James Arendale has spent a lifetime in service — first to his country, and now to the wild world he captures through the lens. A retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer and professional wildlife photographer, James is the founder of Amphibious Photography, a name that reflects both his military diving roots and his passion for land and sea photography. With over four decades behind the camera and a deep respect for the natural world, James continues to bring raw, unfiltered beauty from above and below the surface to viewers around the globe.
Three Sisters Spring, mother and calf. Nikon D610 • f8.0 • 1/250 • ISO 900 © James Arendale
Born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, James grew up far from the ocean, but he was always drawn to nature and the outdoors. He picked up his first camera in 1980 and instantly discovered a lifelong passion. What began as a hobby quickly turned into an obsession with light, form, and wildlife behavior — a pursuit that would travel with him throughout his military career and beyond.
Spadefish on Black Bart. Nikon D610. © James Arendale
Some of James’ favorite subjects include Florida’s gentle manatees, playful dolphins, majestic bald eagles, and white-tailed deer in their natural habitats. Yet ask him what he truly loves to photograph, and the answer is simple: all of nature. Whether it’s a fleeting moment between predator and prey, the delicate stillness of a dawn-lit forest, or the ghostly silence of a reef at 60 feet, James is driven by a deep desire to tell nature’s stories — honestly and artfully.
Three Sisters Spring, lone manatee resting. Nikon D610 • f/8.0 • 1/250 • ISO 400 © James Arendale
James’ travels have taken him across the globe, camera always in hand — from tropical coral reefs to snowy backwoods, from the cities of Southeast Asia to the coastal shores of North America. With an eye trained by both military precision and artistic patience, he captures moments others might miss. His work is defined by clarity, intimacy, and a deep reverence for the wild. “You have to respect the moment,” James often says. “The animal is allowing you into its world — that’s a privilege, not a guarantee.”
James’ travels have taken him across the globe, camera always in hand — from tropical coral reefs to snowy backwoods, from the cities of Southeast Asia to the coastal shores of North America. With an eye trained by both military precision and artistic patience, he captures moments others might miss. His work is defined by clarity, intimacy, and a deep reverence for the wild. “You have to respect the moment,” James often says. “The animal is allowing you into its world — that’s a privilege, not a guarantee.”
Three Sisters Spring, mother and calf. Nikon D610 • f/8 • 1/250 © James Arendale
Now retired from the Navy, James devotes as much time as possible to wildlife photography. Whether out for a solo sunrise shoot or diving into new waters, he brings the same discipline, curiosity, and commitment that defined his military career to every photo he takes. Through Amphibious Photography, he shares not just images, but a message — that nature is worth preserving, protecting, and celebrating.
Spadefish on Black Bart. Nikon D610. © James Arendale
To see James Arendale’s work is to glimpse the soul of the wild — not just in the beauty of his subjects, but in the connection he brings to each frame. His images are more than photographs; they’re windows into worlds too easily overlooked. And through those windows, James invites us all to see — really see — the wonder, peace, and power that lives in the natural world around us.
Spadefish on Black Bart. Nikon D610 • f/8.0 • 1/60 © James Arendale
James currently displays and sells his work at outdoor markets run by Anchored Market Ventures and William Davenport in Panama City Florida.
Twin tugs. Nikon D610 • f/5.6 • 1/125 • ISO 400 © James Arendale
Additional Viewing
7 Tips for Photographing Florida Manatees
What Secrets Lurk Underwater in the Florida Springs at Night?
Photographing Manatees Underwater in Crystal River, Florida [VIDEO]
An Insider's Guide to Diving the Blue Heron Bridge, Florida
Planning a Trip to Photograph Manatees in Crystal River, Florida
Chief, diver, wildlife storyteller. James Arendale was born and raised in Kansas City. James joined the U.S. Navy in 1979 and became a certified Navy diver ten years later. Since 1989 underwater photography has become both a technical and artistic challenge he was eager to master. Since then, he’s documented marine life and underwater environments around the world with an eye for both composition and conservation. You can see James' artwork in person at any of the Anchored Market Ventures in Panama City, Florida. You can also learn more about James by visiting his Facebook page.
