‘Hardest part is getting skaters out of shiny new parks.’
Dean James
December 2025
Annoyed at your parents for naming you ‘Dean’?
(Laughing) My mum actually wanted to call me James James which probably would have been less confusing for most people. Dean James was never really an issue until I emigrated. Back in Wales everyone just called me Jamesy but here in Oz it’s just been one thing after another. Flights, hotels, documentation. I give up on whatever gets written on my coffee cup. I really don’t mind what people refer to me as. I’m almost 50 and I’ve been called far worse believe me.
What is the skate scene like where you live in Northern NSW?
Yeah great scene on the Northern Rivers. Very different to the Gold Coast but I just sorta bounce around and shoot it all. There are all good people. Some great spots in the country towns. Old art deco architecture makes an image look good. Hardest part is getting skaters out of shiny new parks.
‘There’s nothing worse than getting changed into a wet 5mm wetsuit with boots, gloves and hat in January in the rain.’
What came first? Skateboarding or photography?
I think skating. I was maybe 8 years old? I got into photography at around 12-13 so I was pushing around for a few years before that on the streets of West Wales trying to hide from the rain and grind things without wax.
How did you get into skateboarding?
I would say my mum would have bought me my first skateboard. Same as she bought me my first surfboard. Mums a legend.
What is the surf scene like in Wales?
There’s a great surf scene in Wales, some real good breaks over there but there’s nothing worse than getting changed into a wet 5mm wetsuit with boots, gloves and hat in January in the rain. Nah I don’t miss that at all.
Ever tried to become a professional photographer?
Nah not interested. I like to shoot what I want when I want to with good people. Plus it was important for me to put food on the table each week and for my family to have a home. Photography has and always be a passion past time for me. I love it but soon as it becomes a program with expectations I’m out. I’ve shot a few weddings and things like that and they are fucked. Not for me. I was lucky to have a successful career and a great wife that gave me downtime to shoot.
Proudest moment?
Ah I don’t have a standout proudest moment in my life. I have had many highs and a good few lows in general. Good marriage, successful career, three children. Pretty proud of my wife. She always seems to do the right thing, make the right decisions and stay levelheaded. I’m still learning.
Most embarrassing?
Usually the day after consuming far too many beers.
‘I love it but soon as it becomes a program with expectations I’m out.’
If you could shoot with any skater in the world, who would it be?
Whoever is keen to hit the abandoned rail that I’ve been trying to get shot for the last three years but no one has ridden out of. I’ve been there with half a dozen guys and they’ve either not been interested or had a go and got smoked. I’ve shot the empty spot four times, if anyone is keen to come up to the NSW/QLD border and hit it let me know. The building gets knocked down this year so needs to be done.
Last question. If you could interview one person?
Don McCullin. Go watch the film McCullin war photographer and you will understand why. Traveling around the globe covering one war after another to shoot it is just insane and the level of imagery he captured blows me away. Also his landscape photography of England is as good. I have huge respect for those guys dodging bullets. The closest comparison of dodging a stray board while shooting fisheye or getting ya flashes knocked over doesn’t really cut it.