Photography by Matthew James @photomattjames - Tumblr Blog

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If you're a risk-taker and you need a photographer, then I might know a guy! It was supposed to be my day off, but then the phone rang. My bag was packed with swimming clothes, sun lotion, headphones and a couple of cold beers, and my destination was Amager Strand. But 30 minutes later, I was boarding a train with a different packed bag – this one containing two digital cameras, two lenses and a flash. Simon had called to say that, after years of working for someone else, he was ready to take a leap of faith and go it alone. I have a huge weakness for risk-takers, because I wouldn't be where I am today without making some batshit decisions. Quitting my full-time newspaper photographer position has to be at the top of that list, followed by moving to Denmark and starting over. None of us feel comfortable stepping out of our comfort zones, and it isn’t always the right choice. But I have a lot of time for people who decide to back themselves, start fresh, and build something of their own. If you’re stepping into a new chapter and need images that help you show up with confidence, send me a message.

Royal Run 2026, Helsingør – A masterclass in event photography and poor skincare decisions. Photojournalism rule #1: Always know where the light is coming from. Photojournalism rule #2: Maybe also remember sun cream when standing in direct sunlight photographing the Royal Run for six hours. Yesterday was a very different Royal Run for this photographer. Normally I’m roaming around Amalienborg Slotsplads and Frederiksberg Allé with my colleagues and cohorts. But in Helsingør, I only had my inner demons for company, including the one reminding me that my sun cream was still sitting in the car. Luckily I had my bike with me, which meant I could cycle the entire 10km route — including a glorious shaded section through the woods that seemed to lift everyone’s spirits a little (apart from the uphill bit!) The sun was still relentless when Her Majesty The Queen of Denmark arrived by boat later in the day, creating the kind of lighting conditions photographers pretend to enjoy discussing. Flash or no flash? Backlight or full-on UV warfare? (I chose all of them.) As always, though, days like this remind me why I love photojournalism so much. The challenge, the split-second decisions, the crowds, and the pressure of capturing important moments as they unfold. Oddly enough, it helps me sleep at night. These are some of my favourite images from the day.👇 Congrats to all the runners, and a huge thanks to Danmarks Idrætsforbund (DIF), Helsingør Kommune, and Kronborg Slot. Vi ses næste år 🏃‍♀️🇩🇰

Congratulations to Denmark’s Eurovision Song Contest contestant Søren Torpegaard Lund (pictured here during an interview in Copenhagen for AFP Before I took these portraits, Søren spoke openly about growing up queer in Denmark, the backlash he has received online, and the importance of staying true to himself despite it. The assignment became less about documenting a performer, and more about capturing a person navigating visibility, identity and pressure on an international stage. Editorial portrait photography often happens fast. Limited time. Limited locations. Limited control. But those constraints are also what make these moments interesting... finding small fragments of authenticity in the middle of a major media machine.

My day concluded with some sad news yesterday, when The Guardian asked to use one of my images as part of an obituary for Dr. Ittai Gradel. It’s a photograph I took in a hotel room three years ago; rushed, because Dr. Gradel had a flight to catch. He was very much in demand that summer. At the time, I didn’t know the full weight of what he'd done; exposing the theft of thousands of artefacts from the British Museum, a story that would go on to make headlines around the world. What I did know was this: he was an incredibly humble, thoughtful man, and a genuine pleasure to spend time with. He spoke calmly, thoughtfully, and without ego... even though his persistence and integrity helped uncover something truly significant. As photographers, we often don’t realise the full context of the people we’re documenting at the time. I do my research on someone beforehand, but I prefer to wait until I meet them. It allows me respond to what’s in front of me — a facial expression, a thought process, a reaction to my questions. Looking back at this portrait now, it feels different. There’s a quiet strength there that makes more sense today. I’m grateful to have met him, even briefly. Rest in peace, Ittai.

