Session Guide 2025 MJ
Martin PhotographyJames
About Me.
My name is Martin, I am an international awarded Photographer and I have a genuine love for everything photography.
I am a self confessed perfectionist when it comes to my photography and I strive to improve my knowledge at every opportunity. Although sometimes it’s the moments and situations that catch you off guard that offer the best emotions, which is what I love most. Capturing that moment in a memory that will last a lifetime is something special for me.
Family is my heart, soul and drive in life, no matter what it can throw at you at times it’s getting through it together that makes being part of it so special. We love our holidays together and adventures, whether it’s up a mountain, through a forest or relax on a beach, you can’t beat time together.
In my spare time I’m usually practicing different photography techniques or getting out on my road bike, although I have become a bit of a ‘fair weather’ cycler as I get older.
I have been in love with photography ever since I purchased my first ‘proper’ camera more than 15 years ago, back then it was just something to capture my beautiful family growing up, then it became a hobby but now it’s a passion that drives me to be the best I can at everything I do.
1.
If you are interested in a photographic experience you are probably wondering on the next steps?
We will make contact with each other either by email, messenger or a good old chat on the phone at a convenient time for us both.
Once we establish a few more particulars around your expectations, and mine we can book in for the session and agree on your personalised investment and date. This is the first step in ensuring you are on track to get the beautiful wall art that you will cherish forever!
3.
On the day we will spend around 15 minutes talking and checking everyone is in a happy place ready to make some special memories, the session itself will last anywhere between 1-2 hours but will never feel rushed. We can take it at a pace that everyone feels comfortable with, we want everyone to feel relaxed and enjoy every second.
5.
2.
Nearer the time of the session we will liaise further around what to expect on the day and how best to prepare. Sessions work best when everyone involved is aware from the beginning of any specific requirements.
Fail to prepare and prepare to fail after all.
4.
After the session I will then re-touch all the pieces of art to a high standard, we can then arrange to meet for the ‘Big Reveal’ at a time and place convenient for you. This will be the first time you see the re-touched wall art, however on the day of the session you will see some in the RAW format (un-edited).
Once you are happy with the final investments, we will communicate further together to decide which area of your home you want to present your wall art in. We can work closely together to arrange for them to be professionally printed, mounted and framed in a wide range of styles to get you the stunning wall art you desire.
Every budget is different, so it is important we are transparent with each other around your intentions with your wall art and how best to have them displayed.
You can expect to invest anywhere from £150-£600 for a standard session with fully re-touched, Mounted and Framed pieces of wall art. On the day of the session we will capture around 50+ images, with around 10-20 being fully re-touched in stunning fashion. We then have options for either single aperture prints or multi aperture depending on what size your after & of course your budget.
I prefer not to offer just digital copies as getting them printed through standard online sites can vary in quality massively, I only use a Professional Photography Lab for prints.
However I understand that each budget is different so we can discuss options when booking in for a session.
Outdoor Portrait Experiences.
On the day of the Photographic experience, we will firstly meet at an agreed place and time. Whilst we walk to the desired location from the meeting point, we can discuss anything further which will help you get the pictures you are dreaming of.
We will then work together to make the vision come to life. We will start with the poses you or your pet(s) are comfortable with and then work towards different styles and variations, having fun along the way.
The session can take anywhere between 1-2 hours but will never feel rushed, we will walk around the chosen location seeking out the very best spots to pose.
Although the sessions can take place at any time of the day, the very best times are usually towards the ‘Golden hour’. This is the last hour of the day before the sun sets or the first hour as it rises, the light at these times of the day can be very soft and flattering to the subject.
That said, light cloud cover or passing clouds can also offer beautifully diffused light which works well any time of day.
The only weather we would try and avoid is mid day bright sun or heavy rain, if these situations are going to be an issue then it would be best to try and re-book.
Outdoor Session Investment - £167 (you also receive a £25 voucher towards any printed options chosen)
Studio Portrait Experiences.
Unlike Outdoor experiences, a studio session will involve flash and studio equipment. My studio backdrops and lighting are fully moveable to ensure we can utilise them in most spaces.
