Marlborough Lights

“I have tried so many times to give up taking pictures and do something honourable with my life. But it keeps crawling back. I think I am cursed to do it.”

David James aka Marlborough Lights has been working professionally in the photography biz since 1999. Despite failing photography in high school art class, DJ nabbed a coveted position at a studio in Toronto, Canada as a studio assistant – learning the greasy ropes of commercial product photography. First shooting medium format then digital.

Since then DJ has worked in New Zealand and New York as a professional photographer – shooting bands and fashion, and only taking a short time out to nab a PhD in cognitive psychology at Victoria University in Wellington.

Since then he has been working for a number of fashion clients including Lela Jacobs, Jimmy D, Lost and Led Astray, Company of Strangers, The Service Depot, Goodness Boutique and Public Library Showroom, and Good As Gold.

“I always talk to the designer about their collection first. I really want to know their inspiration, about the fabrics, or the story behind what they are doing. I also need to know their goals. As much as I love talking about all the gooey creative stuff I love talking money and commercial goals. That way I can understand the full scope - from mood-board to final presentation. I want my clients to actually sell shit so they can keep doing what they do.”

David now lives in Marlborough, New Zealand but is constantly travelling. The name Marlborough Lights is just a little word play on the ‘Marlborough Sounds’ in the region where David lives.