Jim Landers

Jim is a native of San Antonio. (Paternal Grandparents moved here in 1940) He grew up in the Northside school district and was in the first graduating class at Taft High School in 1987.

Jim wanted to be a photographer since he was 6 years old. He photographed his first wedding the summer of 1983, before starting high school. After his freshman year at UTSA, Jim transferred to Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX to study photography and recieved his BS. (Note: Jim is one of very few photographers in San Antonio that actually have a degree in photography.) Within a month of graduating, in May of 1991, Jim was working as the photography manager at Sea World of Texas. During the school year, when the park was closed, he was a substitute teacher in the Northside school district.

Since 1995, Jim has been a full-time professional photographer who has been published in many magazines, in locations as far away as Australia. Even Kodak has specifically requested 10 of his images (in June of 1999) for their trade publication in England to advertise their new professional films (Portra).

"Over the years I have wondered what it would be like if I had a 9-5 job with benefits, you know, a regular paycheck, so that I could make a budget and plan everything knowing what would be coming in. But then I always come back to; If I work smarter, if I make those ideas that I have become reality, then I have more potential than anyone with a 9-5."   --Jim

He loves teaching photography so much that he spends an increasing amount of his time teaching enthusiastic people his art. Jim also mentors high school students who are considering a career in the field. He has had professional photographers, and even two other photography teachers, take his class. He has over 7000 hours of photography teaching experience.

Jim enjoys photographing people from business and social events to individual and family portraits and Weddings. He draws his inspiration to do a portrait by talking to the person or people whom he is shooting, getting to know them and what they want, not only for the pictures, but in life. This allows him to find out what is important to them, whether it be kids, school, or something else.

Other items to note:
Jim collects old cameras
Made the switch to digital in February of 2002
Member of organizations: Rotary International, North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, Wedding and Portrait Photographers International
Regularly donates his talent to charities
Published in areas as far away as the U.K. and Australia
Has one photograph at the Smithsonian Institute
Has a photograph of the Alamo on permanent display at The AT&T Center

Jim has Photographed:

- NBA stars: David Robinson, Manu Ginobili, Sean Elliott, Steve Kerr
- Terry Bradshaw (NFL Legend, sports show host)
- Bob Eubanks (Host of "The Newlywed Game")
- For the UT fans: Darryl Royal
- U.S. Olympic Gold medalist, Tara Lipinski
- U.S. Olympic Gold medalist, Josh Davis
- Seven San Antonio Mayors
- Three Texas Governors
- U.S. Vice-President, Dick Cheney
- President Gerald Ford
- President George W. Bush
- Two foreign Ambassadors to the U.S.
- Two NFL team owners
- Ricardo Chavira, "Carlos" of the TV show "Desperate Housewives"
- Joel and Victoria Osteen

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is a Kodak commercial that touches me, I think it will effect you too.
Please take 6 minutes of your time right now - it is so worth it!

Visit me on LinkedIn:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------