About Me
Birches & Pine's story
Like some of the best things in life, becoming a wedding photographer was not the original plan but it happened after I returned from travelling abroad and studying photography.
With a long-term friend and colleague, we decided it was about time to quit our jobs, pack our bags and get out travelling. 🌏 Rich headed to New Zealand, and James to his mum’s homeland, India. Without much convincing, and one crazy 48-hour flight later (never go for the cheapest SkyScanner flight, guys!), Rich joined me in India too, on the day of Holi.
After travelling around India together, with many chapatis consumed along the way, and a trip to Nepal that lasted 10 weeks longer than planned because of an earthquake (long story!), we landed up back home, photographing a few weddings together. Out this was born a fantastic business collaboration, which lasted over 5 years.
Head here if you would like to get to know me more about my natural approach to wedding photography. Below is to get to know more about me 😊.
"Hi, I'm James; I love travel, cake and meeting new people!"
- I am using Duolingo to learn French, it took me 3 weeks to realise “Duo” was a character and in the app and not a French word I was supposed to be learning 😂 My French partner wonders why it’s taken 7 years for me to start learning her language!
- I can play a lot of instruments (badly) but can rock some Guns and Rose’s on my Ukulele.
- I have travelled to 6 Continents – Antarctica looks too cold, so I’m happy to give that one a miss.
- I’ve recently taken up mountain biking again. First time out I broke my collar bone, just before the start of wedding season.
- I lived in Kenya for a year, and took a photo that ended up on a massive billboard in Nairobi!
- I have owned 3 convertibles… and currently trying to convince my partner to get one now that I have had to invest in a photography business-friendly car 😉
- My whole life I have been a vegetarian, but I truly believe custard should be its own food group!
- I built my own pizza oven in the garden, but it was too small … going to have to build another one!
"Hi, I'm James; I love travel, cake and meeting new people!"
- I am using Duolingo to learn French, it took me 3 weeks to realise “Duo” was a character and in the app and not a french word I was suppose to be learning 😂 My French girlfriend wonders why it’s taken 6 years for me to start learning her language!
- I can play a lot of instruments (badly) but can rock some Guns and Rose’s on my Ukulele.
- I have traveled to 6 Continents – Antartica looks too cold, so I’m happy to give that one a miss.
- I’ve recently taken up mountain biking again. First time out I broke my collar bone, just before the start of wedding season.
- I lived in Kenya for a year, and took a photo that ended up on a billboard!
- I have owned 3 convertibles…. Rich might have been involved in the demise of one of them (what happened in Wales stays in Wales).
- My whole live I’ve been Vegetarian, but I truly believe Custard should be its own food group!
- I built my own pizza oven in the garden, it was too small … going to have to build another one!
Rave Reviews...
“They are not just superbly talented, but two truly nice guys. They were really relaxed on the day, and a pleasure to have around. We can’t stop looking at our amazing photos!”
– Ali & Kelly
Rave Reviews...
“James & Rich are lovely and did a great job really getting to know us before the big day, making us both feel very comfortable in front of the camera. The shots the guys captured were really out of this world and even more amazing than we could have expected. I couldn’t recommend them enough to anyone who’s looking for photography to capture their special day with such magic!“
– Zeena & Jai
