James Kerr was born in Yorkshire, England. Migrated to Australia with family (arriving in Fremantle) and lived in Carnarvon and Geraldton before moving to Perth for tertiary studies. B.A. English/History Curtin University.

Worked variously as a picture framer, CES Officer, Nickel miner. studied Film/TV at Curtin and Murdoch Universities and worked on various media/TV productions, usually documentaries, as camera operator/lighting.

Published two books of black & white photography;

Mono Freo (2001)
Moments (2003)