John Starns Photography

My Blog

John Starns — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:55:52 +0000

Hi All,

Thanks for taking time to visit my blog. I have loved posting my work here and reading your lovely comments, but all good things come to an end.

I have now integrated my blog into my main website, and therefore will make no further entries here.

Please go to www.johnstarns.com where I will be updating my blog on a weekly basis.

Hope to see to see you there soon, and thanks for reading this far.

John.

The Redding Wedding, RIBA London (part 2)

John Starns — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 13:36:37 +0000

Hello again,

Here is the second installment of Kirsty and Chris’s stylish wedding at RIBA, London.

We were incredibly lucky with the weather as it turned out to be a gloriously sunny June day. The light in the RIBA building is fantastic and the sun flooded in through the floor to ceiling windows of the gallery where the ceremony was held.

The reception took place on the marble pillared first floor landing, and as it was such an incredibly warm day, guests soon discovered the amazing garden terrace.

The following photographs document the second part of Chris and Kirsty’s special day (the first part is here for those who missed it) and provides a visual story of what turned out to be a very stylish, relaxed and joyful day of celebrations.

Congratulations (once again) Mr. and Mrs. Redding, and thanks, it really was fun. Enjoy!

Please check out my website at www.johnstarns.com or call me on 07790 634140 to book your portrait shoot or talk about your wedding photography.

Thanks for looking. Please feel free to leave a comment. John.

The Redding Wedding, RIBA London (part 1)

John Starns — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 20:54:17 +0000

I have known Kirsty and Chris for a number of years, so when they asked if I would photograph their wedding I was quite frankly honoured and then quite excited when they told me both the ceremony and reception were to be held at RIBA.

For those of you who aren’t aware, RIBA is based at 66 Portland Place, a beautiful 1930s Grade II listed Art Deco building designed by architect George Grey Wornum. The venue is an inspired choice and with its high ceilings and marble pillars was a truly wonderful setting for ‘The Redding Wedding’ which took place on a sweltering June day.

The following photographs document Chris and Kirsty’s special day, and hopefully provide a visual story of what turned out to be a very stylish, relaxed and joyful affair.

Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Redding, and thanks, it was fun. Enjoy!

So there we have it, The Redding Wedding Part 1. Part 2 to follow very soon!

Please check out my website at www.johnstarns.com or call me on 07790 634140 to book your portrait shoot or wedding.

Thanks,

John.

Ben, Josh and Indie Lifestyle Portrait Shoot, Kent

John Starns — Mon, 16 May 2011 16:33:33 +0000

When you’re a professional photographer, it’s most often not about which cameras you own, or which lens / shutter speed / aperture / ISO combination you have decided upon (though all that technical stuff certainly helps!) Sometimes capturing a collection of amazing images comes down to the ability to successfully interact with your subjects (warning: this may include your photographer acting the fool!) the patience of a saint and sufficient negotiation skills to convince, in this case an energetic 9 year old, that being photographed can actually turn out to be a whole load of fun!

So we begin our shoot with Josh, Ben and Indie the dog. Ben is a typical 9 year old. He likes to laugh, jump about, explore, antagonise his brother … but he doesn’t like having his photograph taken, no way. Not today anyway. He’d much rather hide behind a tree, face the other direction, anything but co-operate like his big brother Josh has decided to do. That’s ok, I can handle it.

So we walk across the fields from Ben and Josh’s house to our location; a piece of ancient woodland carpeted in Hyacinthoides non-scripta (that’s the common Bluebell to you and me). It is breathtakingly beautiful.

The following collection of photographs were taken over a two hour period. Given Ben’s initial camera shyness, I am really happy with the results as within twenty minutes or so he really started to open up and enjoy it as much as Josh and Indie the dog, as you can see in the pictures below.

Please check out my website at www.johnstarns.com or call me on 07790 634140 to book your shoot.

Enjoy!

John.

Please check out my website at www.johnstarns.com or call me on 07790 634140 to book your shoot. Thanks, John.

Royal Wedding Street Party, Sutton Valence

John Starns — Mon, 02 May 2011 22:39:29 +0000

In years to come, what will be your abiding memories of the Royal Wedding of Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge?

Perhaps the first glimpse of Kate wearing that dress, the kiss on the balcony that was transmitted to millions of viewers across the globe, or the majestic fly past of the Lancaster bomber, flanked by the Spitfire and the Hurricane?

My memories of that day will be closer to home, as streets all over the country commemorated the occasion with that most British of celebratory gatherings; the street party.

I am very lucky to live in Sutton Valence, a beautiful village located on the Greensand Ridge and overlooking the Weald of Kent. Here, the Parish Council along with other local associations, organised a street party fit for a (future) King as hundreds of residents from the village and beyond turned out to eat, drink and be merry and to share the happy couple’s joy.

