Stepping into The Process had been a desire of mine for around 6 years.

Reaching out to James, and preparing for the experience, I was unsure what to expect from myself and the outcome… From the moment I stepped into the space he created, I could feel the care and intentionality behind every step of The Process — it was gentle, open, and artfully held in a way that invited exploration rather than performance.

It wasn’t just a shoot; it was an experience that honored vulnerability and encouraged the emergence of something unexpected.

While I came into The Process excited, I also carried a quiet fear — fear of being truly seen, fear of not living up to some unspoken expectation. But his presence, grounded in honesty, empathy, and deep curiosity, allowed that fear to slowly dissolve. The process of creating together wasn’t effortless — at first. It asked something of me. But somewhere along the way, the effort softened, and I found myself moving with ease, guided not by instruction, but by trust.

James doesn’t direct from a place of control, but rather guides with a gentle challenge — to show up more fully, to see myself as I truly am. And I did. The moments that were captured revealed a version of myself I had never quite met before — quirky, soft, authentic.

Together we welcomed a version of myself I’ve been aching to meet. I left our time together feeling cracked open — more connected to myself and more open to what’s possible. Thank you, James, for your patience, kindness, and willingness to crack open a hundred walnuts with me.

My intuition knew I wanted to work with James.

His work is warm, nuanced, full of character, and deeply intentional—everything about it aligned with my creative values. I knew I wanted to be part of his process.

At the time of our shoot, I had just sold everything I owned, moved across the country, and was about to start a new job. I had let go of my old world and was standing on the edge of something entirely new. I was vulnerable—and I wanted to capture that, specifically with James.

James held a deeply collaborative space—rooted in safety, curiosity, and play. I felt free to explore, express, and just be.

In between the laughter and conversation, a realization began to take shape: What if I didn’t need to take a big swing? I’ve always loved change and chased risk my whole life. But maybe growth also lives in the micro-decisions—the subtle shifts we make in discomfort. The ones that are easy to bulldoze past.

It’s okay to hold discomfort with grace. To meet it gently. Becoming can be quiet, soft power. A grounded knowing that you can choose differently—moment to moment.Working with James gave me space to slow down enough to notice. To remember that I have the agency to catch the moment—and choose again, but differently.

That’s the process. And that’s what we have to fall in love with.

“Working with James Jin was a breath of fresh air. He truly understands the vulnerability required to step in front of a camera and creates a space that is both calming and affirming.

As dancers, we’re used to receiving physical corrections, what’s unique about James’s approach is how he offers direction through the breath, making his cues intuitive and deeply connected to the body. His steady, grounded presence immediately puts you at ease, and his genuine excitement when you land a great shot is infectious.

James has a way of making you feel empowered, seen, and more than enough exactly as you are.”

I have been a huge fan of James’s photography for many years and was so excited when I finally booked a session with him. Going into it, I had no idea what to expect. He instantly calmed my nerves with a moment of silence and some deep breaths. Then, he had me set an intention in a journal after reading what others before me had written and felt in the same moment I was experiencing.

James not only captures beautiful photos, but he also helps the artist truly express who they are through the images. I have never seen myself look so authentic and, honestly, beautiful. I am endlessly grateful for that experience.