Charlie Hamilton James

Charlie Hamilton James is a world-renowned National Geographic photographer, filmmaker and author known for his captivating work on wildlife and conservation issues. Growing up in the city of Bristol, his interest in photography began at a young age when his parents gave him a camera for his 13th birthday. Charlie began his career at 16, working on David Attenborough’s “Trails of Life” series for the BBC. Before becoming a wildlife cameraman, he worked on several series, including “Planet Earth” and “The Natural World.” He shot and produced his first film at 26, “My Halcyon River,” which was voted by an industry poll to be one of the top ten wildlife films of all time. Charlie’s television work has won numerous awards, including Wildscreen and the Royal Television Society Award for Cinematography twice, and he is also BAFTA- and EmmyⓇ-nominated.

Charlie started working as a photographer for National Geographic magazine in his 30s and has shot 13 stories to date, including two covers. In 2021, his coverage of the Serengeti filled an entire issue of the magazine, showcasing the changing dynamics of life for people and animals in the region. He has also worked on stories for the magazine in the Amazon, the U.S. and across Africa, covering topics ranging from bird cognition to rats. In 2022, he was awarded the National Geographic Photographer’s Photographer Award. Charlie’s current photography work centers on a series of provocative fine art images titled “End Times.” The series documents the current state of the planet, in bold, sometimes offensive, and always controversial ways. They are designed to be both dark and funny, leaving the viewer with more questions than answers.