“I have a real fascination with water, light and colour”

Anna James is a PADI Rescue Diver. She has travelled all over the world with her favourite waters being in South East Asia.

“As a child I grew up being constantly bombarded by the fantastic underwater pictures of my father, Alan James.”

He spent over 20 years travelling the world with his camera to far off and distant places. He won numerous awards during his career including British Wildlife Photographer of the Year, 2004.

I had T Shirts from all over the world but I hadn’t been to any of the destinations to see them for myself. It was impossible to look at the photographs and not want to try and replicate them for yourself.

Anna learnt to dive in British Waters aged 19.
 The viz was very questionable, at times not being able to see my own hand! But I knew things could only get better.

 I joined a trip to Ireland and had the most amazing time diving through swaying, dancing sea kelp, with inquisitive seals popping up here and there. Most memorable was my first night dive spent trying to capture a photograph of a fast moving 2cm baby cuttlefish. They are tiny to focus on and quick to change direction – it certainly got my adrenaline pumping. Needless to say I didn’t capture the Winning photograph of that trip but I sat in awe as I watched the results of the other photographers. My ambitious apetite began to grow.

I worked very hard on my underwater photography and slowly but surely gained skills good enough to achieve powerful and colourful images. Now every trip is filled with excitement and exploration. I study the reefs in great detail looking under every crevice to find a new critter to photograph. I am constantly looking for new ideas, subjects and angles.

Anna loves to photograph wildlife but she is also keen to take abstract images, playing with shallow depth of field, and interesting textures to create obscure yet bright and bold images.
“I love to capture that natural beauty of nature. To show off the vibrant colours and patterns of the ocean.”

In 2001 Anna qualified with a BA Honours in Film and Video production. She doubles her career as an Underwater Photographer with one as a Focus Puller (Camera Assistant) in film and television production. Her film career includes working on shows such as Doctor Who, Torchwood, New Tricks, The Street, and Hotel Babylon. With films including the soon to be released; Valhalla Rising, and current Christmas cinema hit; Nativity.

“During my camera assisting career I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to work with some great cinematographers. While I work, I watch how they work and ask questions as I go. I am able to apply ideas and techniques that I gain from my film shoots into my underwater work.”

Anna has also created some underwater corporate films. Her latest corporate video is available to see at http://www.waterbabies.co.uk/ .
She also shot an underwater sequence on film, for a Welsh Language Drama – Y Pris in 2007.

In 2004 Anna joined forces with WaterBabies, the UK’s largest Baby Swimming Company. Waterbabies teach over 20,000 babies each week to swim! She was the second photographer to join the now 7 strong team. Travelling up and down the country to shoot underwater baby portraits at weekends.

Anna photographed over 1000 babies in 2009 alone! Which equates to over 24 hours of holding her breath in one year!

In the prestigious British Underwater Image Festival, Anna achieved 2nd Place with a portfolio of Water babies photographs.

Anna has been a member of the Bristol Underwater Photography Group since 2006 and she has been a member of the British Society of Underwater Photographers since 2007. (See links)

Future aspirations are to build a gallery of her images to sell as fine art prints.
 To extend her creative work by producing advertising images and videos.
She wishes to continue her exploration of the world underwater and, she would love to experience ice diving.