#Ittain Gradel #British Museum Thefts #The Guardian

For the 4th year in a row, Sandbox Films invited me to capture their CPH:DOX party at Bar Strøm in Copenhagen. From a photographer's perspective it's actually one of the more challenging events to cover, mainly because it's the same location... and it's tiny! From one end of the narrow bar to the other, it probably takes about 43 seconds to walk it on a good day. Throw in a couple of hundred people and it takes a bit longer. I dunno, let's say 78 seconds. It's cramped, people are deep in energetic conversations, everyone's a little bit tipsy, and there's simply not enough space for my large, go-to lenses and cameras. But that doesn't stop me each year from trying something a little different. I'm pretty sure the client is happy with the content I hand over, regardless of what equipment I use; I just want to challenge myself and not rest on my laurels. This year I used a wide 35mm lens and an 85mm portrait lens. Both are small, light, and don't smack people in the head when I walk by. I gave myself a system too: • Start at one end of the bar (with a cheeky alcoholic beverage) • Make my way through the crowd, snapping and chatting • At the opposite end, head back and use my flash this time • Head outside for some fresh air and location shots • Return to the end of the bar, review my images • Repeat (easy on the cheeky beverages) It might sound simple, but over 5 hours it requires discipline. No one's hiring me to be lazy or repetitive. The results speak for themselves, I feel. Great colours, beautiful light, and the reflection of one handsome chap in the mirror :-) #EventPhotographer #EventFotograf #Copenhagen

Running season has officially started in my photography calendar. At the weekend, Danmarks Idrætsforbund (DIF) brought me in to photograph their 'Træn Med' Royal Run event in Helsingør. For me, the first running picture of the year signals a change in pace (pun very much intended). Enquiries start picking up, the calendar begins to fill, and there’s a real sense of momentum in the air. Royal Run’s Træn Med sessions are designed to help participants prepare for the main event on May 25th. It was great to see so many people of different ages and abilities taking part. Everyone is welcome, and my job is to capture the energy, the effort, and the evidence. Once the training session was over, Jonas Kildegaard and I made our way into central Helsingør to discuss the plan for the big dayitself. But that, ladies and gentleman, is a story for another day ;-)

What the Future of Beer Can Teach Us About Climate Resilience Carlsberg Group is quietly reshaping what sustainability looks like in the food and beverage industry — and the story starts long before a beer reaches the shelf. For this assignment for Macalester College's 'Macalester Today' magazine, I photographed sustainability manager Monica Keaney, whose work sits at the intersection of climate action, supply chains, and the everyday products we take for granted. Beer may be the world’s favourite drink, but climate pressure on water, barley, and hops means its future isn’t guaranteed. Carlsberg’s response? Concrete, measurable change — including a dramatic jump from 1% to 40% regenerative barley sourcing in Denmark by 2026, and a full transition planned by 2040. Monica’s career has been defined by “change from the inside” — from climate research, to IKEA’s buy-back programme, to helping a global brewer map every gram of carbon across 75 production sites. Her work is a reminder that sustainability isn’t abstract. It’s data, decisions, transparency — and a long game fought one supply chain at a time. And sometimes, it starts with something as simple as a barley field. You can read more about Monica and her work at https://lnkd.in/edrc5Cfk (scroll down to Page 15) Shot on location at #Carlsbergbyen, Copenhagen,#Denmark #sustainability #carlsberg #copenhagen #portraitphotographer

Why one Danish doctor believes he’ll outlive the average British man Longevity researcher Professor Morten Scheibye-Knudsen has spent his life trying to answer a question that first struck him at age ten: why do we age the way we do — and can we change it? On a recent The Telegraph Health Desk commission, I got the chance to hear first hand Morten's incredible story. Shaped by a painful family history of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, he’s devoted decades to studying ageing at the cellular level, often testing promising anti-ageing approaches on himself. From daily cycling and the Nordic diet to stress reduction, strong social ties and careful self-experimentation, his routines reflect both Danish lifestyle advantages and cutting-edge longevity science. His biological age now sits around a decade younger than his actual age — but whether his methods truly work? He’ll know in about 30 years. Many thanks to Cherlyn Macasaddu and Ella Nunn from The Telegraph for the assignment, and to Morten for being so professional in front of the camera. https://www.photographybymatthewjames.com/p/editorial-photograph

It's a strong headline: "We're pretty scared". This assignment for The Times and Sunday Times stayed with me longer than most. Denmark’s decision to include young women in its conscription lottery has sparked worry, debate and a lot of very real conversations among teenagers. At Forsvarsdag (Armed Forces Day) I met 18-year-olds who were filling out forms, doing medical checks, and picking their lottery numbers — some confident, others visibly nervous. Later, at the army training grounds, I photographed recruits firing live rounds, including the only two women on their course. Many of them spoke openly about the responsibility they now carry and the uncertainty in Europe that forms the backdrop. As a photographer, my job is to witness these moments honestly and quietly — to look for the emotion behind the process, especially when the subjects are stepping into something they didn’t necessarily choose. Thanks to The Sunday Times for trusting me with this important story, and to the Danish Armed Forces (Forsvaret) for the access.

