As a communications professional and former journalist, James Ip uses street and documentary photography to capture fleeting yet emotional moments, offering viewers a lens into the human condition and highlighting our shared experiences. His work explores social issues, including human interaction, isolation, and our relationship to our surroundings, with the aim of sparking important questions about community and belonging. James infuses his photography with profound empathy, creating work that resonates on an emotional level and fosters a deeper connection with his audience. He sees the creative process as an act of purposeful observation and meditation, allowing him to uncover dramatic moments unfolding all around us.

More recently, James has rediscovered the joy of drawing, blending his street photography skills with his sketches. Using his own photos as reference, his drawings evoke storytelling scenes that capture the essence of urban life and its underlying narratives. This medium allows for an even more deliberate expression of his vision, with each composition thoughtfully crafted to convey the story embedded within.

James holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts from Ryerson University. 

He moved to Prince Edward Island from Toronto with his partner in 2022.