James Aiken Photography

B I O G R A P H Y

Having grown up in the small town of Underhill, Vermont allowed me to be free and experience life at my own pace. I never saw the camera as a tool for art until a high school elective class in Black and White photography. It didn't take long before I was begging my teacher for more film and more time in the darkroom. I absconded with my fathers Pentax 35mm SLR for almost four years before getting my own camera and lens. This developed my passion for the process and art of photography.

College found me in Boston, Massachusetts at Northeastern University. I got a degree in architecture, but found time to take some Black and White photography courses from Neal Rantoul at Northeastern. Neal introduced me to the Zone system and refined my darkroom skills. He also pushed me to look at the world in tones of grey, and find my own vision.

Post college was a time of work in architecture and unfortunately not much photography. After the birth of my son I found my camera again and began to carry it with me everywhere. A move to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the proximity of the University City Arts League renewed my desire for the camera and darkroom. I was able to experiment and refine my darkroom practices.

Recently the birth of my daughter and a move to New York City, has given me some inspiration to try and progress as a photographer. My good friend Kyli has encouraged and nudged me to move beyond my boundaries in order to market my vision of the world, to the world.

I hope that you find my work compelling and provacative. Thank you for taking the time to view my images and read my biography.

TOOLS OF THE TRADE