#editorialphotographer #copenhagen #thesundaytimes #editorialphotography #københavn #pressphotographer

https://www.photographybymatthewjames.com/p/editorial-photograph

#photography #fotograf #copenhagen #denmark #københavn

Back from another successful (and enjoyable) annual photo gig for INSOL Europe, this time in Vienna, Austria. This was my sixth event since first working with the team here in Copenhagen, and by far the smoothest event I've been a part of. With so much going on across multiple days, it really makes a difference when you know so many people, their names and roles, and what sequence and structure each day runs in. To add to this, working in such a stunning city as Vienna was a wonderful bonus. The architecture and history was almost overwhelming. Thanks to all once more, including Pantera Property & Asset Management, who sponsored this year's photography and videography (i.e. me!)

A Year Behind the Lens: Copenhagen’s Running Boom in 2025 From the historic, cobbled streets of Copenhagen, to the parks and bridges beyond... my 2025 race season was packed with resilient runners, cheering crowds, and a lot of shutter clicks. 2025 saw record participation, incredible diversity among participants, and some of the most unique backdrops you can imagine. As a photographer, I've been covering these races for over ten years now. Witnessing their growth is incredible, and I do wonder where it will all end. Each year, Copenhagen takes in more residents, and tourism is on the rise. How will this affect the size and number of running – and other – sporting events in the city? Regardless, I think we can all agree that the organisers and teams working behind the scenes are doing an incredible job. So once again, a huge thank-you to Sparta Atletik & Løb, Danmarks Idrætsforbund (DIF), and DGI for their hard work. Here’s a quick highlight reel of the moments that stood out this season, including the #CopenhagenMarathon, #RoyalRun, #Broløbet, #DHLStafetten, and the #CopenhagenHalfMarathon.

A Year Behind the Lens: Copenhagen’s Running Boom in 2025 From the historic, cobbled streets of Copenhagen, to the parks and bridges beyond... my 2025 race season was packed with resilient runners, cheering crowds, and a lot of shutter clicks. 2025 saw record participation, incredible diversity among participants, and some of the most unique backdrops you can imagine. As a photographer, I've been covering these races for over ten years now. Witnessing their growth is incredible, and I do wonder where it will all end. Each year, Copenhagen takes in more residents, and tourism is on the rise. How will this affect the size and number of running – and other – sporting events in the city? Regardless, I think we can all agree that the organisers and teams working behind the scenes are doing an incredible job. So once again, a huge thank-you to Sparta Atletik & Løb, Danmarks Idrætsforbund (DIF), and DGI for their hard work. Here’s a quick highlight reel of the moments that stood out this season, including the #CopenhagenMarathon,#RoyalRun,#Broløbet,#DHLStafetten, and the#CopenhagenHalfMarathon.

Just wrapping up on another corporate event, with yet another returning client. There's a real sense of achievement and confidence when a client asks you to work with them again. Today (and yesterday) it was the turn of Informa Connect, who I first worked with last year. They simply leave me to get on with the job, knowing that I can get it done without them having to look over my shoulder all the time. The room was full of a healthy mix of Brits, Danes, Americans, and lots of other nationalities. But I've been particularly drawn to the bold colours on display this time around, which isn't always the case. Some rooms can be dark and lifeless. Here's a sample of my favourites from two days coverage, and a good overview of the style of event photography I provide. Thanks to Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers for providing the venue, to Louie Vargas for sending me some behind the scenes shots for my archive, and to the Nordic Financial Crime & Sanctions Forum event organisers and attendees.

Sunday's CPH Half tested more than just the runners For those of us on the photography side, it became a tactical exercise in staying mobile, creative, and just dry enough to keep shooting. Freelancers like myself had one hour after another of balancing camera choices, swapping lenses in the drizzle, and biking from one location to the next. Ten minutes here, five minutes there... always chasing variety, always trying to stay one step ahead of the race. The reality? Shoes squelching, clothes plastered to our skin, and cameras pushed right to the limits of “weather resistant.” Not glamorous, but part of the job. And yet, despite the elements, we still delivered — with another set of strong images for Sparta Atletik & Løb Big respect to the colleagues who battled alongside me in the rain. Yesterday proved again that behind every great event photo, there’s often a very dedicated photographer. #cphhalf #sportsphotographer #copenhagen

