Beginning his journey as a photographer during the end of his sophomore year at Woodstock North High School, located in Illinois. He continued his journey in the field through his junior and senior year as co-Editor-in-Chief of the school’s. This was followed through the pursuit of photography as a full-time career and enrolling in higher-education through University.
Hoeck completed his undergraduate degree in photography and minor in media (media and cinema studies, journalism, and advertising) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in May of 2025.
Through Hoeck’s work as a photojournalist, he focuses on connecting with communities through his lens. Hoeck works in diverse beats as a journalist but takes notable strides in coverage of protests, concerts, and sports. Hoeck believes in the importance and responsibility of being in the moment and connecting with the community of the present story. Hoeck served as the Photo Editor for the Illini Media Company’s newspaper The Daily Illini receiving several accolades for his work with the publication. Hoeck also led as Editor-in-Chief of the Illio book publication — heading the production of the University of Illinois’ official yearbook.
Outside his work as a photojournalist, Hoeck works as an independent artist primarily in fine art portraiture. His work was featured in the second largest art museum in Illinois, The Krannert Art Museum, alongside a multi-room solo-exhibition during his final year of University.
Hoeck is open for freelance and full-time work.
Email: semaj.jpeg@gmail.com
Awards
2025 Award for Excellence in Illinois College Newspapers — First Place, Photo Essay | Illinois College Press Association
2025 Award for Excellence in Illinois College Newspapers — Second Place, Sports Photo | Illinois College Press Association
2025 Award for Excellence in Illinois College Newspapers — Honorable Mention, General News Photo | Illinois College Press Association
2024 Award for Excellence in Illinois College Newspapers — Third Place, General News Photo | Illinois College Press Association
2023 Award for Excellence in Illinois College Newspapers — First Place, Feature Photo | Illinois College Press Association
2023 Award for Excellence in Illinois College Newspapers — Honorable Mention, Photo Essay | Illinois College Press Association
Exhibitions
2025 Journal of James P. Hoeck, Flagg Hall, Champaign, IL
2025 BEYOND THE PAGES, BLOC Gallery, Champaign, IL
2025 Takeover, School of Art & Design, Champaign, IL
2024 The Whole Donut, Link Gallery, Champaign, IL
2024 New Work: Advanced Photography, BLOC Gallery, Champaign, IL
2023 Cross/Cut, BLOC Gallery, Champaign, IL
2022 Takeover, School of Art & Design, Champaign, IL
2021 8 to CREATE, Illini Union, Urbana, IL
Publications
2025 Evolving Nostalgia — Illio, Vol. 131, Champaign, IL
2024 Renaissance — Illio, Vol. 131, Champaign, IL
2024 The Fashion Network UIUC, Issue 13, Champaign, IL
2023 “UPSAHL and Hoosh Talk Lollapalooza 2023 and Future Endeavors,” MP3 Magazine, Denver, CO
2023 Verve — Illio, Vol. 130, Champaign, IL
2022 Good Morning Illini — Illio, Vol. 129, Champaign, IL
2022 “Track and field team break records in weekend competition,” Northern Star, Dekalb, IL
2022 “Track and field wins four events at Illini Classic,” Northern Star, DeKalb, IL
2021 Into the Future — Woodstock North High School Yearbook, Vol. 13, Woodstock, IL
2020 Retro — Woodstock North High School Yearbook, Vol. 12, Woodstock, IL