Born in Washington D.C. in the winter of 1984, James was raised in the suburban sprawl surrounding the city by a loving mother and father who worked for a printing firm based in D.C. His father, while working with some of the most influential magazine publishers of the time, unknowingly instilled a deep appreciation for editorial work in James. This appreciation manifested when his father gave James his first camera for Christmas at the age of 15. He attended the University of Delaware where he received a BFA in Photography. Before leaving college James participated in notable internships with National Geographic photographer Robb Kendrick, Bob Scott, and David Sacks, all of whom helped to influence and shape his unique perspective and work ethic. While at college, he won numerous awards for his photographs, including having his work selected for the End of the Year show, and Photographer of the Year in 2006 and 2007.

Following James’ graduation from the University of Delaware in 2007, he moved to New York and began working for award-winning photographer Craig Cutler, also a Delaware graduate. After working with Craig for some time, he got the opportunity to head out west and photograph skiing. This being another one of his passions, he jumped at the chance. During five months in Utah, James photographed every aspect of ski culture, and has since had a gallery showing of his winter work. At age 25, he had been published in local and national magazines, including the cover of National Ski Patrol Magazine in 2009. Since then he has opened The James Douglas Studio LLC in lower Manhattan and has begun working with clients who range from Black Diamond Sports Equipment to Staples.

With the studio producing commercial and editorial work regularly, James has found himself with less and less downtime, which he manages to split between the mountains of Utah and his family home on the Chesapeake Bay.