One Hour, One King, Millions of Visual Impressions "Congratulations! Our first post has had over 1.3 million views so far". So explained Royal Run Communications Consultant Signe Sjølund Torp, just three days after their first 2026 teaser image dropped on social media. In the days that followed, five more images showing HRH King Frederik of Denmark standing proudly with large maps of Danish municipalities were released. And with each release, we watched as the views, likes and comments grew. For months, Signe and I had been planning the photo shoot. With the large, colourful maps, we wanted something fresh and bold, and to try something different than previous years. The city signposts (byskilte) had been a great idea two years in a row, but now it was time to mix things up a bit. Naturally, there was always a chance the idea wouldn't work as we'd imagined it. So, the team at DIF created a Plan B that we could easily fall back on if things weren't looking good. It wasn't necessary. With the King in place, we took some test shots and held our breaths as we waited for the thumbs up from the decision-makers. It was an intense few minutes, but Signe and I were confident in our carefully thought-through idea, and when the green light was given, the wheels started to roll forward. There were a few unforeseen circumstances that left me scratching my head. I'm proud to say that my training and experience kicked in here, as I reverse-engineered the problem/solution. (Many thanks to Trygve Laub Asserhøj and Marianne Skytte for being those solutions :-) Umbrellas are amazing!) All the while I was watching the clock, calculating the remaining schedule, and relying on Signe and co. for back-up when it was needed. One week later, and with all five municipalities now revealed, I asked Signe for some feedback: "The photos have received thousands of likes and comments, and have been featured in local, regional and national press – not to mention by the Royal Family. "The photos have been very well received, and the colours are very appealing and eye-catching. Well done!" So, congratulations to Middelfart Kommune, Ringkøbing-Skjern Kommune, Randers Kommune, Helsingør Kommune og Københavns Kommune/Frederiksberg Kommune for being a part of something huge. It's expected that more than 100,000 people will take part in next year's event, which is a crazy statistic. I'm super grateful for the opportunity to work with DGI, Danmarks Idrætsforbund (DIF) og Dansk Atletik once again , and thanks to the strategic partners Nordea-fonden, TrygFonden og Novo Nordisk Foundation. And to Tildde Sønder Vindfeldt, Frederik Nellemann Linde and the rest of the team behind the scenes, thanks for a fine collaboration. Couldn't have done it without you 🤟 P.S. My personal favourite is Helsingør. Which one is yours?

The room was full of boxes. We had 10 minutes. Here’s what happened. When I arrived to photograph Mark from Mercury Engineering, the on-site ‘studio’ turned out to be a tiny room with stacks of empty boxes, a printer, and not much else. We didn’t have the luxury of time or space, but that’s where creativity and experience come in! I positioned Mark where the window light could soften the left side of his face. Next, I set up a single flash to Mark's right, (pointed upwards towards the ceiling) to balance the natural light and to create a clean, white background. Lastly, I began asking Mark about his life in Denmark (he was Irish) and other slightly personal subjects that he felt comfortable answering. I wanted Mark to forget this was a photo shoot and relax a little in my company. The result? A subject who looks natural and at ease, and a clean and professional portrait that looks like it was taken in a professional photo studio. (In my head as I write this, the room ruptures into thunderous applause⚡️👏) Sometimes the best photos aren’t about having the perfect setting; they’re about making the best of what’s in front of you, in the time you have available. To see more of my corporate photography, visit https://www.photographybymatthewjames.com/index/C0000m5rnZWhU8.Q

Full Disclosure No.1: DHL Stafetten København is a tough gig for EVERYONE behind the scenes. Long days and late nights; time spent away from families; a rinse-and-repeat experience; and a post-event desire to never smell another barbecue grill ever again. Full Disclosure No. 2: The atmosphere is incredibly energising, the teamwork is inspiring, and seeing 160,000 people running, laughing, and connecting in Fælledparken reminds us why we do it. Every shift, every photo, and every late-night edit becomes part of something much bigger than ourselves. That feeling really hit home when I noticed a giant banner marking the event’s 45-year history. Alongside a portrait of founder Niels Jørgen Holdt were many of my own images, documenting the journey of Denmark’s—and one of the world’s—largest relay races. To see my work become part of the event’s story was both humbling and a reminder of why I keep coming back. When Friday evening finally arrived, I felt inspired to head out to the different tents to photograph the atmosphere after the sun had gone down. And I wasn't disappointed. At one point, as I watched a group dancing to some pretty hard house, my eyes drifted towards another tent on the opposite side, where a small team were eating wood-fired pizzas and drinking a bottle of wine. "There's no way this would fly back in England," I thought. "People would be brawling by the end of the night." As my post-summer resolution to "Fall in love with Copenhagen again" continues, I took a moment to remind myself that we live in such a happy, progressive city, where events like this only add to the community. So a huge thanks to everyone who smiled for the camera, and a special shout-out to those who made the event a reality (Sparta Atletik & Løb).

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Photography by Matthew James