Available to hire
I am James Macsephney, a photographer and photo manager with over a decade of leadership in fast-paced environments aboard cruise ships and on location. Since 2008 I have built and guided photography teams, delivered on-site and studio shoots, and ensured exceptional guest experiences while driving revenue through smart operations, inventory control, and targeted marketing.
My freelance work spans editorial, fashion, and brand shoots for international clients, with travel across Africa, Europe, and the Americas. I am passionate about creating high-quality imagery that aligns with brand vision and client goals, from concept through post-production, while delivering outstanding service and consistent results.
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Language
English
Fluent
Work Experience
Photo Manager at Royal Caribbean Group
January 1, 2011 - PresentLeads shipboard photography department, coordinating with department heads to ensure optimal performance of the shipboard photography team, and coordinating for special events while delivering high-quality guest services. Responsible for scheduling and directing daily workloads for photographers (up to 28 staff), tracking hours, and delivering on-the-job training and development. Maintains stock levels for the photo lab and gallery retail items, oversees all photographic equipment maintenance. Compiles business reports, analyzes performance data, supports marketing strategy, and provides performance appraisals. Manages financial transactions, allocates commissions, and balances settlements each cruise.
Photographer at African Encounters
January 1, 2011 - October 7, 2025Photographer responsible for capturing 360-degree virtual tours and still images for a travel operator specializing in tailor-made African vacations. Worked independently to contact hotels, arrange multi-week itineraries to maximize destination coverage, and edit content for website integration. Photographed over 500 hotels across multiple countries including Zanzibar, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kenya, Botswana, and South Africa.
Photographer at Portraits on Canvas
January 1, 2009 - October 7, 2025Portrait photography studio focusing on canvas enlargements; booked appointments, conducted photo shoots, edited images, and completed sales presentations.
Freelance Photographer at Worldwide
December 31, 2024 - October 7, 2025Freelance work worldwide including Classic Feel magazine cover and six-page editorial featuring Kabelo Mabalane; primary photographer for Cindy Crawford during Colombia Omega watch launch (2016); numerous fashion and accessories shoots for Dafiti; projects for Focus Point Photographic Solutions (2018–2024).
Photo Manager at Royal Caribbean Group
January 1, 2011 - PresentManage shipboard photography team of up to 28, scheduling and assigning daily work, on-the-job training and development, maintaining stock levels for the photo lab and retail items, overseeing equipment maintenance, compiling business reports, analyzing performance data, guiding marketing strategy, and handling financial settlements including commissions across each cruise.
Photographer at African Encounters
January 1, 2011 - October 7, 2025Photographed 360-degree virtual tours and still imagery for hotels; independently contacted hotels, arranged multi-week itineraries to maximize destination coverage, and edited content for website integration across multiple countries.
Photographer at Portraits on Canvas
January 1, 2009 - October 7, 2025Booked appointments, performed photo shoots, edited images, and completed sales presentations.
Freelance Photographer at Worldwide
December 31, 2024 - October 7, 2025Freelance photographer for magazine covers/editorials and brand campaigns; documented high-profile events including a Kabelo Mabalane feature (2008), Cindy Crawford shoot in Colombia (2016), Dafiti fashion campaigns (Colombia, 2016; 2019), and Focus Point Photographic Solutions (2018-2024), among others across international markets.
Photo Manager at Royal Caribbean Group
January 1, 2011 - PresentThe Photo Manager works in close co-operation with all other heads of departments aboard the cruise ship, ensuring optimal performance of the shipboard photography team, coordination for special events and providing the best quality services for guests. Responsibilities include scheduling and assigning the daily work of all photographers (up to 28 staff), on-the-job training and development, maintaining stock levels for the photo lab and retail items, overseeing maintenance of equipment, compiling business reports and performance data, maintaining marketing strategy and providing performance appraisals, recording financial transactions, allocating commissions, and balancing settlements each cruise.
