James Ratchford Photography

I specialise in portrait photography from my base near Lewes, helping professionals, creatives and editorial clients make images that feel honest and memorable. Photography for me is about celebrating personality — I aim to reveal what makes someone distinctive, whether that’s for a LinkedIn headshot, a business portrait or an editorial series. My approach is relaxed and collaborative. I favour natural light and simple, considered locations around Sussex, often working outside at dawn or dusk to find the soft glow and subtle moods that flatter faces and reveal character. For editorial shoots I research locations, props and clothing in advance so the photographs tell a story; for headshots and business portraits I focus on calm, clear direction that helps even the most camera-shy people feel at ease. Clients choose me because I balance careful preparation with a flexible, documentary eye. I listen to what you need — whether it’s a crisp professional headshot for a website or a sequence of lifestyle portraits that show the personality behind a brand — and then create an atmosphere where authentic moments happen. My experience shooting for portrait magazines and commissions means I know how to create images that work across online profiles, press and printed material. The way I work is straightforward: we start with a conversation about the brief and the look you want. I’ll suggest locations and wardrobe ideas where relevant, then on the day I give gentle, practical direction while also looking out for those candid, unplanned expressions that often make the strongest images. After the shoot I edit carefully to deliver a coherent set of portraits that you’ll be proud to use. Although portraiture is at the heart of what I do, my wider practice in events, landscapes and commercial work feeds into my portraits: it keeps my eye fresh and helps me adapt to light and location quickly. Based in Lewes, I’m happy to travel across Sussex for commissions and work with individuals, small businesses and editorial clients. If you’d like portraits that feel personal, purposeful and authentically you, get in touch and we’ll plan a session tailored to your needs.