Meet Clare James

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Clare James. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Clare below.

Clare, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

Whilst studying Geography at university I used to get told that my assignments were written to poetically not scientifically enough. I loved learning about the processes that shape our natural world but have always been more creative than scientific. This combined with a love of the ocean and wildlife, led me to the path I am on now.

I spent a lot of time whilst studying learning to Scuba dive and surf, in doing so I was given an underwater camera and never looked back. On leaving university I got a job out in Mexico as a dive instructor and working on a coral reef regeneration, part of the role was to take photos of the work and people I was teaching.

Following this I was offered a job out in South Africa in which I was Course Director for a Wildlife, underwater and sports photography internship alongside teaching diving. The combination of being able to use my photographic and film skills in order to tell important conservation stories and share the work that talented scientists were doing was something that developed whilst out there and I found my purpose, enabling me to use my creativity to tell meaningful stories and in doing so raise awareness and help positive change to happen.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am a freelance photographer and filmmaker based in South-West England. With a focus on shooting outdoor, travel, sports and ocean based photography and film for a variety of brands and conservation charities.

My work leads me to many corners of the world, documenting wildlife, expeditions, travel and helping to launch new products.

I have been in the photography and film industry for 13 years, the last 5 of which I have been freelancing, based out of Cornwall. Prior to this I lived and worked in Mexico and South Africa on a variety of projects.

A huge part of my work is ocean based, as an avid surfer and diver the ocean is close to my heart so working with brands and charities helping to protect the ocean is a huge part of my work and what inspires me. I have an in-water housing and love capturing the ocean landscape. Alongside the commercial work I sell prints of my images and have recently been featured in a couple of local exhibitions.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

This is an interesting question I give guest lectures for the University of Falmouth Marine and Natural. History Photography course and from doing this I think that the most impactful skills to make your career or dream a success are

Tenacity
It has taken 13 years of hard-work, driven by passion to make my business a success. The most important think is to never give up. If you want something strongly enough you will make it happen.

Diversity
Sometimes the going gets tough, after going freelance, covid hit and I had to diversify to survive those years. I went into commercial property photography for a while to keep afloat. Now although I am back covering events, expeditions and conservation stories. I also have that string to my bow.

Net-working
I think being aware that every day has potential to hold that ground breaking meeting or moment that gets you a project. If someone offers you an opportunity be sure to take it as you never know where it will lead or who you will meet. Having a good network of contacts and keeping the clients you have happy is very important.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

I am always on the lookout for new projects to work on, either in the commercial or conservation sector.
If you require a female photographer, filmmaker, surfer, dive instructor and part time model it would be wonderful to hear from you and talk further, happy to travel for projects

You can see more of my work at
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clarejamesphotography/
Website: https://www.clarejamesphotography.com/home

Feel free to contact me on [email protected] or 07778528313

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