Jim Wright
Photographer and Director
Capturing the Essence of Iconic Faces and the American Landscape
Jim Wright is an internationally recognized photographer who has traveled the globe photographing some of the most celebrated names in the movie, fashion, music and pop-culture worlds.
An award-winning photographer, Jim has shot hundreds of magazine covers, including Rolling Stone, GQ, People, Town & Country, and InStyle, to name a few. A smattering of celebrities and pop icons Jim has photographed include Beyonce, Jon Bon Jovi, Jeff Bridges, Luke Bryan, Kevin Costner, Sheryl Crow, Claire Danes, Sanjay Gupta, Scarlett Johannson, Miranda Lambert, Michelle Obama, Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Shania Twain, Bruce Willis, and Jay-Z.
But capturing the beauty of American life is his passion. Whether it’s landscapes, seascapes or visions of an American past, Jim captures them in a way that feels familiar and altogether new at the same time.
Born and raised in Sea Isle City, New Jersey, Jim lives in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, after spending 30 years in Venice Beach, California. Jim graduated from the Art Institute of Philadelphia. He lives happily with his wife, Megan, daughter Lennon Marie, and his trusty dog, Bear.
A WORD FROM THE PHOTOGRAPHER
“The images that I create are mostly derived from memories. Whether it be from past experiences, films, or artwork, I always seem to find some kind of familiarity and essence of the past. This may be the reason that I return time and again to the same locations. While I believe that better days are always in the future, there seems to be a comfort in our memories of the past. So as an artist, I look for subject matter that brings that essence of comfort.”
~ Jim Wright
Signature Topics
“I Hear Photographs”
Jim shares his internal visual creative process and how it is influenced by various artistic disciplines which include literature, films, dance, history, and especially music. Jim also presents his ongoing series of personal diaries which he terms “Visual Streams of Consciousness”.
The Beauty of Americana – A Personal Tribute to American Life Through the Lens
Jim takes you on his personal journey of what catches his eye and how he sees America through his lens. He also discusses why it is important to document landscapes and scenes from what seem like bygone eras. And more importantly the personal journey that Jim is on when making these images. Jim shares the role of personal and collective memory in his work and discusses how memories influence artistic choices and storytelling. He also provides techniques for translating memories into powerful visual art.
“Personal Journey: From New Jersey to Hollywood to Nashville”
Jim gives an in-depth talk that describes his personal journey and his decision to leave humble roots in New Jersey to chase his dreams in Hollywood. He then goes on to tell how Nashville came into play. Overcoming the loss of his parents at a young age, Jim used this loss as a backbone of empowerment and, in the process, found out who he really was all along—just a guy from Jersey.
Portrait Photography: The Art of Capturing the Essence of an Individual
Insights on recognizing your subject’s individuality and how to capture it, what makes a good portrait and the connection that needs to be made through the camera
From Iconic Celebrities to Everyday Moments: A Photographer’s Journey
Jim shares experiences and lessons learned from photographing famous personalities. He compares the challenges and rewards of capturing both high-profile and ordinary subjects and offers insights into maintaining authenticity and creativity across diverse projects.