Driven by the belief that beautiful things don’t ask for attention, James finds inspiration in the quiet, unassuming details of everyday life.

With an eye for nuance and a deep appreciation for the overlooked, he captures fleeting moments that might otherwise go unnoticed — a shadow stretching across a sidewalk, the hint of a smile just before it fully forms, the stillness of a morning window, or the curve of a shoulder as it relaxes between poses.

He works primarily with natural light, capturing intimate portraits and serene landscapes — often blending the two to explore the quiet connection between people and place. His shoots are always approached with curiosity and respect. Whether shooting on a modern camera or loading a roll of expired film into a vintage 35mm or medium format body, James embraces the unique qualities each brings. The result is a body of work that feels timeless, textured, and deeply human.

With every frame, James invites viewers to slow down, look closer, and find beauty in the ordinary.

A person taking a selfie with a camera in an elevator, with a dark interior and a yellowish light above, reflected in the mirror.

James Forbes is a photographer and design director in Dallas, blending a passion for storytelling with inspiration drawn from both lifestyle & environmental portraiture as well as cinematic imagery.

A woman sitting on a blue tufted armchair with her knees pulled up, wearing a loose gray T-shirt and white socks, resting her chin on her hand, in a softly lit room with a vase of dried flowers on a small dark table beside her.
The art installation called "Wood Line" by Andy Goldsworthy which is a winding series of trees on the ground through a dense forest with tall trees on either side.
Close-up of a rain puddle with fallen leaves along a sidewalk, blurred background with greenery and a fence.
A woman with long dark hair wearing a white crochet dress standing in a sunlit wooded area, holding a stick, with a serious expression on her face.
Old, weathered white wooden house with peeling paint, surrounded by green grass and trees.
A young woman with long blonde hair and fair skin at a carnival, standing near a cotton candy stand with balloons in the background, during daytime with sunlight shining.