The best sessions will be in your own home, all we need is a clear space of around 3 meters x 3 meters and fairly high ceilings. If you do not have the space to fit the equipment in, don’t worry we can book a local studio space to utilise instead.
We can then work together to get the images you are dreaming of, working with different lighting patterns as we go to get the very best outcomes.
We can either try traditional styles or work together to create some magic staged portraits, the options are endless.
Studio Session Investment - £150 (you also receive a £25 voucher towards any printed options chosen)
Frequently Asked Questions.
Only nice pets and owners are welcomed, any pets deemed dangerous prior to the shoot or upon arriving will be asked to not participate. I will ask for a photograph and short description of your beloved pet’s personality before we meet, this is to help me understand your specific needs further.
What is included in the Photographic Experience?
The investment is initially for the 1-2 hours session time and re touching of 10-20 images ready for the Big Reveal. Any prints, frames or other items can be made at the Big Reveal Session.
Do I need to bring anything on the day?
For a dog or pet shoot it would be great to bring along a favourite toy and treats to help engage them during the session, I will bring some as well but you know your pets best so they will always want your attention more than mine.
For people, again just bring or wear anything that you feel most comfortable in. It all depends on what you are intending to do with the final images as well. The style and feeling you are aiming to achieve. We can discuss this further when you book a session, you can then let me know what style you love most and we can work to that.
Does my pet need to be fully trained?
No, your pet is more than welcome to stay on lead or harness if they are not trained fully or would not be able to stay under your full control. You just need to be mindful of the type of picture you are expecting as the lead and harness may need to stay in the final edit if not realistically able to re-touch out.
Does my pet need to be fully groomed before the session & clean?
Again no, but like with the training you need to be aware of the final images and expectations your are wanting. If your dog is not well brushed and gets dirty before or on the day then that is likely to stay in the final images. However if you are wanting a fine art style edit the better the groom, the better the images.
Are you able to have an indoor Studio Session?
Yes, I can set up a small home studio for head shots or in your own home (space permitting). For larger groups we can look to hire out a local studio space.
What should I wear if I am included in the pet sessions?
Anything goes really, what ever you feel most comfortable in and compliments the style you want.
What is the best time of day for the outdoor sessions?
This depends on the style you are after, a standard session can be any time of day really. Fine art Outdoor sessions are best suited to the hour before and during sunset or Sunrise. With this in mind however the least favourable time slot would be mid-day due to the harsh lighting, this isn’t an issue but we would need to find shade to take pictures in.
Where is the best location?
Anywhere really, fields, woodland, beach, mountains, town/city. It is all down to the style of image you want.
What is the best weather?
The best lighting will always be during fine cloud cover, if it is extremely wet or extremely sunny/warm we will re-schedule as it is not fair on myself, the pets or you. Very sunny days are not ideal due to the harsh light and strong heat, although this can be perfect weather for Sunset pictures when the light is golden and temperatures are cooler.
I can’t decide which images I like best, can I have them all?
Yes you can absolutely invest in all the images from the day, we can work out a tailored package depending on how many you are wanting.
Do I get prints or frames?
The Photographic experiences are for the session only, however if you require printing, mounting and framing I can work with you to design the wall art to suit your home. Investments will be quoted for before proceeding so you know exactly what you will receive, any wall art you invest in will receive a complimentary £25 towards the final investment.
You have asked me to come back for another photo session, why is that?
Basically, I was not happy with the final pictures captured due to an oversight on my part, so in these very rare instances I would ask you back for a re-shoot at a convenient time for you and me without further charge for the session.
What further options are available after the Big Reveal?
We have options for 3, 6 & 9+ digital files which are all provided on a USB stick with a beautifully presented storage box. Fine art Prints, Multi Aperture Frames or Photo-books are also available. We have a wide range which can cater for most needs, we only use the very best print labs to ensure colour correct images and timeless frames.
Further info.
All sessions are based within the Oldham area, other areas can be catered for so please make initial contact we can then liaise with each other further.
All sessions require a deposit of 60 to secure the place and will be paid upon booking, this is none refundable if cancelled within less than 24hrs of the agreed time and date. For cancellations over 24hrs it will be returned minus 10%.
