My Story
About Me
Martin Jones
Founder & Lead Storyteller
About Me
Before It Fades
Before It Fades began with a simple realisation.
Most of us now carry thousands of photographs on our phones. We capture moments constantly, yet very few images are created intentionally or preserved in a way that tells the full story of a person's life.
The photographs matter. The stories matter even more.
Over the years I have seen how often families wish they had taken the time to sit down properly, ask the deeper questions, and capture someone not just in snapshots, but with context, personality, humour, and voice.
Before It Fades exists to create that opportunity while it can still be enjoyed together.
My Background
A Career Built Around People
My professional life has always centred around people.
Photography taught me patience, observation, and how to capture authentic moments rather than forced poses.
Years working closely with the public in professional and community roles taught me how to help people feel at ease, how to listen carefully, and how to create an environment where meaningful conversations happen naturally.
I have also volunteered as a Samaritan and later supported the training of new volunteers - experiences that strengthened my ability to listen with empathy, respect, and without judgement.
Alongside my work supporting a children's charity focused on bereavement and wellbeing, I have seen just how powerful preserved memories become over time, and how deeply valued they are by families.
Each part of my journey shaped the way I work today.
How I Work
Not a Photoshoot.
A Conversation.
A Before It Fades session is not a traditional photoshoot and it is not a formal interview.
It is a relaxed, guided conversation.
While we talk, I quietly capture natural portraits alongside stories, reflections, and personal messages. The result is both visual and deeply personal, combining professional photography with the words, memories, and personality that make someone truly recognisable to the people who love them.
Something unexpected often happens during this process.
The experience itself becomes a catalyst for conversation. Families begin asking questions they have never asked before. Stories resurface. Laughter appears where people expected formality.
Many clients tell me the greatest gift is not only the finished presentation piece, but the meaningful conversations it sparked while everyone could still share them together.
Why This Matters
Life, Identity,
Legacy & Connection
Before It Fades is not about endings.
It is about life, identity, legacy, and connection.
It is about creating something intentional in a world where memories are increasingly digital, scattered, and easily lost.
A beautifully crafted presentation piece. Professional portraits created with care. A voice that can still be heard. Stories that remain part of family life for generations.
Because the most important things we leave behind are not simply images. They are the stories, personality, and presence that those images help carry forward.
Get in Touch →
The Experience
What You Will Receive
A Life Story Session is a carefully designed process that brings together conversation, portrait photography, voice, and film to create a complete and deeply personal record of a life as it is lived and remembered. Everything is created with care, discretion, and attention to detail, ensuring the final result feels both authentic and beautifully considered.
The Conversation & Portrait Session
A relaxed, unhurried session in a familiar or meaningful setting. There are no posed directions or forced moments. Instead, I guide a natural conversation while capturing professional portraits that reflect personality, expression, and presence. The aim is simple: to create images that feel like the person, not just photographs of them.
The Story Capture
Throughout the session, key moments, reflections, and memories are recorded through conversation. Rather than a written biography, the story is built from the person's own words. Selected quotes are then paired with portraits to create depth, meaning, and context within the final presentation piece.
Audio & Video Moments
Short audio and video recordings preserve something still images cannot: voice, tone, humour, and expression. These are carefully edited into the final archive and made available for private viewing through a secure online link.
The Story Volume
A beautifully produced, high-quality presentation piece combining professionally edited portraits with selected quotes and narrative context from the session. Designed to be held, shared, and revisited, it becomes a visual and emotional record of the individual at this point in their life.
USB Archive & Online Access
Each client also receives a USB archive containing all selected images, audio recordings, and video moments. In addition, a secure online gallery allows families to view, listen, and revisit the full experience from anywhere.
The Purpose
This is not simply a collection of images or recordings. It is a carefully preserved record of a person's story, designed to spark conversation, preserve memory, and keep their presence alive within the family for years to come.
No obligation
Book a free 15-minute call
Let's simply talk. No pressure, no commitment - just a conversation to see if this feels right.