J I M    S H E A    B I O

Whether on the set of a Hollywood soundstage directing Barbra Streisand or shooting Jimmy Buffett on some exotic South Seas island, award winning director Jim Shea feels right at home creating images in any setting. Born in Manhattan, Shea’s training ground was New York’s Madison Avenue where he began his commercial career working in the world of advertising photography. His work led him to Los Angeles where he began photographing celebrities for the entertainment industry. Recording artists Rod Stewart, Aerosmith , Bonnie Raitt, Fleetwood Mac, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, Elton John and the Eagles were among the subjects he began to photograph as his impressive award winning images began to appear on album covers, movie posters and in publications such as Rolling Stone and Interview Magazine.

The evolution into directing came when record labels began recruiting Shea to shoot and direct music videos based on his inventiveness and extensive experience with prominent musicians. As a director, he joined forces with the many artists he had developed relationships with through his photographic work. His innovative approach to videos for Joni Mitchell, James Taylor and Glenn Frey established him as a creative pioneer in his field. His unique style and vision spawned collaborative relationships with legendary artists such as Aretha Franklyn, John Fogerty and Barbra Streisand.

Shea’s music video experience led him back to his advertising roots where he began directing and shooting title sequences for Universal, 20th Century Fox and NBC studios as well as spots for Miller Beer, Ford and Disney.

Among the many awards and nominations Shea has received from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, The Country Music Association and The Academy of Country Music are Alan Jackson’s “Midnight in Montgomery”video, John Anderson’s “Seminole Wind” video, Patty Loveless’ “How Can I Help You Say Goodbye” video, Faith Hill’s “Just To Hear You Say That You Love Me” video, John Prine’s “PictureShow” and “Ain’t Hurtin’ No one” videos and Brad Paisley’s “Alcohol”, “When I Get Where I’m Gong”, “Waitin’ On A Woman”and “Welcome To The Future” videos.

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J I M    S H E A    P H O T O G R A P H Y


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