Background

James Year is a documentary photographer, multimedia specialist, and educator whose projects explore the intersections of labor, technology, and the environment. Raised on his family farm in Iowa, he carries forward a grounded perspective shaped by his community and working-class roots.

He served six years in the United States Air Force, gaining professional aviation experience that continues to inform his discipline and approach. After his military service, James earned a degree in Sociology from the University of Iowa and a master’s in Multimedia, Photography, and Design from Syracuse University.

Alongside his creative practice, James advocates for working-class issues and veterans, weaving these experiences into his teaching and storytelling. His work amplifies voices often overlooked, while examining how technological and environmental shifts reshape everyday life.

James is currently based out of Maryland and is able to travel for assignments.

You can reach him at:
Email: jamesyear@proton.me

Awards, Grants, Exhibitions, and Workshops
Alexia Foundation: Professional Grant, Winner, 2023
Pingyao International Photography Festival, China, Stealing Fire, 2023
Alexia Foundation: Professional Grant, Runner up, 2022
Foundry Workshop, VII Photo, 2022
Eddie Adams Workshop XXXV, 2022
Fall Workshop, VII Photo, 2022
Graduate School Master’s Prize, Syracuse University, 2022
Light Work: 2022 Newhouse Photography Annual, Student Exhibition, 2022
Boyd’s Station: Reinke Grant Recipient, 2021
College Photographer of the Year: Award of Excellence, Feature Category, 2020
VII Photo: The Life That Remains Workshop with Danny Wilcox-Frazier, 2019
Great Plains Dan Harrison Memorial Student Photographer of the Year, 2019
1st Place: Associated Collegiate Press 2018 Environmental Portrait, 2018
1st Place: lowa Newspaper Awards, Feature Photo, Dailies Class 1, 2018
1st Place: lowa Newspaper Awards, Feature Photo, Dailies Class 1, 2019
1st Place: lowa Newspaper Awards, Video, Dailies Class 1, 2019
2nd place: lowa Newspaper Awards, Feature Photo, Dailies Class 1, 2018
3rd Place: lowa Newspaper Awards, Feature Photo, Dailies Class 1, 2019
5th Place: Associated Collegiate Press, Feature Photo, 2022
5th Place: Hearst News and Feature Category, 2019
6th Place: Hearst Multimedia Award, 2018

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