About

For those who might be discovering me for the first time, my name is James Barkley, and I am the creative and visual storyteller behind Travel Secret Source.

From backpacking around Europe for 3 months, to hiking 4 days along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru, I have been traveling to 30+ countries over the past 20 years.

My intention with Travel Secret Source is to share my own first-hand travel tips, inspiration and deep research that I have done before going to a place.

How did it all begin?

When friends from overseas came to visit me in NYC, “Little Italy” was on top of their list for Italian food. I had a visceral reaction to this, as I avoid that area in general for food. It's full of crowds and the food can often be a bit of a 'tourist trap.' There are so many other places that are not in this touristy area that are far more authentic and a better experience. This sparked the idea to share my tips for places to go when visiting a destination. Going beyond the spots that are on all the typical travel lists. What some call, hidden gems.

With my experience in photography and videography, I'm using my skills to create content that will hopefully spark inspiration for you, and offer tips on the less expected spots. There is nothing worse than going somewhere and being disappointed. Feeling like a place was overrated, overcrowded or a waste of time and money. Whenever I visit a destination I heavily research it before even going there. Sometimes it’s a lot of work, but it’s a real passion of mine. Getting positive feedback and hearing stories from people who went somewhere or booked a trip using my advice, brings me immense joy. I used to not want to tell anyone about my favourite spots. Almost gate-keep my little secret finds for myself. I found opening up and sharing this with others helped me connect more, and become a go-to person to reach out to for advice. This gives me such great satisfaction. Rather than keeping it all to myself, it's much better to share with others and spread the knowledge. You won’t find me gatekeeping here!    

My journey into travel content creation wasn’t a sudden pivot, but rather the natural convergence of my life’s work. I grew up in Australia in front of the camera, as a child actor. After college, I switched to the other side of the camera, in the advertising industry working as a Creative Director. Alongside that commercial work, I’ve been a professional photographer since 2015, shooting everything from high-concept social media campaigns and fashion editorials to event and documentary photography. Over time, I realized I wanted to utilize my creative skills and apply them to my greatest passion: exploring and documenting the world.

Through @TravelSecretSource, I also provide businesses with a hybrid of high-level creative strategy and on-the-ground production. My services include videography, vlogging, voice over, editing, photography, retouching, creative direction, design and high-quality, highly shareable social content, both short and long-form.

The main problem I solve for my clients is bridging the gap between a beautiful image and a strategic brand narrative. I don’t just show up and point a camera; I approach every destination, boutique property, or brand partnership with a sharp eye for luxury aesthetics, cultural trends, and marketing strategy. Because I know how to build a high-concept campaign from the ground up, I know exactly how to craft visual hooks that capture attention and drive genuine engagement.

I am most proud of my ability to translate the authentic, cinematic feeling of a physical place into a digital experience that resonates emotionally with an audience. Ultimately, the main thing I want potential clients and followers to know about my brand is that behind every photograph and video is a deep, deliberate love for storytelling.