ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER

My passion for photography started at the age of ten as a result of a grade school science teacher who loved the art of photography. He started a small club for a group of students who were shy, quiet. He saw the medium as a way to express ourselves and also learn a bit about chemistry at the same time. 

As the years went by I saved enough to buy a used camera and went about learning composition and light, developing and printing my own film.

In college photography was my outlet for stress, walking around town and looking at Charlotte in a more creative light. 

After college I managed a professionally based camera store (Adger Smythe Cameras) and I became a sponge to the many pros in town. I keenly listened to them explain how they did, what they did. I loved in studio lighting and it was not unusual for me to take some of the newest gear to studios for photogs to play with. I knew the mechanics of the equipment and learned the theory watching and working with them.

After a career in the fire service where I shot for the Charlotte Fire Dept. as well as contributed to the City of Charlotte, I chose photography as a future endeavor after I retired. So in 2000 I started shooting for real; weddings, sports, events whatever paid for my gear and increased my portfolio.

Since 2015 I have been a contract photographer for USA Today Sports Images and have worked for clients such as the American Red Cross, Antawn Jamison All Star Camps, Second Breath Foundation, Game Seven Marketing, 24 Foundation, ICON Sports Images, NCSA, NFL Flag, Adidas, Yahoo Sports, Rivals 5 Star Camps. My images have been published worldwide in print and on the net for sites such as Sports Illustrated, USA Today, Charlotte Observer, Forbes, Yahoo, MSN, ESPN, Pro Football Weekly, MLS, PGA Tour, Golf Digest, and many more.

I am located in the Charlotte, NC metro area and available to travel wherever necessary. I hope you'll allow me to capture your photos regardless what the subject, I think you'll find a pretty good variety of my work and my capabilities. I look forward to talking with you!

Jim