Once booked in you agree to pay the deposit plus one of the options above after the big reveal, if no options are chosen then you will be charged the £60 deposit only. This cost will be none refundable and images remain the right of Martin James Photography.
Product Guide.
Farrow Narrow
Picture Frame.
Farrow narrow photo frames give a classic, elegant look with vintage style. Featuring a subtle woodgrain the distinctive features of this stylish frame are it’s on-trend colour options and a narrow moulded step finish. An exceptionally popular choice for framed prints, the Farrow frames suit a huge variety of photographic genre’s. Sizes range from 10x8 inches up to 24x20 inches, larger sizes are also available upon request.
• Hand Made by framers here in UK
• Fujifilm Crystal Archive Lustre Print used in our frames as standard.
• Multi aperture layouts are available
• Anti-reflective acrylic and Art Glass upgrades available
• As part of our sustainability policy, one tree will be planted for every frame ordered
• FSC approved wooden frame
• Arrive packed in a sustainable presentation box
Investments start from £210 for either a single photo or multi aperture mounted, printed frame.
Product Guide.
Fine Art Natural Picture Frame.
Our Fine Art Natural range is a stunning combination of beautiful Fine Art Etch print and our carefully selected paired frame options.
This product has a luxurious finish which is unmatched by anything else on the market and will set your artwork apart from the crowd.
The print finish is a heavyweight fine art paper with a heavy surface texture giving the paper a beautifully tactile feel.
This premium product demands the very best finish possible which is why the experienced technicians hand-apply a satin giclée varnish that protects against UV and scratches whilst still retaining the sumptuous texture of the textured Fine Art Print.
• Hand Made by our own framers here in UK
• Available in TWO distinct frame groups
• Moulding Colours: See below
• FSC approved wooden frame
Investments start from £295.
Product Guide.
Ladder Triptych
Picture Frame.
A genuinely unique wall art option. Our beautifully rustic Ladder Triptychs are hand-made here in the UK. Three of our weathered 8×8 inch Birch Blocks are fixed within a bespoke set of wooden steps, each one built and finished individually by master craftsmen.
Like all of our wooden products our Ladder Triptychs are all FSC approved wood from responsibly forested trees and for every unit sold we will plant a tree via our sustainability partner Ecologi.
Please note that due to each ladder being individually hand-made for each order there will be subtle differences from one ladder to the other in both wood grain and shade of colour.
• All of our Birch Products are made from FSC certified Birch ply from sustainable forests
• Three weathered 8×8 Birch Blocks
• Total size 36×11″
• Hand Made by our own framers here in UK
• Arrive packed in a sustainable presentation box
Investments start from £280.
Product Guide.
Albums
Our stunning album is a purpose designed book, specifically aimed at pet photography shoots.
Perfectly placed to offer a beautiful, lasting memories, The Pet Album is a stunning yet affordable option that will be displayed with pride. Your book will also be perfectly presented in its own complimentary primo box, providing you with the perfect keepsake album.
Set at a 8×8” and 10 pages, We’ve hand-picked a selection of our most popular cover materials to use on both the album and the matching presentation box. With the addition of your choice of personalisation options you can create your ideal product for your home.
. 10 spreads (20 pages)
. Stunning Fuji Lustre DPII pro paper finish
. Comes with complimentary matching presentation box
. Choose from a wide variety of cover and personalisation options
Investments start from £195.
Albums
Files can be supplied in 3, 6, 9 & full shoot options. Supplied on a personalised USB stick so you can keep the images forever and use how you wish. Invest from 55-105 (does not include £25 towards this option).
Testimonials
“The way you captured the day and made it feel relaxed was perfect.” - Nic
“So happy with the pictures Martin got of my dog Millie for her mini Christmas photo-shoot! so reasonably priced and professional.
Martin was so patient with Millie, as she can be scared in new environments with people she hasn’t met before (she is a rescue who didn’t have the nicest start in life) so I really appreciated how understanding he was with her, which put me and Millie at ease.
Highly recommend, we will definitely be booking again in the future for any more dog photo-shoots”. - Francessca Hughes
“I Can’t thank Martin enough, really happy with the photos he took of our dogs. He was so calm and patient whilst getting them to pose. Thank you Martin look forward to booking in with you again”. - Abi White
