“In his photography, James Houston creates a dialogue between the beauty of the human body and the changing forms of nature. Color and shapes meet in an almost sensorial experience. you can feel the heat and the touch just from looking at the images.”

 

Stefano Tonchi, Editor in Chief, W Magazine

          Australian-born James Houston is regarded as one of the world’s leading body and beauty photographers. He grew up in the Australian outback where he developed a love for nature and the great outdoors. He bought his first camera in the early 80’s while modeling in Tokyo and spent the following five years traveling in Europe building his photography portfolio. He then headed back to Australia where he started shooting cover and fashion stories for Australian Vogue and Oyster Magazine, among others.

         As a self-taught photographer inspired by his earlier work as a ceramic sculptor Houston published his first photographic book titled RAW in 1993. The book featured naked bodies captured in natural landscapes where you could really see the influence sculpture had on his work as a photographer. RAW was launched with an exhibition at Byron Mapp Gallery in Paddington Sydney.

          One of his photographs ‘Buried Nude’ captured on the black beaches of Santorini went on to win the 1995 AIPP (Australian Institute of Professional Photography) Awards Baltronics Landscape Self Commissioned Award as well as the coveted Elite Photo Imaging Award for overall highest scoring print.

             For his next published book project titled RAWMOVES James photographed the three leading dance companies in Australia; The Australian Ballet, Sydney Dance Company and Bangarra contemporary Aboriginal Dance company. The powerful series of photographs were launched with an exhibition in Australia in 2000 which then travelled to Asia.

        After several commissioned portrait shoots in Australia for New York based Interview Magazine with Guy Pearce and Eric Bana, Houston moved to New York in 2000. Based out of New York he enjoyed a global career that saw him travelling to Asia, Africa and Europe.

        Reknown for his sculptural body work and beautiful skin lighting he worked regularly on international campaigns for clients such as L’Oreal Paris, GAP, Donna Karan, Hugo Boss and Givenchy. His eye for beauty has also made him popular with celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Blake Lively, Jessica Alba, Emma Watson, Jessica Alba and Hugh Jackman. Editorially James has worked for American Vogue, UK Glamor, Interview Magazine and Harpers Bazaar.

         In 2005 Houston launched his next published book titled ‘ONE Yogamoves’, a study of naked yoga form. This series of powerful graphic images was launched in Australia by Sarah Murdoch to benefit and raise awareness for The Breast Cancer Association of Australia. Houston photographed leading yoga instructors for the book and Christy Turlington.

        Following the success of ONE Houston went on to photograph his next project titled ‘MOVE’, capturing New York’s leading dancers to raise funds and awareness for HIV/AIDS charities. MOVE FOR AIDS was launched in New York at MILK Galleries to benefit DRA (Dancers Responding to AIDS) sponsored by Hugo Boss. Hugh Jackman wrote the foreword for the book and hosted the event. The project then launched in London with a star- studded fund-raising event hosted by Elle Macpherson supporting the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Finally, the project launched in Sydney at the Norman Foster Hall with Sir Elton John himself as guest of honor. The A-List event was sponsored by Deutsche Bank and was named event of the year by the Sydney Morning Herald.

       In 2011 Houston began working on his fifth published book project titled Natural Beauty to raise funds and awareness for the environment and benefit The Global Green Foundation. For the project James photographed the world’s top models including Karlie Kloss, Arizona Muse, Irina Shayk and Christy Turlington and celebrities Emma Watson, Caitriona Balfe and Adrian Grenier. Inspired by nature the project was launched in New York at MILK Galleries in 2103 with a high profiled event sponsored by W magazine and Dom Perignon. Houston also directed a web series on the making of Natural Beauty which was released to support the launch.

          As a passionate activist he has enjoyed using his talents to bring awareness to various causes and raised millions of dollars for numerous charities worldwide. Today he lives with his husband and daughter between Los Angeles and New York.