Hello there!
I’m Stacey Jackson (AKA Darkle).
I got my first camera at around age 11, I’ve been photographing all the things happening in my life since then!
Upon finishing high school, I began work within a veterinary practice. A few years later, I moved onto working for a photo processing company, where my interest in photography came alive. I loved processing the negatives and then developing the images. And It was a pleasure talking and listening to customers regarding their images and creating photo gifts for them.
In between working there, I studied photography at Blackburn College in Lancashire and in 2009, I completed a BTEC National Diploma in Photography there. During my time studying, I was given a very special gift from my partner, Tom. He bought me my first DSLR camera body and lens to use on my course. From that moment, I just took off with it taking photo after photo! I felt so much enjoyment pressing down on that shutter and photographing everyday moments.
Shortly after completing my course, a dear friend asked me to photograph her wedding. I was so delighted to be part of her special day, not just as a guest but to be there documenting it all (If you are reading this Sam, I am so appreciative). I began my journey capturing emotion, spontaneity, and mood in people. I fell in love with idea of photographing for others and providing them with imagery they could look back on. It’s so important to capture those special moments in time and to be able to keep that memory as an image. It’s a wonderful thing to treasure and look back on as the years go by.
When my first child came into the world, my life changed a lot. My job ended, and I decided to look after my grandparents and raise my daughter. In my spare time, I started developing my skills further and come up with a plan to create my own business through photography.
In 2016, Tom and myself formed a limited liability partnership so we could work together and provide photographic services. I am the main photographer, Tom assists me on jobs sometimes. We have been together for many years now (fast approaching 18 years!). Tom is a very keen concept artist in his spare time (check out his work at www.deviantart.com/javmango).
I feel so gratified to have a job that allows me to explore my own creativity, as well as documenting special moments for my clients. It is always an honour to witness and document the love, emotions and growing relationships, not just weddings, but other events, infants and toddlers, family portraiture and not forgetting pets too!
I take a candid approach with my photography and spend time documenting events as they unfold. I am very relaxed and unobtrusive, leaving you to enjoy yourselves. I love snapping away at all the little details that clients would ordinarily miss out on during the day. These natural shots carry real meaning for couples for years to come. Of course, every wedding wouldn’t be complete without the occasional, formal shot for the benefit of extended family.
I would describe my photography style as intimate, candid, organic, natural and honest. Most of my work covers weddings and I specialise in outdoor portrait photography. A lot of my work is achieved with naturally occurring light and then carefully edited in post-production. I put my heart into every job I undertake, and I believe that it shows in my photography.