HIS JOURNEY

“From it’s inception in 1826, the photograph has empowered us to capture an eyewitness account of our shared human experience, where words alone run out. It’s impossible to overstate the importance of photography to my life. It’s a language that has allowed me to record and share my nomadic journey across continents, time and societal change.”

– RUSSELL JAMES

James’ singular artistic vision weaves together technical mastery, journey through place and time, celebrity, fashion and humanitarian purpose, with an uncompromising commitment to authentic storytelling.

Born in Perth, Australia in 1962 to a working-class family, James’ vision was forged in the vast landscapes of remote Australia, where his father introduced him to both the raw beauty of the outback and the profound cultural depth of Aboriginal communities still living within their ancestral traditions.

This early exposure would prove transformative, establishing the humanitarian thread that now runs throughout his distinguished career. James followed his artistic calling in the mid-1980s, embarking on a journey through the lens that took him to Japan, Africa and Europe. Recognition of his works originally came through European publications that led to his pivotal arrival in New York in 1996.

There, James broke new ground by shooting for major fashion houses and established himself as an international photographer, catapulting him into the global spotlight. Over the next two decades James refifined his mastery of portraiture, landscape and cultural works around the world.

Commercial success never diminished his humanitarian vision. In 2001, James founded the Nomad Two Worlds Foundation, dedicated to providing opportunities for indigenous and marginalized artists worldwide.

Through innovative collaborations based on his photography in collaboration with artists from diverse cultures, the resulting international exhibitions have created sustainable opportunities for traditionally underrepresented voices. This collection, now partly housed in an Australian museum, continues to grow and generate opportunities through his foundation’s ongoing programs.

James’s artistic range is extraordinary—from tribal elders to heads of state, from supermodels such as Kendall Jenner, Gisele Bündchen, Gigi Hadid and Cindy Crawford to acclaimed actors such as Hugh Jackman, Barbra Streisand, Halle Berry, and Scarlett Johannson.

His seven published volumes, beginning with his bestselling 300-page debut in 2008, span the subjects of fifigurative form, indigenous culture, the world’s most celebrated people, and established him as both chronicler and creator of cultural moments.

His international recognitions span the diverse genres
of his work: fashion industry honours at the highest level, technical awards from companies like Hasselblad, and governmental recognition culminating in the Medal of the Order of Australia, awarded to him by Queen Elizabeth II, in recognition of his compelling photography work in support of indigenous and marginalized communities worldwide.

His global exhibitions have been featured in prestigious galleries, beginning with his founding gallery Camera Work in Berlin, to venues in New York, Los Angeles, Sydney, Shanghai, Beijing and beyond. Currently residing between New York and Perth, James continues to engage with the highest echelons of fashion, celebrity, and politics while maintaining his deep connection to landscape photography and ancient cultures.

His forthcoming 2026 publication, museum and gallery tour promises, for the first time, to encapsulate all genres of his work, showcasing three decades of artistic evolution, technical innovation, humanitarian impact and a compelling new portrait series of people of extraordinary accomplishment - a testament to a career that has consistently elevated the importance of the art of photography and the communities it serves.