Biography
Jim's thirty year career as a photographer has seen his work appear in many national newspapers, regional dailies and magazines. His pictures have been said to reflect contemporary life with an engaging and sometimes light-hearted twist. With an emphasis on features his style has attained several awards including two Guild of Picture Editor awards for Arts and Entertainment Photographer of the Year and the Fuji News Photographer of the Year. He was awarded the Newsquest Photographer of the Year prize in 2000, and other industry achievements include nominations for the BT Regional Photographer of the Year and the UK Press Gazette awards. In 2011 he was a finalist in features category and selected for the final edit of the PPY awards. In the mid 1980s Jim served his apprenticeship with the Kent & Sussex Courier, where he gained his National Council for the Training of Journalists qualification at Sheffield before accepting a post at the Brighton Argus in 1989, he remained there nearly 20 years as deputy chief photographer.
Services
He moved from being a staff photographer to go freelance in 2008 and has been using his experience and expertise to provide pictures for PR, commercial and editorial commissions. In 2022 he completed a commission which saw him travel the UK photographing people and their meadows, the book was shortlisted for the Garden Media Guild Awards Garden Book of the Year. While most commissions see him on location he also has a studio where he does other work such as products, headshots and artwork reproduction. He also offers giclée printing on his 44" large format printer using Hahnemuhle fine art papers printing up to A0 with pigment archival inks - a service popular with artists seeking giclée edition prints closely colour matched as master print files to their photographed work.
Clients include:
English Heritage, RHS, Royal Botanic Gardens Wakehurst, Sussex Life, The Automobile, Asda, Bupa, DHL, Newsquest, Johnstons, Northcliffe, Artists & Illustrators Magazine, H&K, Brighton & Hove City Council, Morrisons, Tesco, Fairy, Robinsons, O2, RBG Kew, Legal & General, Mattel, NHS, National Newspapers, Telegraph Weekend, Town & Country, Univeristy of Brighton, Cancer Research. He supplies Alamy and REX Features. He is a member of the BPPA and NUJ.
Testimonials
"We have worked with Jim for many years and are always impressed with his professionalism, attention to detail, and - above all - his creativity. Jim has a 'can do' personality ... nothing is too much trouble. He is great with our clients and always manages to get the perfect shot for each occasion".
Tim Cobb, managing director, Cobb PR
"Jim has worked for us on 3 separate occasions now, including a client event and corporate shots required for web. Jim's flair and fantastic attention to detail, always with original brief in mind, results in photographs perfect for intended purpose.”
Lara Monahan, Vector Resourcing
From a blog post: "The awesome photography is by Jim Holden, a complete genius always a privilege to work with. You can't go wrong when you start a project with his work. I just ruin his brilliant photography with words!"
Keith Pettit, Creation Signs
Jim had been highly recommended to me, and over the years of working with him he has become an integral part of my business. From photographing my mixed media paintings and producing my fine art giclèe prints Jim’s creative eye and attention to detail mean that my digital images and prints work in complete harmony with my original designs.
I would recommend Jim to anyone for his professional and quality service.
Clare O'Neill Artworks