Hello, James! Long time no "see"- I'm so excited to have the opportunity to chat with you! Readers: I speak to James Saverio Stewart of James Stewart Photography today. James and I met and worked together in 2017 at the Reebok CrossFit Games in Madison, Wisconsin. He was a photographer and I was a photo editor that year.



So, James, could you tell readers a bit about yourself? Where did you grow up?

Ramsey, New Jersey

Did you play sports as a kid?

Baseball and Soccer

Where do you live now?

Hoboken, NJ

Anything else you’d like readers to know about you?

I’m a drone pilot and have a Part 107 remote pilot certificate from the FAA. This allows me to fly drones commercially.

How long have you been a photographer? When did you start?

I have always taken my father’s Nikon film camera and taken pictures since I was very a little kid. I took it all four years in high school and then I majored in it in college. So all in all, I started shooting films in the 1980s!

Awesome! I love that. Film was a great medium to learn. I feel that it helps photographers learn a whole different way of thinking before they ever can shoot with a digital camera.


What was your first “pro” camera?

My first “pro” camera would be the Canon EOS 7D, bought ~2011.

What camera(s) do you currently shoot with?

I currently shoot with Canon R6 and R5.

What makes a “professional photographer” in your opinion?

Being a professional photographer is all about combining technical skills, artistic vision, and business savvy. You need to master your gear, understand exposure, composition, and lighting, and be proficient in post-processing. You have creativity and are a storyteller while capturing

and conveying emotions in your shots. Building strong client relationships, marketing yourself effectively, and managing the business side is crucial. You must be reliable, ethical, and always learning and constantly improving your skill set.

Great answer.


What was your first paid photography gig?

I shot a 40th birthday party at the Knights of Columbus back in 2005.

What was your first paid sports photography gig (if different from the gig above)?

My first paid sports photography gig was shooting “The Pump Games” in 2013. It was a 2-day, local CrossFit competition in East Hanover, NJ.

What was one of your favorite events/competitions/games/matches that you shot?

By far, my favorite event(s) that I was hired to shoot were the CrossFit Games the first year they were in Madison, [Wisconsin], and some of the Regionals. I’ve shot for both CrossFit Inc. and for some of the sponsors. Recently, I’ve started to shoot a good deal of Padel in NYC. It is a racket sport of Mexican origin, played in doubles on an enclosed court slightly smaller than a doubles tennis court. I find it a very exciting sport to shoot.

I've not heard of Padel. It sounds very fast and exciting! And yes, I am so glad we met at the Games in Madison in 2017. That was such a fun year.


Do you do your own photo editing?

Yes

Do you like photo editing? Why or why not?

I do enjoy editing. It can be time-consuming and gets exhausting sometimes. I feel that for a lot of my work, it’s the final part of what makes my images look like my images. Over the years, I’ve really tried to work less on editing and more on nailing as much as possible in-camera. It dramatically reduced the amount of time I spend on editing.

What photography jobs do you have coming up that you are excited about?

I shoot for a couple of gyms on a monthly retainer. I love shooting sports, especially CrossFit, fitness, and athletes.

What kinds of non-sports-related photo jobs do you take?

I’ll shoot any project, large or small involving dogs! I’m also working simultaneously on my headshots. I’ve done them for a while, but I’m working on some new lighting and setups.

What is a topic related to photography in general, or more specifically sports photography, that you are passionate about?

In photography, art, and in general, I’m super excited and a little worried about AI. I’ve used generative AI for a year and a half now, and some of the images that I’ve created have been insane. I really feel that as creatives, especially photographers, we all should learn to use these tools as much as

possible. I still feel that having photo knowledge going into using these tools is a huge advantage. Learning to prompt and work with generative AI is a must. I don’t think AI is going to wipe out all our jobs, but I do think that you will be out of a job if you don’t learn to use AI as part of your toolkit. It’s going to shift the balance in a big way for creatives and I’m really excited to see how those tools will be used in the future.

I've seen some of your AI work and it is incredible. I like your thoughts and approaches to photographers' use of AI. It's a different way to think about it. Learn to use it when needed and don't be afraid of it. If you bury your head in the sand or are afraid of it, you might be left behind.


Who were/are your mentors?

I’ve always been drawn to Joel Grimes, Tim Tadder, Carlos Serrao, Peter Hurley, Dorothea Lange, and Mathew Brady. None of them know, but

they have influenced my work tremendously.

What would be an event/competition/game that you would love to shoot someday?

Anything in the Olympics, X games, that moves fast or that you need a drone or helicopter to film.

What sport have you not shot yet that you would love to shoot?

Soccer or hockey

With you living in New Jersey, I hope you can have the opportunity to shoot some hockey sometime soon!


Thank you so much, James, for taking the time to do this interview. It was wonderful to be able to catch up with you. I appreciate your time, especially knowing how busy you are. Readers can find James on Instagram and his website.


Catch up next week for another interview with a sports photographer! Email wendy@wendynielsenphoto.com if you would like to be interviewed, or if there is someone you'd like to hear from. I will reach out to them!

~ Wendy