James, Oh Wunder Weddings photographer based in Christchurch, New Zealand.

G’day— I’m James.

I was born and raised in a small picturesque country town about an hour’s drive west of Sydney, Australia. At the end of 2024, my wife Pili and I, along with our cat Onion, ditched the hustle and bustle of Sydney suburbia and relocated to beautiful Christchurch on the South Island of New Zealand.

I have been working professionally as a photographer since 2014 and have been lucky enough to have my work take me all over the world, from shooting a major automotive brand in North America to an outdoor clothing campaign high up in the European Alps, just to name a few.

Though whenever I was home for long enough, I would open my books to weddings, as my passion has always been documenting the fascinating, and often quirky, lives of people through portrait photography. As a photographer who practices both documentary and commercial work, and a lover of film photography, I always aim to blend honest storytelling with a creative and stylistic flare — finished off with the timeless and beautiful look of film.

When I’m not photographing you’ll find me … photographing (shocker, I know) personal projects and, when I’m not doing that, I’m outdoors hiking, camping or off the blacktop exploring the trails (I’m a huge Jeep nerd), though I’m never without a camera.

Oh Wunder Weddings Photography. A person standing beside a Jeep with its headlights on, on a snowy mountain road at dawn, with tall snow-covered mountains and pine trees in the background.
Oh Wunder Weddings Photography. Photo in the Swiss Alps of the Matterhorn, reflected in a calm lake, with snow patches and rocky terrain in the background at dusk.
Oh Wunder Weddings Photography. A lone hiker in red gear walking on a snow-covered mountain ridge under a clear blue sky with snow-capped peaks in the background.
Oh Wunder Weddings Photography. A person hiking on a narrow trail along a steep, green mountain slope with rocky terrain, surrounded by high mountains under a partly cloudy sky.

Q&A

  • I have been photographing weddings for almost 10 years and, in that time, have amassed a broad portfolio from which I have selected a handful of client galleries which I feel showcase a diverse selection of wedding types.

  • Good question, I only opened the books and started advertising in New Zealand in late April of this year after my wife and I were settled into our new home this side of the pond.

  • Every couple, every person, every location, every wedding, and every season are all different which is why I don’t follow a cookie cutter approach (applying the same edit to every gallery). I always aim to accurately and beautifully capture each wedding and couple for what and who they are and in a style that is timeless.