incredible pictures and I can't wait to work with him again!” — Trixxi_bella 

Jess (surname withheld on request)
Glamour Model

 “I have been working regularly with James for eighteen months. He was my first proper photographer and he put me at ease right from our first message and telephone conversation, ensuring I was aware of both our expectations even before arranging a shoot. James is entirely professional in approach, both in preparation, involving an exchange of visual ideas and also toward his photography on the day. The studio space is well equipped with separate changing/chill area with TV, tea or coffee with dark chocolate gingers are always on hand. While shooting James is relaxed, friendly and encouraging, offering helpful tips and tricks; which to this newbie was vital. He’s a passionate guy, if a little inclined toward perfectionism but clearly enjoys his work, always going the extra mile to ensure his models are comfortable and confident in front of the camera and then with the images he produces and delivers very quickly after the shoot. He seems to spend a great deal of time editing and processing through each image. Please note his policy is that models always come with a chaperone.” 

Kathryn (surname withheld on request)

 "It was a positive experience working with James. His communication beforehand was smooth and I really appreciated his patient guidance and encouragement during the shoot. He also shared with me tonnes of advice on how to become a better model. A polite and charming man that I totally enjoyed working with and I would highly recommend him to all other newcomer or amateur models" 

Brett Lane
Builder

 “I’ve now worked with James on two occasions, both have been a great success. Although I was a bit nervous at the start of our first shoot, James was able to very quickly deal with those nerves and put me at ease. He continued to help me feel comfortable through out the whole process, giving me direction and using a lighthearted approach to relax me and improve my confidence. As you can see on my profile we have produced some great pictures. My third shoot is already in my diary and I look forward to visiting the studio again very soon” 

Amy Gosling

 “I’m very new to this modelling lark and was more than a little bit nervy before my first shoot with James but his phone call to me during the week before meeting really helped. Not being used to the flash lighting and gadgety equipment in the studio was quite terrifying at first but Jameses manner was very good to get me more relaxed. Seeing the photos coming direct from the camera on a big screen in the studio - and on my friends phone - also helped boost my confidence. I’ve been really pleased with how the photos turned out and amazed that he was able to edit and send them out so quickly. I’d certainly recommend James work and I’m now much more positive about my next photoshoot.” 

Jane Emerson
Model

 “I felt completely comfortable before the shoot due to a phone call to discuss shoot details and then on the day of the shoot I felt supported and relaxed thanks to the professionalism. Would absolutely recommend.” — Bethany 

Bethany Stevenson

 “James is an amazing and talented photographer. Definitely the most professional photographer I have worked with. He is organised and has the studio set up when you arrive. He gave me direction, which I hadn’t really had before so it was really nice shooting with someone who knew what they wanted. He makes you feel comfortable at all times and is always cracking jokes... he will even make you a tea or coffee.The pictures I received are not like any I have had before. I highly recommend a shoot with James. Thank you again for a great day and for the amazing pictures.” 

Emma Neason
Receptionist

 “Had such a good time doing a portrait shoot. James made me feel at ease from the start. Proper planning and prepping before the shoot and had great communication. Directed and learned me a lot from the few hours we worked together. Highly recommend this photographer, his work is amazing and really does take the time to make it just perfect. Thank you. Look forward to working together hopefully in the near future” 

Tracey Logan
FT Mother