This site, and the Lens Shark Photography Podcast, were created by me, Mike “Sharky” James. After a long career in photojournalism for newspapers and the publishing business, I decided that my passion was in helping others improve their photography.
Thus, the Lens Shark Photography Podcast was born.
The show launched Christmas night 2014 and just 8 months later, industry giant PetaPixel approached me about teaming up. In September 2015, I rebranded the show as the “PetaPixel Photography Podcast”. Same show, and PetaPixel in name only.
In December 2022, after 7+ years with the show branded with PetaPixel, I decided to change the name back to the “Lens Shark Photography Podcast“. With me wanting to get back into doing reviews, etc. on YouTube once again, and PetaPixel leaning in on doing in-house reviews, this was going to cause confusion. So the path of least resistance was to simply change the name.
In my former career, I was a photojournalist; a newspaper photographer basically. My last newspaper hired me away from a smaller paper where I was not only shooting stills, but video content as well. That was something they very much needed, so I went to work for them for a little over half a decade. But then I met my now-wife, moved to Utah in 2013, started this show a year later, and the rest is history. In November of 2015 we moved to Boise, Idaho where we currently reside.
I sometimes miss my former career, but nothing beats hosting one of the most-listened-to photography podcasts ever. Along the way, my show was chosen to be the very first photography podcast on Spotify, Pandora, iHeart, and Radio.com, and has become the go-to podcast for photography news.
For 8+ years now, my audience has enjoyed my unique perspective and delivery, and they know that I say what I mean, and I mean what I say.
If you haven’t yet, give it a try. I think you’ll benefit from hearing a unique take on the world of photography, videography, and related topics based on my decades of experience. As a photojournalist, I shot thousands of assignments over the years in such varied lighting and weather conditions, and a lot was learned along the way.
Enjoy the site and podcast.
It’s hard to believe that this photo of me with TLC was taken more than 30 years ago now. I remember it like it was yesterday. Back then I was shooting for a client of mine and photos from this LifeBeat AIDS charity concert held at the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix were seen around the world in newspapers and magazines.
Check out this piece done by a popular site which focuses on mirrorless cameras. They featured myself and nine other sports/action photographers who use mirrorless bodies in their work.
10 Amazing Sports Photographers Who Use Mirrorless Cameras on the Job