About James
Well let's see how did I get started in all this.
I was born in July of 1978 which my mom insists was one of the hottest on record in Dallas, TX. I got my first camera, a little 110 Kodak Camera back in the mid-80's. I remember winding the film, pressing the shutter release and hearing the tiny click and knowing that something magical just happened in that little red box. Back then I really had no idea what the negatives were in the photo sleeves. They were just something your weren't supposed to touch and get fingerprints on. Like most everyone I had other cameras along the way, but it wasn't until my senior year of high school in East Texas that I received my first real camera, a Pentax K1000. For those that never had anything like this, lets just say you could drive nails with one these. Anyhow, the Editor in Chief of National Geographic back in 1996, who attended my high school, did a presentation on Nat. Geo. Photography and all of his experiences along the way. From then on I was hooked. I was always shooting through college. In 2000 I got a real photo job working for a company in Knoxville, and started shooting weddings in 2003.
In 2007 I came up to Cincinnati and started Shattered Glass Photography.
The rest, as they would say, is history but ever since being here in Cincinnati I've come to discover so much more about people, relationships and finding and capturing moments. There is just so much life in captured moments. They can be soft and intimate, bold and solemn, spontaneous and vivacious, or smooth and flowing. We strive to not only capture these moments, but present them in their best light, teasing out all of the depth and emotion that was present when the moment was realized. This is easily the most challenging and fascinating thing in my life. I get to be a part of your life, even if just for a moment, and I am nothing less than honored to help tell your story.
Other Tidbits (for those still reading):
I was a band nerd. I played French Horn for 13 years. I even played the violin for one year.
I have traveled a lot. I haven't quite hit all 50 states, but getting close.
I know what it's like to witness (and photograph) a moonrise in Yosemite Valley, a sunset in the Grand Canyon, and a small flower growing in a nook in the Coliseum.
I love History. The Museum Center at Union Terminal is great! You should go.
I've had my share of awkward portraits. You know the ones, the school pictures where somehow your way-too-big-for-your-face glasses were crooked or the high school dance portrait, where somehow, and miraculously even (being the band nerd that you were) you managed to take your class high school beauty to homecoming and your tie was crooked and you have a dopey look on your face....... No, hadn't happened to you. Hmmm......well.....yeah....that was me. Anyhow, the point is your going to have a great time with us. We know what it's like and we'll work together to make some wonderful images!
We are totally dedicated to you. We want you to leave excited and thrilled. Please don't hesitate to contact us if have something special or unique in mind.