James grew up in rural Maine, making movies with his parents' VHS camcorder. In 2003, he spent his sophomore year of high school in Puebla, Mexico, where he developed a passion for the poor. He attended Messiah College, majoring in Film Production and graduating in 2009. That same year, he traveled throughout northern India, documenting the path of a flood that swept the region. He joined Jamie Moffett Media Design and Production in September, and was able to put his Spanish skills to work on Return to El Salvador.
James is an ardent photographer and greatly admires the work of Henri Cartier-Bresson and Roger Deakins. A proud South Philadelphian, he lives in Point Breeze with his wife, Laura, and their shepherd mix, Julius.