James R. Freeman was born and raised in Berks County, PA. He has researched his Freeman family lineage back to 1752 when the County was formed. Ten generations, all lived within a half hour drive from his home near Leesport, PA. His fascination with photography began as a child, long before he "bought" his first camera with S&H Green Stamps at the age of 10. He became serious about the medium in 1974 with the purchase of his first Nikon. His passion for the medium and his Pennsylvania German perfectionism soon brought his work to a Professional level. He started his business, North Light Photography, in 1979 after working for another commercial photographer for 2 1/2 years.

For over 38 years Freeman has provided award winning images for local and national companies like Alcon Surgical, Garden State Tanning, Brush Wellman, Hershey Chocolate Co., Reading Rehabilitation Hospital, Reading Consumer Products, Rodale Press, Rockwell International, Arrow International, RAM Motors & Controls, Reading Phillies, Exide, Yuasa, Coldwell Banker, National Trust For Historic Preservation, RACC, Albright College, Penn State Extension, World Book Childcraft, Intl. as well as Graphic Designers, Advertising Agencies, other small businesses and individuals who valued his keen eye for detail and ability to deliver high quality work, under tight deadlines and on budget.

Freeman maintains an extensive archive of stock images on many subjects. Included are film originals, 35mm up to 4x5, as well as tens of thousands of digital images. Although he spends most of his time shooting in and around Reading & Berks County, he has traveled throughout the United States and Canada, creating thousands of beautiful photographs along the way. Contact the photographer about stock photo availability for editorial or other licensing requirements.

Freeman has exhibited his work in numerous venues, including the 1985 National Arts Program Exhibit in the Philadelphia Civic Center, 3 juried Scenic River Days Art Exhibits in Reading, PA, winning a 2nd place award in it’s last year. He received an Award of Merit for one of his photos of the Ephrata Cloisters published in the 1985 Best of Photography Annual for Photographers Forum Magazine. He won two Best of Show awards in the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce multimedia Fine Art show in back to back years. He had a one man show in the Berks Arts Council’s Pagoda Gallery in October and November of 1999. He won a second place award in the 2005 “Art of Jazz” show held in conjunction with the annual Berks Jazz Festival. Freeman has been a judge for a Berks 4H Photography show and was the sole juror for 2 Berks Camera Club Juried Exhibitions. For three years he helped judge the Senior Art Show at Gring’s Mill Park for the Berks County Senior Citizens Council. He served on the Board of Directors of the Berks Arts Council for seven years. He currently sits on the Board of the Leesport Historical Society, Chair of the History Committee.

You can find North Light Photography on Facebook.