Smithsonian Journeys Experts

Jim is an accomplished public affairs specialist with more than 20-years of experience as a photojournalist, photo editor, designer, and director.

His professional career began as a U.S. Navy photojournalist working with the Blue Angels and All Hands Magazine.

He began a career in newspapers as a photographer at The Denver Post, becoming the Director of Photography after five years. He has also worked as a photographer and photo editor at the Philadelphia Inquirer; Photo Director at the Houston Post; Assistant Managing Editor of Photography at The Sun in Baltimore; and Director of Photography at The Cape Cod Times.

Jim served as the Deputy Director/Senior Photo Editor for the White House Photo Department for the final three years of President Obama's administration, assisting in the daily editing of the visual historical record of the President.

He is presently the Supervising Photographer for the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and plans to retire in 2024, with plans to travel with his wife, Janet Constable Preston.