James moved to South Florida at a young age, and for the past 40 years, his life has been deeply intertwined with the ocean. Growing up in the coastal communities along Florida’s East Coast, he developed a profound love for the marine world and its diverse inhabitants. Before embarking on his photography career, James spent much of his adolescence fishing and diving. After graduating from high school, he attended Flagler College in St. Augustine, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business. For the past 17 years, James has worked as a Firefighter/ Paramedic with Martin County Fire Rescue, balancing his professional career with his passion for the sea. James’s journey into photography began as an avid diver, initially using a GoPro to document his underwater encounters. Eight years ago, he upgraded to a camera with underwater housing, allowing him to take greater control over his images. As a self-taught photographer, he has honed his skills to capture vibrant, high-quality images of marine life. He credits his eye for composition and his creative drive to his mother, an accomplished artist. His work has been featured by renowned outlets such as National Geographic, BBC Earth, and Discovery. James has also earned “Highly Commended” honors in some of the most prestigious underwater photography competitions, including the Ocean Photography Awards and Underwater Photographer of the Year. While his primary focus is marine life, his portfolio also showcases stunning landscapes, waves, wildlife, and celestial scenes. James has traveled to remote ocean environments to capture striking images of marine fauna. His aim is to inspire a deep curiosity and appreciation for our ocean habitats, both locally and globally. In recognition of his talent, James is honored to be named The Billfish Foundation’s 2025 Artist of the Year. The award-winning photograph, taken in Magdalena Bay—renowned for its world-class striped marlin fishery—captures the raw beauty of the region. Looking ahead, James plans to return to Magdalena Bay in November 2026 to continue his work, capturing even more breathtaking underwater imagery. He remains committed to his passion for creating art that will inspire and captivate viewers for years to come.
James moved to South Florida at a young age, and for the past 40 years, his life has been deeply intertwined with the ocean. Growing up in the coastal communities along Florida’s East Coast, he developed a profound love for the marine world and its diverse inhabitants. Before embarking on his photography career, James spent much of his adolescence fishing and diving. After graduating from high school, he attended Flagler College in St. Augustine, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business. For the past 17 years, James has worked as a Firefighter/ Paramedic with Martin County Fire Rescue, balancing his professional career with his passion for the sea. James’s journey into photography began as an avid diver, initially using a GoPro to document his underwater encounters. Eight years ago, he upgraded to a camera with underwater housing, allowing him to take greater control over his images. As a self-taught photographer, he has honed his skills to capture vibrant, high-quality images of marine life. He credits his eye for composition and his creative drive to his mother, an accomplished artist. His work has been featured by renowned outlets such as National Geographic, BBC Earth, and Discovery. James has also earned “Highly Commended” honors in some of the most prestigious underwater photography competitions, including the Ocean Photography Awards and Underwater Photographer of the Year. While his primary focus is marine life, his portfolio also showcases stunning landscapes, waves, wildlife, and celestial scenes. James has traveled to remote ocean environments to capture striking images of marine fauna. His aim is to inspire a deep curiosity and appreciation for our ocean habitats, both locally and globally. In recognition of his talent, James is honored to be named The Billfish Foundation’s 2025 Artist of the Year. The award-winning photograph, taken in Magdalena Bay—renowned for its world-class striped marlin fishery—captures the raw beauty of the region. Looking ahead, James plans to return to Magdalena Bay in November 2026 to continue his work, capturing even more breathtaking underwater imagery. He remains committed to his passion for creating art that will inspire and captivate viewers for years to come.
