James Hicks was born in Annapolis, Maryland, and raised in Washington, DC. He attended Theodore Roosevelt Senior High School and went on to earn a BA in Medical Illustration at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. James took his first photography course during his matriculation at Morehouse and that is where his passion for photography began.

Upon completion of his studies at Morehouse College, James returned to Washington, DC and began assisting photographers. He very soon branched off on his own and began his freelance photography career.

James was very interested in fashion and beauty and was able to secure a position as a frequent
contributor to the fashion pages of the Baltimore Sun Newspaper and Magazine.

As his editorial career began to flourish, he was also able to photograph fashion advertising for a local department store, as well as national ads for a large clothing company.

James decided it was time to explore other markets, so he began to travel to Miami, Paris, and New York. It was New York that captured his heart. Soon after relocating to New York, he began shooting fashion & beauty editorials for several different publications which eventually led him to photographing celebrities. He has worked with numerous icons and legends such as Smokey Robinson, Pam Grier, The Sister Sledge, the late Aaliyah, as well as notable entertainers such as Alicia Keys, Erykah Badu, Usher, Lynn Whitfield, Rosario Dawson, Deborah Cox, and Kandi Burress.

Instagram: @james_l_hicks2photography