Ian's Story

The first time Ian James picked up a camera was on his 10th birthday. His grandparents had bought him a ‘Photosport Starlite 110’ from Boots the Chemist. It was his first camera and with it a lifelong passion and career for photography was born.

After he left school, Ian found employment in his native London at a commercial car photography studio as a photographer’s assistant and later as a studio technician. This was a huge and demanding technical leap for the - up to now - young hobbyist photographer.

A college education in photography followed and Ian expanded his career into new areas of photography, working in studios that specialised in car photography, architectural photography, portraiture and fashion.

Today Ian’s portfolio focuses on traditional landscapes - mainly the west coast and interior of Ireland and the British Isles whilst maintaining his love of documenting the changing face of architecture, capturing the architectural evolution and history of London in particular.

Ian’s portfolio is ever expanding. It is a work of continuous endeavour.

As a photographer, Ian’s focus is on composition. His inspiration originates with the celebrated landscape and social commentary photographers of the 1930s to the 1950s. Photographers such as: Ansel Adams, Bill Brandt, Elliott Erwitt and Paul Strand. From an abstract perspective, Man Ray is also an influence. It was the work of these photographic pioneers that first inspired, and continue to inspire, Ian in his photographic journey.