Renowned photographer Jim Nevill embraces life’s sudden detour

Jim Nevill didn’t set out to become a renowned photographer, but when an unexpected twist of fate found him out of a job after nearly 25 years of hard work and dedication, he decided to pivot in pursuit of a different passion.

Nevill was born and raised in Rockville Centre and for as long as he can remember, always had his camera close at hand. He attended the St. Agnes Cathedral School and has fond memories of attending 4-H summer camp out in Riverhead, where he took his first photography class when he was 12, which he said was critical for developing his self-esteem.

He would later attend Chaminade High School in Mineola, but had a rough time dealing with all the pressure and standardized exams. Still he would manage to overcome his struggles and get good grades.

“I wasn’t a dummy,” he said. “I was smart and talented but I continually underperformed.”

He said that it was because of his own struggles in school that he wanted to work with kids and went on to study youth psychology at the University of Dayton. After he graduated in 1995, he moved to Bodega, Calif., where he currently resides with his wife and two children.

It was there that he would start Lifeschool, a non-profit organization that he founded in 1999 with the goal of empowering teens by providing them with life skills through outdoor adventures and service projects.

Nevill dedicated more than two decades towards the program, when the coronavirus shutdown caused him to give up the program permanently.

He said that at first it was a struggle for him to accept the loss, but it would eventually give way to new opportunities that helped him reignite his passion for photography.

For the past three years he has made his “side-hustle” his main career. Over time numerous outlets including National Geographic, The New York Times, Architectural Digest, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Miami Herald and more have featured his work.

“I learned how to be a good photographer through experimentation,” Nevill said. “I was able to do more with the apparatus than I could even visualize.” 

Inspired by his own experiences and journeys across exotic locations, he compiled a collection of never-before-seen photographs and personal stories into his new book, “Viewfinding: Photographers, Perspectives and Travel Tales.”

Its juxtaposition of images and the real encounters that go along with them, paint a vivid portrait of his life through his lens.

The book follows Nevill on his adventures in Peru, most of the western United States and New York City, with an eclectic mix of breathtaking work that showcase his versatility as an artist.

“I didn’t want this to be a shallow picture book,” Nevill said. “I wanted it to be purposeful … to empower, inspire and motivate people. The arts have this capability of not only wowing you but also teaching you.”

But what really sets it apart are its inspiring narratives, which are intentionally broken down into chapters, each one reflective of real events from his life and what he took away from the experience.

“It’s how I translate my adventure into real life,” he said.

It is through these experiences that he hopes to spread a message to people to expand their perspectives during times of lack and struggle and provide meaning to others.

One example, he cites, is from a chapter where he talks about being caught in a lightning storm at Hell’s Canyon, what he learned and how he became a better person when he returned home.

Nevill said that if there is one thing he hopes readers will take away from the book it is that “you can bring your unique voice to the world.”

Since its release back in November, the book has garnered immense popularity and acclaim, as a top contender in its category. It previously held the number one spot on Amazon for “photo collections” in both hardcover and digital Kindle formats for more than four weeks.

His new book, “Viewfinding: Photographs, Perspectives and Travel Tales,” is available to purchase on Amazon or via his website at JimNevill.com or JimNevillProductions.com.