Erik is James°

James has always been shaped by the people we respect: inspirational, action-based, competent and humble. We put them at the center of everything we do, from design and development to the stories we tell and the way we tell them. From ambassadors to creators, friends and community, to the ones behind the scenes putting in the work; this is about those who embody what it means to Be James.

In this third installment of Be James we sat down with TJB’s editorial photographer and good friend Erik Ursin, and asked one simple question. What inspires you to pick up a camera on those days off, the days when there’s no brief, no shotlist, and no one asking anything from you?

Although I’ve made a career working as a photographer, the simple act of shooting photos for personal fulfillment remains a through line in my downtime as well. Whether I’m embarking on an epic road trip or just meeting up with friends for an afternoon coffee or a mellow sunset bike ride, I always have at least one camera over my shoulder or in a tote bag, and I’m quick to slam on the brakes or backtrack a few miles to go back and shoot that photo I can’t stop thinking about. Whatever I find myself doing, I love turning off the “work” side of my brain and letting natural instinct & curiosity take over. No rules. Get weird. 

By default, I’m a bit of an observer. I’m pretty sure my brain is programmed in such a way that I’m constantly scanning the world around me for things that catch my eye, no matter where I am or what I’m doing…maybe it’s some special pocket of light, maybe it’s vibrant color, maybe it’s just some unique or funny or ridiculous or truly resonant, beautiful shit. I’ve heard this tendency described as a sort of addiction, always hunting for that next moment, the next little high. If this is my vice, I’ll gladly embrace it. Sometimes, I feel like the stuff that stands out is entertaining only to me, but I’m compelled to document it all the same. There are certainly times where I wonder if I’m the only one laughing, but I don’t care…this is for me, anyway. 

It’s really hard to beat the feeling you get when a fleeting moment lines up & you’re able to capture it juuuuuust right…perfect light raking across a bright yellow wall, a special face or glance or interplay between people, colors popping through a hole in a fence, someone walking into frame at the perfect moment, etc. Whatever it is, I straight up just love shooting photos of that stuff, and I hope I can always hold on to the joy it brings me. Couple that with getting out of the house and into the world and going on adventures big & small with my people, and my plate is full (so are all of my hard drives…feel free to donate). 

Born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, transplanted to Portland, Oregon, and finally teleported to Los Angeles, California (for what I can confirm is better weather, given it’s currently pouring in Portland). Erik is a professional lensman who’s worked with brands such as Nike, Harley-Davidson, Adidas, Sitka, Huckberry, and Keen, and he’s the guy behind some of TJB’s most epic moments. From “jumping” off cliffs in Hawaii to lighting up abandoned remote pools in the middle of the desert, Erik has an incredible eye for capturing unique moments from everyday scenes and an off-the-cuff street style that effortlessly connects you to the subject matter.

Erik, thanks for always holding down the shutter for TJB.

The best light never waits around, especially with shorter days on the horizon. Long shadows along a bike path. A window seat at the right hour. Friends hanging on a curb as the day runs out. As the seasons change and colors shift, something new takes shape in the space between what was and what’s next. The Lumen collection is an all-new palette across five TJB favorites, designed to be carried right up until the light goes.