Hi there!
My name is Jay, welcome to my site. You have been lead here by magical pixies and unicorns, who have taken you unknowingly by the hand, and brought you to me and my work.. I like you, you have good taste :)
As you have clicked my about page, I really should open up and let you know about little old me.
I was born in a relatively small town in Somerset, and grew up in a loving, supportive environment that encouraged my artistic side. From a young age, I was encouraged to express how I felt through art. This support extended so much, that my mother put the wallpaper in my bedroom on backwards, in order to give me a massive canvas to draw on.
Oddness to greatness.
Growing up I was always a little odd. I found myself having a series of obsessions, which inspired me to absorb anything I could about those topics. The things which I enjoyed, stuck in my mind. I have a capacity to learn about things to a level deep enough, that I can educate others to a high standard.
Of course, later in my life, this special power was given a name - Asperger’s Syndrome.
I am high functioning, so it took a long time for it to be recognised. These days I view it like my own, personal superpower. Of course, it has some downsides, such as being somewhat socially awkward, and this is where my art comes in.Art, for me, is my way of communicating with the world. It allows me to express how I view the world, and how I feel.
Turns out, I am actually pretty good at it!
My life in pictures.
Once I became confident in my photography, I started to believe that I could help others through my passion. As an aspie you develop a keen eye for detail and strive for perfection at all stages of the process. From the choice of len, through to lighting and mood, how you process the image; all the way through to who prints it. I care about these things deeply, because ultimately it affects the image you see and the story it tells.
During my journey as an artist I have tried many styles, learned many tricks of the trade and have become extremely proficient at editing. In the end, I discovered that the magic happens at the point of capture. So my style reflects this and I try to keep things as unedited as possible. Of course, there are times when editing is needed. We’ve all had a spot rear its ugly head on the night before a photoshoot! However, as a massive proponent of body confidence, body beautiful I do not want you to look at an image and say “I am only lovely when my image is edited.” I want you to think “I am beautiful, regardless.”
About my style
I have a style that is ever changing. Sometimes I like things really hard hitting, other times I prefer a more natural, floaty look. It really comes down to the person in front the camera. Sometimes it’s model’s personal preference to be seen in a certain way, it is your journey! I am just here to help you walk it.
It is my belief that art is not something temporary, something to upload to social media, to be remembered once a year. Real art is something different, real art is something that makes you feel. Real artists spend time on their craft, honing it, working on getting better all the time.
About my studio
My studio is situated in Blackpool town centre, just off Abingdon Street; in what I consider, the art hub of Blackpool. The building happens to be the old rock factory, and has the entire external wall covered in graffiti courtesy of the very talented artists who take part in Blackpool’s Sun, Sea, Spray festival.
The building is home to a whole bunch of crazy, artistic types - from painters and sculptors to a screen print studio. Needless to say, you feel the art happening from the moment you walk in the door, to the moment you leave.
My studio is situated on the third floor, with toilets and brew making facilities. It is a decent sized studio and is equipped with multiple backdrops; including various colours and patterns and monochrome. There is also a graffiti wall, for those that want a bit more of an edge to the photos we produce. Also, in the studio, you will find my flower wall.
What is that? Well, I spent about 5 hours making a wall that has roughly 200 red and white silk roses nestled in foliage, with butterflies flying between them. The wall is about 8 inches thick and gives a unique backdrop to images, which you will not find at another studio. Aside from that, I have a selection of fabrics and props that can be used to add something a little different or interesting to a shoot.
If you would rather not shoot in the studio, Blackpool and the surrounding area has some great locations just waiting to be explored. From Stanley Park to the Promenade, or further afield in St. Annes and Lytham. I love shooting outdoors and I am happy to offer this option to you.