Jim Burkett

Jim Burkett - DBTV Photographer

Jim has been photographing since childhood and began his interest in photography when he received a photograph sent to him by his father while serving in Viet Nam. He said the black and white photo showed his father and platoon smiling and happy, but the eyes told a different story. The power of that image has stayed with him ever since.

Last year he received the 'Volunteer of the Year' award presented by the Pediatric Cancer Foundation and Mercedes-Benz. Serving as the official photographer for the Pediatric Cancer Foundation, his photos have appeared in numerous publications benefiting cancer research and funding.

In addition to his volunteer service for the Pediatric Cancer Foundation, he also voluntarily photographs numerous yearly events for The Boys and Girls Club of Tampa, including their yearly 'New York Yankees' fundraiser luncheon attended by all players and coaches. Other charitable organizations include The Lion's Eye Research Institute of Florida.

This past January, he crewed for almost a week aboard 'Earthrace', a boat currently in pursuit of setting a world record circumnavigating the globe. His aerial photos of the boat have been used by the Discovery Channel and the History Channel, along with appearing in dozens of newspapers and magazines, and on hundreds of websites.

Jim's is a past member of the Tampa Bay Dragon Boat Club and competed in the 2006 IDBF Nationals. In addition to competing, he also photographed the event and has had many photographs used by the TBDBC for their advertising and publications as well as displayed on their website.

For over 5 years, he has been capturing Dragon Boat Racing and it is his action shots and ability to be in the right place at the right time that has earned him his reputation as one of the leading photographers of the sport.