Matt doing his other thing!
Matt James Photography started over 15 years ago and during that time Matt tells everyone, “every day I wake up and get to spend my time being creative”. If it’s not shooting at the studio or a wedding, it’s playing guitar in his band Splink.
During leisure time he likes to spend time with his wife Donna and dog Scrappy. Matt also enjoys woodwork, walks and working in the garden.
School days
Just a few years later.
The Beautiful Dode Church
Imagine your wedding venue lit by candle light flickering on the ancient stone walls. The smell of straw on the floors and dried flowers and herbs. The beautiful oak ceiling looking down on simple benches covered with warming rugs as your family and friends gather in this Kentish wedding venue to celebrate.
Following the wedding ceremony, you may want to take photographs in the grounds, making the most of Dode’s circle of ancient stones and beautiful secluded valley.
Meanwhile, the church will have been transformed into a medieval banqueting hall for your wedding breakfast, dancing and merriment.
For the lucky ones who may have stayed in one of The Lost Village of Dode’s two award-winning cottages the night before the wedding, there is always the opportunity to stay the night again.
This might be your first visit, however, it could be the beginning of a lifelong relationship with this truly unforgettable place.
The Lost Village of Dode also makes an ideal location as a venue for blessings, renewal of vows, wedding ceremonies and thanksgivings.
Weddings don’t have to be dull
Whether it is wedding, rock band or landscape photography it’s all about light and story telling. Time is something that passes over all of us and capturing the moment of any special occasion, and being able to look back without narrative is a wonderful thing and that’s what motivates me.
Not fads, fashions, trends or click bait but honest images that mean something. The above photo of Dode will only be captured once, the weather will change the light will change and knowing this wonderful little place and the people who have put in all the effort to restore it and make it so magical adds to and makes it a beautiful record to me.
The back of the guitarist in the next photograph is Liam Magill and his band, Syd Arthur. A fantastic band, but no longer playing together at the moment, so this shot is really important for me personally as it captures the feeling I got from watching them at that gig.