Here are a collection of photographs that I took around the village on the day. It really was amazing that so many had turned out in the glorious sunshine to celebrate in style.

In the evening, those who were still in the mood to celebrate were treated to the amazing sounds of Sugarfoot Stomp as they played a vintage set to music lovers of all ages at the Queens Head.

A good time was had by all!

Further examples of my work can be found on my website www.johnstarns.com

Please call on 07790 634140 to discuss your family shoot.

Steve Gerrard Wedding Photography Workshop

John Starns — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 07:30:40 +0000

I have long admired Steve Gerrard’s fresh and innovative style, so when he announced a series of Wedding Photography Workshops, I just had to be there to witness how he weaves his brand of magic.

Steve talked us through how he creates his unique style of photography, his inspirations, and later in the day discussed how he achieves the unique look of his images. But first, Steve enlisted the help of Beckie and Leighton, who braved a chilly April afternoon in Birmingham to model for us. Gorgeous styling was by The Couture Company. Enjoy!

Further examples of my work can be found on my website www.johnstarns.com. I look forward to hearing from you soon!

What happens on tour …

John Starns — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 22:55:37 +0000

This weekend I have been enjoying the sunshine and the convivial atmosphere created by a gang of friends known collectively as Cranbrook Rugby Club. My son Hugo is playing his first season of rugby in the under 12′s and is loving it, so when the opportunity to sponsor the club’s April Tour arose, I couldn’t resist, especially as I got to have my name on both the player’s shirts and the Dad’s Hawaiian numbers!

The photographs below give you an idea of the fun we had – enjoy!

That's my boy!

This is what I wore all weekend long!

Further examples of my work can be found on my website www.johnstarns.com.

Please call on 07790 634140 to discuss your family shoot.

If you’re fond of sand dunes and salty air …

John Starns — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 23:04:56 +0000

My first shoot of the Spring got off to a flying start on a sometime sunny Sunday.

An early departure is often par for the course when photographing children, so after a drive across the Romney Marsh we meet on a largely deserted beach save for a few dog walking couples and the odd jogger hoping to beat their personal best.

Today I am photographing Archie and Noah who I have known for a long time, but who I haven’t seen for a couple of years. They have grown almost out of all recognition in that time.

Both Archie and Noah love this place, as do I, so it seems like the natural choice for their shoot. They come, kite and football in hand, ready for action. We are going to have fun; we’re definitely going to jump off some high dunes. Pippa, their mum is hoping that we won’t have to spend anytime in the local A&E, as it’s really not that local …

We head off into the dunes, Archie, Noah and I climbing ever higher until we reach the summit, when the fun really begins.

What is it about being by the sea that makes us feel so relaxed, content, at peace – just plain glad to be alive? Maybe it’s the much quoted fact that we are composed mainly of water, or that we just love to feel the sand between our toes? Either way, it’s undeniable that there is a feel-good factor attached to being close to the sea.

For anyone contemplating booking a shoot with me, this collection of images gives you a good idea of the variety of photographs you can expect from a two hour shoot. I ended up showing around 50 images to the client, which is a pretty accurate average.

Enjoy, and please feel free to comment, ask questions or subscribe to my blog, or call me on 07790 634140 to book your own shoot.

Thanks for looking!

John.

www.johnstarns.com

John Starns – Portrait Photographer in Kent

John Starns — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 15:12:01 +0000

Hello! My name is John. I’m a Kent based Photographer who specialises in photographing people – mainly (but not exclusively) families and children.

Always relaxed and calm, my main aim when I pick up my camera is to create unique, natural and memorable portraits, and to have a really enjoyable time along the way.

Working with the beauty of natural light (often with a creative sparkle of flash) and always on location, I create wonderful storytelling images that you will cherish forever. It’s relaxed, fun and the end results are both fresh and unique.

I live in Sutton Valence near Maidstone, with my wife, son & daughter, but my work takes me all over the South East and beyond.

Please call to discuss your photographic shoot on: 07790 634140 or to view some of my work visit www.johnstarns.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

Christingle at Sutton Valence

John Starns — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 23:12:40 +0000

Seasons Greetings Beautiful People! I trust you are well and beginning to feel just a little bit Christmassy! We bought our tree today and spent the evening cramming it with as many lights, baubles and tinsel as humanly possible. This afternoon we went along to Saint Mary’s Church at Sutton Valence for the annual Christingle service.

I wanted to take some photographs that captured the essence of the service, in which each child (and the occasional lucky parent) receives an orange with a lighted candle, a red ribbon and sweets on cocktail sticks, each part acting as a symbol of the Christian faith. I knew that in keeping with most church services, I wouldn’t be able to use a flash gun, so a high ISO rating and a steady hand were required. The exposures are typically longer than you’d want to deal with when photographing people, ranging between 1/5 and 1/2 second, so some movement in the subject is inevitable, but I quite like the effect. Enjoy! JS.