BEHIND THE LENS
It all started with a Canon 550D and a 10–22mm wide-angle lens. Back then, in the early days of Instagram, my photography was very much about landscapes: big skies, dramatic light, sunrises and sunsets.
And swans. There were quite a few swans.
I'm a Northamptonshire-based photographer, and these days the subjects are rather more varied. Wildlife and landscapes are still a big part of what I do, but pets, weddings, handfastings and events have all found their way in front of the camera too.
HOW IT GREW
Event photography wasn't some grand business strategy. I began photographing gatherings for a local pagan group, and word of mouth did the rest. That led to paid requests to photograph handfastings, weddings and other celebrations.
Whether it's a barn owl in flight, a dog showing off its personality or a fleeting expression during a ceremony, I'm usually looking for the same things: good light, genuine character and moments that tell their own story.
A LITTLE BACKGROUND
I originally considered Ben Jenkins Photography, but someone in York had beaten me to it. BJ Photography also crossed my mind, but that sounded more like something from the top shelf of a newsagent than someone chasing sunsets and the occasional swan.
In the end I settled on my full initials: RWBJ Photography. And no, I'm still not telling you what the R stands for.
BEYOND THE WEBSITE
Not everything I've photographed has made it onto this website — far from it!
There's a sizeable collection of photographs from over the years on Instagram (@rwbjj), documenting much of my photographic journey, from those early landscapes (and swans!) to more recent work.
For some public events, festivals and other gatherings, take a look at the RWBJ Photography Facebook page. That's where I publish galleries from the public events I photograph, and where you'll find more recent event coverage.
Most private commissions are a little different. Weddings, handfastings and other personal occasions are generally delivered directly to clients through private online galleries rather than shared publicly.
Feel free to have a browse through the public collections. There's quite a bit there!
KEEPING IT PERSONAL
I'm not trying to photograph weddings every weekend. I enjoy taking on occasional commissions, especially through recommendations, and giving each one the attention it deserves.
I've also been producing annual wildlife calendars since 2018, starting with the 2019 edition. The 2027 calendar is the ninth, which probably makes it something of a tradition by now.
Along with photographic prints, the calendars help keep things ticking over and occasionally contribute towards another lens. Given the price of lenses these days, perhaps a lens cap.
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