But it's in the pursuit of artistic fulfilment. For the 26-year-old is a self-taught photographer who has spend the past six years travelling the world capturing beautiful women with his lens.

James, who went to Rishworth School, specialises in fashion and portrait photography and has just started his own business in his home town of Halifax. He's looking for would-be models and up-and-coming young designers to feature in his portfolio and put a smile back on his face. He's miserable because of the weather. But then he would be because he's just spent the last 12 months basking in the sunshine working for one of South Africa's top fashion photographers, Jacques Weyers.

James was a photographic assistant for Jacques who works with some of South Africa's top fashion houses. James helped him out on shoots for companies like Playtex, Kangol and FHM Collection and says it was a brilliant experience and has made him all the more determined to succeed in a field where can be difficult to get a foothold.

"There are a lot of very good wedding photographers out there but I don't want to go down that line. I want to do fashion and portrait stuff and I am already doing some headshots for local actors," says James whose parents Bernard and Marie Melia run Melia's Funeral Directors in Gibbet Street, halifax.

He is the youngest of five children and while he has always been interested in photography, it wasn't his first choice as a career. He did a national diploma in film and TV work at Huddersfield Technical College after leaving school but then took a couple of years out to travel the world, working on cruise liners like The Royal Caribbean.

When it docked in Canada, James decided to give his sea legs a rest and spent 18 months living in Vancouver where, in between taking pictures, he worked for a film company as a runner and production assistant. He was involved with commercials, TV programmes and films such as X-Men 3: The Last Stand, Final Destination 3 and The Last Mimzy.

After a spell back in Calderdale, he got restless again and returned to work for a cruise ship where he met his South African girlfriend, Dayle. The two settled in South Africa last April but are both now living in Halifax.

"I adore South Africa, it is the most beautiful country but I felt it was time to come home and start my own business," says James who would be happy to help other photographers out while his business gets up and running.

"There's not much call for fashion work in Calderdale so I might have to spread my wings a little and try nearby cities, he says.

No surprise though when it comes to his pet hate. "I detest being in front of the camera. My place is definitely behind it."