This week in West Aussie Greats, Mark Gibson chats to Russell James, the famed fashion and celebrity photographer who shoots the Victoria’s Secret publications among other major fashion magazines such as Vogue and Sports Illustrated.

James is a global photography superstar who has just returned to Perth after winning a major lifetime achievement award at the Daily Front Row fashion awards in LA.

He left school at 14 to work in a factory, eventually becoming a police officer before slowly establishing himself as one of the world’s preeminent fashion photographers around the world.

“Some professions I think it’s better if you have a lot of life experiences beforehand,” he told Mark Gibson on 6PR Breakfast about his photography career.

“I came back to WA … I became fascinated with what was happening on mine sites, and how important this industry is and taking care of everybody in this crazy time.”

Tap PLAY below to hear more about Russell’s amazing career and his WA project