About Me
Hello, I’m Sam. A travel loving, Thai speaking Brit who splits his time between the UK and Japan
Here’s a little bit about me…
ONCE UPON A TIME…
I was a soldier. This was my first real job in life and I served with 34 Squadron RAF Regiment for 3 years and did two tours in the holiday hot spots of Iraq and Afghanistan - the best place to get a tan! This is where life really started for me. Believe it or not, my flight to my tour in Iraq was the first flight I had ever taken in my life. Before that, I was quite content with life in Sunny Kent. The Military opened my eyes to the big wide World and I haven’t looked back since.
In 2008 I did a Working Holiday in Japan
The Military opened up my life so much so that I decided to quit in order to do some travel on my own terms. I left the military, spent one week in Kent and then flew off to Tokyo on a one year working holiday visa with just a bag on my back. Looking back now I have no idea how I went there so care free with absolutely zero planning whatsoever.
It was this working holiday that started my love affair with Japan and I haven’t looked back since!
I TRAVELLED FROM LONDON TO BANGKOK…OVERLAND.
Yep. Six whole weeks of trains, buses, taxis, boats and…horses. Why? Well, I actually studied the Thai Language at University (SOAS) and was required to go on an exchange year abroad in Bangkok. I mentioned to my classmates (all three of them) that we should try travelling overland and so we did! It remains the best travel trip I have ever done and feel it was one of those ‘once in a lifetime’ trips.
Oh and I tried to cycle to Tokyo once the exchange year had finished. I got as far as Saigon and my right knee said “no.”
I LIVED IN THAILAND FOR FIVE YEARS.
I moved straight to Thailand after graduation and started working for the International Committee of the Red Cross aiding those affected by the violence in the deep South of the Country. It was quite an experience and I made so many good friends during such a short space of time but as time went on I knew it wasn’t something I could do forever. Thailand however, will forever be a part of my life!
AND NOW?
Well, I ended up being a Wedding Photographer of course! Honestly, I scratch my head at times wondering how I got here but really it is down to a hobby that got out of control, the friends I met through life’s adventures across the World and a genuine love of taking photos of you lovely people.
I’m now based in London and Tokyo and split my time between the different photography high seasons (Japanese Sakura, British Summers, Tokyo Autumn leaves etc.).
I still try to get on as as many outdoor adventures per year as possible and I’m never happier than when I’m at the top of Mountain overlooking a majestic view. You can’t beat it. I quite like the Jungle too…
A few kind words from some lovely people…
“Sam shot our UK wedding, and the photos he produced were simply amazing... there were so many winning shots within every scenario, poses, groups - we couldn’t be happier with them all! Sam is a true artist with a keen and quirky eye and his own unique style, but he also has clearly amazing technical ability which together result in the most beautiful photographs. He is also very much a professional, with a calm presence that makes you feel at ease in front of the camera. It was so fun to bounce over ideas with him too! Highly recommended!”
“The whole day was perfect and Sam was always there capturing the magical moments of a wedding without ever hindering the events of the day. He became part of the family and we couldn’t have wished for a better photographer or person to capture our special day.”
“Sam was the perfect Wedding Photographer in our view, capturing every moment without ever seeming intrusive. When we hired him for our Wedding Party he didn’t miss a single moment and his eye for a shot is second to none. When he does need to direct he does so professional and capably and has some great ideas for shots we hadn’t even thought of, and the end result is absolutely stunning!”
“The end result was a series of photos that my wife and I will cherish for the rest of our lives. Sam couldn’t be more highly recommended.”