Photographer at African Encounters
January 1, 2011 - October 7, 2025Photographed 360-degree virtual tours of hotels for a travel operator, and still images for website integration. Worked independently to contact hotels and arrange travel itineraries to maximize destination coverage. Edited content for website integration and captured over 500 hotels across several countries, including Zanzibar, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kenya, Botswana and South Africa.
Photographer at Portraits on Canvas
January 1, 2009 - October 7, 2025Portraiture studio specializing in canvas enlargements. Booking appointments, conducting photo shoots, editing and completing sales presentations.
Freelance Photographer at Freelance
January 1, 2024 - October 7, 2025Independent photographer for various projects including Classic Feel magazine cover and a six-page editorial featuring Kabelo Mabalane; primary photographer for Cindy Crawford during a four-day South American Omega watch launch; fashion and accessory shoots for e-commerce brands (e.g., Dafiti, Focus Point) across multiple countries (Colombia 2016, Colombia 2018-2024).
Photo Manager at Royal Caribbean Group
January 1, 2011 - PresentLead shipboard photography team (up to 28 staff), schedule and assign daily work, oversee on-the-job training, maintain lab stock and equipment, compile performance reports, manage marketing strategy, and handle financial settlements and commissions to deliver high-quality guest photography services.
Photographer at African Encounters
January 1, 2011 - October 7, 2025Photographed 360-degree hotel tours, worked independently to contact hotels and arrange travel itineraries, and edited still images and 360 content for website integration.
Photographer at Portraits on Canvas
January 1, 2009 - October 7, 2025Portrait photography studio; booked appointments, conducted photo shoots, performed editing, and delivered sales presentations.
Freelance Photographer at Worldwide (Freelance)
January 1, 2024 - October 7, 2025Provided photography for high-profile campaigns and events including a classic magazine cover and six-page editorial for Kabelo Mabalane, Cindy Crawford collaboration in Colombia (2016), Dafiti campaigns (Colombia, 2018-2024), Focus Point Photographic Solutions projects (2018-2024), and other commissioned works.
Photo Manager at Royal Caribbean Group
January 1, 2011 - PresentLead and coordinate shipboard photography operations, managing teams of up to 28 photographers, scheduling daily work, on-the-job training, and development; maintain production lab stock and equipment; compile performance reports, guide marketing strategy, and oversee financial settlements and commissions on each cruise.
Photographer at African Encounters, South Africa
January 1, 2011 - October 7, 2025Independently secured hotel and destination shoots, photographed 360-degree virtual tours and still images, edited content for website integration; coordinated travel itineraries to maximize coverage across multiple countries.
Photographer at Portraits on Canvas, South Africa
January 1, 2009 - October 7, 2025Booked appointments, conducted portrait sessions, edited images, and delivered sales presentations to clients for canvas enlargements.
Freelance Photographer at Worldwide
January 1, 2024 - October 7, 2025Photographed magazine covers and six-page editorial spreads, model-based fashion shoots, and e-commerce/events; clients included Kabelo Mabalane, Cindy Crawford (Colombia 2016 Omega watch launch), Dafiti (Colombia 2018-2019), and Focus Point Photographic Solutions (2018-2024).
Education
HND at Institute of Professional Photography, UK
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2007A Levels at Norkem Park High School, South Africa
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2001Higher National Diploma (HND) at Institute of Professional Photography, UK
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2007A Levels at Norkem Park High School, South Africa
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2001HND at Institute of Professional Photography, UK
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2007A Levels at Norkem Park High School
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2001HND at Institute of Professional Photography, UK
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2007A Levels at Norkem Park High School, South Africa
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2001HND at Institute of Professional Photography, UK
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2007A Levels at Norkem Park High School, South Africa
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2001Qualifications
HND
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2007Full UK Driving License
January 11, 2030 - October 7, 2025Full UK Driving License
January 11, 2030 - October 7, 2025Full UK Driving License
January 11, 2030 - October 7, 2025Industry Experience
Media & Entertainment, Travel & Hospitality, Professional Services, Retail, Other
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
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