Reuben James is a fine art ocean photographer based in New Zealand, specializing in capturing the ever-changing beauty of the sea through stunning photographic prints. Of Ngāti Pahauwera descent, Reuben brings a deep connection to the ocean and his cultural heritage to every image he creates. His ocean photography journey began in 2014 after purchasing a second-hand water housing unit, and his passion truly ignited when he discovered that the ocean as a subject could be photographed every day with endlessly varying results.
Reuben’s work is centered on the belief that photography is all about the end result—the print. Seeing hard work developed into something tangible and real is what drives his artistic vision. The feel and smell of fresh ink on fine art papers excites him to create more, and he takes great pride in knowing his photographic art will be displayed in homes and appreciated as prized pieces of décor. His approach to ocean photography combines artistic expression with the adventure of being present in rare moments when time stands still, whether shooting at dawn, dusk, or during perfect glassy wave conditions.
As both a wedding filmmaker and ocean photographer, Reuben understands the importance of capturing genuine moments and creating visual stories that resonate. His love for surf photography stems from the creative freedom it offers and the chance to work with a subject that’s forever changing. With countless variables affecting the ocean and waves at any given time, he can shoot the same beach repeatedly and still produce totally different shots. Reuben is inspired by his family, his Māori culture, and the natural elements—the wind and tides, sun and moon—all of which inform his artistic vision and passion for creating timeless fine art photography.
