JAMES KATSIPIS

James Katsipis is a Montauk and Manhattan based fine art photographer known for his exceptional ocean photography and stunning visual art. Born and raised in Montauk, NY surrounded by ocean, the sea has been an ever-present inspiration and muse whose influence spans the entirety of his career. For over two decades, Katsipis has travelled the world to capture the action of distant shores as an adventure and surf photographer. James Katsipis fine art photography and commissionable artworks are featured in art galleries, books, media campaigns, and magazines around the world.

Katsipis has been inspired by the sea all his life. He learned the basics of photography and developing film in high school and was so enthralled that he soon began cutting class to take photos on the beach. His first assignment came from Eastern Surf Magazine, who had taken notice of his impressive eye for capturing local surfers at the perfect moment. Under the guidance of local photographer Jimmy Wilson, Katsipis was able to hone his craft and develop the techniques that have brought him such impressive acclaim.

Katsipis’ commitment to capturing the nexus of action has led him to experiment with a variety of different techniques, lighting, and equipment. He soon found his niche in prioritizing the natural flow of the elements, getting a feel for the environment before he even takes out his camera. His patience has paid off in spades, and as a result his (sometimes literal) willingness to go with the flow, his artwork has flourished as a monument to mankind’s relationship to the ocean, and how it mimics or moves us.

James Katsipis ‘Mermaids of Montauk’ photo portraiture series is perhaps the most literal embodiment of his unique ability to reveal humanity’s complex relationship with the ocean, and the modern outlines of a fantasy that defined the early centuries of the relationship. In treating the sea as a subject, fraught with emotion and laid bare for viewers to recognize, Katsipis created a series that has widely captivated long-time followers and new viewers alike. ‘Mermaids of Montauk’ has been the subject of numerous residencies, included in many exhibitions and media features. Its popularity even inspired the publishing of ‘Mermaids of Montauk: A Photographic Depiction by James Katsipis’, a limited edition offering artful

images of women in various states of approach to the water.

Katsipis’ love and admiration for the ocean extends far beyond his photography – he is an outspoken advocate for Ocean preservation and specifically Montauk’s natural coastline, working with local climate leaders, The Nature Conservancy and Save The Wave East Coast Film Festival to promote environmental conservation. He has spoken about the importance of preserving Montauk’s coastline, oceans, and marine life. His work’s innate ability to reveal the shore’s majesty & character has been crucial to those conservancy efforts. Katsipis’ passion towards conserving the environment that has captured his creativity is evident in his artistic process which caters to the natural landscape above all else. His creative abilities have taken campaigns to the next level and enshrined them as art rather than commercial advertisements.

While his origins lie in Montauk, Katsipis has travelled the globe to capture exotic seascapes and coastlines. His work has taken him to far flung corners of the earth, including Iceland, Peru, Ireland and Panama among others. An explorer by nature, Katsipis’ ability to immerse himself among these remote locales and express the power of nature has made him one of the most renowned action, adventure, and commercial photographers. In partnering with a talented roster of clients including Estee Lauder, La Mer, Donna Karan, Volcom, Montauk Brew Co., Patagonia and Pucci, Katsipis has been able to realize large-scale creative visions that keep have established him as one of the biggest names in the industry.

James Katsipis work has been featured in a broad array of prestigious media including The New York Times, Later Magazine, ESPN.com, Eastern Surf Magazine, The New Yorker, The East Hampton Star, Surfline, Rolling Stone and Hamptons Mag among others. His photography has been a vital component in the meteoric growth of surfing as a sport. Katsipis’ ability to amaze an audience extends far beyond his gallery exhibitions. His full-page editorials in these publications have been lauded as examples of how stunning, talent-laden photography belongs in popular print media and amplifies the most relevant stories of our time.

Katsipis is also an accomplished portrait photographer. His ability to convey a strong depth of emotion in his subjects and create landscapes that amplify each individual, have resulted in inspiring and honest photographs that showcase the wide breadth of his talent. James Katsipis’ work has been exhibited in solo shows yearly in New York and in Montauk at The Lucore Art.

His work is widely published in books, fine art media and available to shop for viewers to bring the magic of James Katsipis’ Montauk home with them.