James Crawford Van Trees (August 13, 1890 – April 11, 1973)[1] was an American cinematographer in Hollywood whose career spanned the silent and sound eras.

His father was Franklin S. Van Trees (1866-1914), a society architect, best known for his mansions in the Pacific Heights area of San Francisco, such as the Baron Edward S. Rothschild house on Jackson Street.

His mother was silent era scriptwriter Julia Crawford Ivers.

Van Trees was the President of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) during 1923–1924.

His son James Van Trees, Jr. was a cameraman and worked for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer with his father.