As we usher out a year that I would describe as globally and politically tumultuous, and also one that has had a profound evolution on social issues, I consider how these factors have impacted my view through the lens. As a photographer, I believe the creative mission includes preserving the past, properly representing the present, and offering a visual interpretation of the future – very lofty words I know! What I saw change in front of my camera may very well affect all aspects of photography in the years to come, from fine art, to reportage, to advertising.
With that in mind, here is a quick snapshot of my year with the pun entirely intended.
I started and ended my year with the honor of presenting awards to two individual friends, both notably extraordinary women and each with a large sphere of influence. I met both through my lens and over time that lead to terrific friendships, a magic power that the camera seems to have. In January, I presented Candice Swanepoel with the award for ‘Entrepreneurism’ at The Daily Front Row 5th Annual Fashion Los Angeles Award Ceremony in Beverly Hills. I admit I was glad to speak and present the award before fellow presenter Lady Gaga, as she would have been be a very hard act to follow! In December, I presented my dear friend, my nomadic collaborator and world-renowned designer, Donna Karan, with a Lifetime Achievement Award for Caring and Giving at The David Lynch Foundation Women of Vision 2019 Awards in New York. What Donna has done over the years to help others is simply indescribable. As I said in my introduction that day, if I were to create a voicemail greeting for Donna, it would just say, “This is Donna. How can I help?”
My fashion work took me from the Italian Alps to the top of New York City skyscrapers to more familiar studios in New York and LA. Of course, the locations were irrelevant to the outcome as I had the great fortune to work some of the best talent in the world, such as Kendall Jenner, Liu Wen, Joan Smalls, Georgia May Jagger, and Johnny Huang to name a few.
Currently, swimwear and lingerie are two of the markets facing the most disruption as brands search for the right ways to evolve with the profound social changes that are taking place. As a photographer, it is essential to understand how these changes affect products, marketing and the creative approach to both. As always, I learn the most about this space by listening to the people in the shots and asking what they find empowering in an image rather than dictating that. It’s an ultimate area of collaboration and respect between the photographer and subject and one that I cherish.
This year, I also continued building my ‘Backstage’ collection in my ‘spare time’. I had the extraordinary opportunity to cover Barbra Streisand in the days leading up to her one-night only show in legendary Hyde Park in London. Those unforgettable few days allowed me the opportunity to capture the quiet moments in her hotel suite with her beloved dogs to literally walking behind her as she took the stage in front of a vast crowd of 75,000 people on a perfect summer night. It allowed me a great glimpse into what it might be like to be one of the most famous and recognizable people on the planet.
My ‘Hero of the Year’ is undoubtedly Keala Settle. I became a fan after her jaw-dropping performance in ‘The Greatest Showman’ in 2018. Hugh Jackman introduced us during his global stage tour a few months ago and I was fortunate to be at Madison Square Garden when she performed her smash hit ‘This Is Me.’ I’m no talent scout but in Keala’s case I was floored by her performance, voice and energy. I reached out and asked (begged) for the opportunity to shoot together. We have since shot a portrait series that will be published next year (sneak peak below). Referring back to that magical power of the camera, Keala and I have since become good friends. A pure talent with a huge heart is the best description of her that I can muster. I am sure we will all be seeing and hearing a lot more from Keala in the upcoming year.
Another person who has had a profound impact on our industry is Rihanna, who recently launched her self-titled photo book. I was delighted to have my images amongst those included in this visual autobiography.
During the European Summer, I was proud to be the subject of a solo opening of my fine art portraits at Camera Work in Berlin, the gallery where my fine art career began. The show was titled ‘Icons and Angels’ and featured my works from as early as 2001 through the present. As an extra treat, Camera Work featured one of my works at Paris Photo, which is one of the world’s most premiere photography fine art events. I’m very excited about my upcoming 2020 show with Camera Work; a sneak-peak and a few words about that can be found via this link: https://camerawork.de/en/artists-russell-james/
2019 also marked the beginning of a new relationship with one of the leading galleries in the USA that I have admired from afar since I started photography, Fahey/Klein in Los Angeles. I was awestruck to walk in and see my photography hanging on the walls among some of the world’s greats like Irving Penn, Peter Lindberg and Mary Ellen Mark. When I search the web and land on their page and see my works, I’m sure it’s a Google error. You can find some of my featured works at this link: http://www.faheykleingallery.com/artists/russell-james/featured-works?view=thumbnails
None of this would have been possible without having the best representation in the world.
In 2019 CAA (Creative Artists Agency) became my worldwide agency. The most dominant creative agency in the world, they represent many of the biggest names in Hollywood, music, sports and fashion. I am now one of four photographers to be represented by them. Big things are coming in this space in 2020. As the collaboration develops, you can read more about it via the link below:
https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/exclusive-russell-james-signs-with-caa-1203395167/
Along those lines, David Maloney www.Maloneyartistmanagement.com made the poor business decision to join me as my manager. David comes with extraordinary experience and represents artists that I look up to such as Steve McCurry, Rankin and Michael Avedon. With David as my manager and CAA as my worldwide agency, I’m ecstatic about the prospects for 2020, beginning with a museum show in Russia and a major gallery show in London (more to come on both of those in January).
I’ll close with a few words about a project I call ‘BELONG.’ My life story began in Western Australia with a very special connection to a place called the Kimberly Ranges. It is one of the most remote, prehistoric and beautiful places on earth. This year, I was given the most generous support that enabled me to create an entire art project centered on and inspired by Kimberly, my true roots to this planet. It will premiere in Fall 2020.
As this amazing and turbulent year comes to an end, I can’t wait to see what 2020 brings. No idea what happens next and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Bring it on!
