About me

I'm James Harvey, a dedicated freelance cinematographer, photographer, and editor currently based in the picturesque fishing town of Ericeira, Portugal.

My lifelong journey of extensive travel has continually pushed me out of my comfort zone, allowing me to capture an eclectic array of street, landscape, portrait, and aerial images. These adventures, intertwined with the rich tapestry of diverse cultures, have profoundly influenced and shaped the essence of my work.

My career took a significant leap forward as the Lead Director of Photography (DOP) for a dynamic social media agency in Dubai. This role expanded my creative horizons beyond the realms of travel and surfing, teaching me to craft compelling, energetic content for a variety of clients across the UAE. While our primary focus was on the vibrant food and beverage industry, we also produced engaging visuals for sports, events, hotels, and even dentistry. This experience honed my ability to adapt and innovate in storytelling, delivering captivating narratives through both video and photography.

One of my deepest passions lies in documentary filmmaking and environmental advocacy, particularly concerning ocean conservation. Collaborating on impactful projects aimed at promoting sustainability and environmental awareness fuels my creative spirit. These feel-good initiatives inspire me to explore the world further, lead a healthy lifestyle, and motivate others to embrace sustainable living practices. The opportunity to travel to remarkable locations, meet extraordinary individuals, and share their compelling stories is nothing short of magical for me.

Thank you for joining me on this visual journey. Together, let’s celebrate the beauty of our world, champion its preservation, and inspire each other to live more consciously.

Awards and recent Documentary 

2024 - Submersion Series 2 - Arroz Estudios, Lisbon Portugal

2022 - “Every drop in the ocean counts'“ - Short Youtube Documentary. Collaboration with Seafood Souq and IPNLF. 

2020 - Dubai Ocean Film Festival winner for Best Cinematography on my short film “No Rice No Power.” Indian Ocean Edition.

2017 - Submersion Series 1 - Photo exhibition at Showcase Gallery, Dubai, UAE. 

Shoot experience

(2022 - 2024)

Freelance clients - IPNLF and Seafood Souq - Every drop in the ocean counts. Lebanese Surfing Federation / Surf Lebanon. Suna Luna summer festival, Portugal Ericeira. Archireef short doco for Bloomberg Originals Shorts. Nic von Rupp youtube/social media. Experience MX Portugal. Abu Dhabi Surf by Kelly Slater. Architectural and real estae drone video/photo shoots. Surf Clients for Personal training and self asessment.

(2020 - 2022)

Freelance clients - EXPO 2020 through Socialize Agency. CNN Big Stories. Sole DXB. Mango Mania UAE. Rusty Middle East. Fergus James Diamonds. Personal trainers / Yoga instructors. Surf House Dubai and Above Sandboards. Omassim yoga/surf camp. Explorer tours UAE. Careem UAE. Escape Festival Al Ain. Truck Surf Hotel Portugal. Hempy People, Adam Bikes. Tropic Feel UAE. Sea and Sol Dubai.

( 2017 - 2019)

Lead DOP / Camera Ops and photography at Tactical Digital Agency. We handled accounts and executed productions for Jumeirah Group, Dr Apa Aesthetics, Asahi, Azure Beach, Four Seasons, House of Negroni, Jameson, Le-Clos, OFIS and Weber BBQ’s, Abu Dhabi Golf Championship and Saudi International.

(2016 - 2017)

Enova events, Big Red Motor Sports, Brownbook TV, Ernst & Young, Jazz Festival Dubai. JOTUN Paints, Showcase Gallery, Sun and Sand Sports.