James Hayman

James Hayman is a photographer, director and producer based in Los Angeles. After attending The American University for photojournalism, he studied film at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and post-graduate work at New York University, though his photojournalistic roots still inform his practice today. Working for the UN’s disaster relief efforts after the 1976 earthquake in Guatemala, led to several series of photographic work in Central America. In the 1980s, Hayman began shooting various independent films in New York City and then worked as a cinematographer in China, Japan, and more series of photographic work documenting Asia. In 1989 he moved to Los Angeles to direct and produce multiple television shows and films. Since then, he has directed numerous pilots, including Dangerous Minds and Drop Dead Diva, as well as episodes of The Sopranos, ER, Law & Order, House, Desperate Housewives, and others. He has worked as an executive producer, most notably on Ugly Betty, which led to winning a Golden Globe Award. He has also been nominated for two Emmy Awards and a Director’s Guild Award.