In this episode of the Paradise Skate Mag podcast, we sit down with West Coast skate photographer Josh James (@joshjamesphotography) — a prolific shooter whose work captures the grit, style, and energy of skateboarding in its rawest form.

Josh has spent years documenting skate scenes from Vancouver to Los Angeles, covering local sessions, pro team tours like Etnies, and live events at spots like Nectar Lounge. His photos have been featured in Thrasher Magazine and are instantly recognizable for their authenticity, sharp timing, and creative framing.

We talk about:

How he got into skate photography and built his portfolio

What it was like getting published in Thrasher

His favorite gear and go-to setups

Documenting the Etnies tour and other major events

Shooting music and fly-fishing alongside skateboarding

The skate scenes in Seattle, LA, and Vancouver

Tips for up-and-coming skate photographers

Josh’s perspective is rooted in decades of experience — both on the board and behind the lens. If you love skate culture and want to hear what it takes to document it authentically, you’re gonna love this episode.

📸 Follow Josh:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/joshjamesphotography

🛹 Paradise Skate Mag:

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🎽 Support the Mag – Grab Some Merch:

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🎥 Filmed/Edited by Trevor Fenner

Instagram: https://instagram.com/trevorfenner

Website: https://trevorfenner.com

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@trevorfenner