Grain & Sun Photography & Film

Kansas City photographer specializing in intimate weddings and elopements, available for travel.

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HERE’S A WARM WELCOME TO GRAIN & SUN.

*Your dedicated photographer here to capture your most authentic moments in incredible places.*
***Beautiful light, natural colors, and an artistic approach*** *is how I go about creating timeless photos with a candid, nostalgic feel.*
*CONTACT*

I’m here to make things easy.

How? By making sure you can enjoy every bit of the moment. I’m not here to tell you how to stand and what to do with your hands, but instead to tell you to “go walk through that field and look at each other like two sweethearts straight out your favorite indie movie.” I’m here to capture the ***real,*** ***candid, goofy, delicate, and love filled moments*** *between you and your best friend. We’re stepping away from just simply taking photos. I’m creating tangible, real art, with* ***movement, imperfections, and emotion.***
*Click here to see some galleries.*

It’s about trust.

Let’s face it. Your wedding day holds a unique place as one of the most cherished and unforgettable moments of your life. I want you to feel safe enough to be vulnerable and take in every fleeting emotion that this day may bring. When you think back, you should remember the way it felt.
The big moments, the small moments, the laughs and the tears, and the intimate moments that are saved in your head. I want you to look back through your photos and be able to experience those feelings all over again. My hope is for you to feel like your pictures are documented by your newest friend, here to hang out, create, and document with you. I believe that because art has no “box”, neither should you. Feel comfortable and relaxed, yet free, wild, and able to be your truest selves. Unapologetically you.
Pairing an artistic eye with a spirit of creative exploration.
I approach my photography with fine art in mind, and experimentation in heart. I shoot on many different cameras, and believe that film photography has an important place in my work. The innately slower process of analog photography forces more intention, more thought, and ultimately more imagination in the end. The film grain, the unique colors, and the nostalgia creates a layer of romance that can’t be ignored. I want you to have trust in my process, have trust in yourself, and we’ll be able to create beautiful art together.
*Click here to learn more about me and my process.*

James is incredibly talented - this shows not only in his product, but his process as well. As two people who aren't the most comfortable in front of the camera, we were nervous to do our first couple shoot for our engagement photos. James "set the stage" so to say - he directed us completely professionally. We told him the overall idea of shooting in water, and he found us a perfect location with several different areas to shoot in with different backgrounds/textures. Throughout the entire shoot he led us to different areas and poses, and was able to both capture us being awkward and romantic - which was perfect for us and representing our relationship. Everything went so smooth, was so comfortable, and the end results speak for themselves. I recommend Grain & Sun to anyone looking to capture their own special version of love on film (and digital). He turns life into art.
-Jacquelynn & Mason

We were so lucky to find James for our wedding! He was so thorough and helpful throughout the process. Not only were the photos excellent, but James himself was a pleasure to work with—creative, professional and generous with his time and energy.
-Kelly & Nate

“I highly recommend Grain & Sun! He was able to perfectly capture our special moment and make us so comfortable. He is an ARTIST. Hands down the best photographer I’ve worked with. We will cherish these photos for the rest of our lives.”
-Aryn & Madison

“Had an absolute blast while taking these photos! James is an amazing photographer and makes you feel very comfortable in front of the camera. I can't recommend him enough.”
-Delane & Andrew

“James was a dream to work with. I adore his style and passion for capturing raw emotion. His friendly demeanor eased our nerves before the shoot which helped capture photos that really speak to our relationship.—We will treasure these photos forever.”