Russell James Autobiographical Sketch from his Facebook:
Born in Australia, I started my career as a laborer in a trash can factory. It took more then two decades to find my way from Perth, Australia to the fashion world of New York City. I traveled the world from 1987 to 1996 trying get my photography career started. In 1997, I was on the brink of having to admit defeat and go back to Australia and get a factory job, but then I got my 'break'. I was asked to shoot Tyra Banks for the cover of Sports Illustrated and to shoot a fashion story for W magazine in the same week. That was really the beginning of my career that now includes photographing for major brands and magazines, as well as my personal art photography that has regular gallery openings in cities around the world. In the more recent years, my passion has extended to using my art to create awareness and raise funds for preservation of culture and child health research.
I am lucky to have three amazing children, Emily, Lola and Harry, who are a great inspiration for me, and I love my job more today than the day I started.
I am passionate about my work for preservation of culture that was inspired by my relationship with Australian indigenous people. I love to go sailing when I get the chance, though that is rare these days.