About Vaughan James

I bought my first camera when I was 14 years old. I travelled around the world and nearly 40 years later I am still taking pictures. What's exciting is seeing new things everyday and being invited into other people's lives.

I was born in New Zealand in 1970. My passion for photography started in 1984, when 14 years old I bought my first camera at a garage sale.

As a child I was inspired by nature and water and continued this passion at high school where I began to study photography. 

After high school I went onto university and studied Economics and Marketing at University of Auckland, once graduating my passion and energy was focused on traveling. Still with my camera, I was now more inspired by the stories and lives of people and portraits.  In the early 90´s I lived in Los Angeles and pursued acting.

In 1993, I founded my own commercial photographic company and knew I had found the industry I was totally committed and passionate about.  I have work on project-based photos shoots for big advertising agencies, corporate clients, newspapers, brands, big soft drink brands and the airline industry.  

In 2001 I moved to Singapore where I worked as director making TV commercials and also became the editor of a design magazine.

In 2002, I travelled to Switzerland and continued to work on photography and painting. 

Over the last 20 years I have focused on my own personal work. For the last 9 years I have been working on Water the Essential book project. 

Other book projects

My Self in Others a book of portraits

Fish Wanted, Dead Or Alive

The Trees of Knowledge

Vaughan James, Photographer