Adam was born in the Lake District in the UK and studied photography at both Lancaster and Newcastle Colleges. On moving to London in 1996, Adam began assisting a variety of photographers, among them Mario Testino, with whom he worked in Paris beginning in 1998. In 2001 Adam became Mario's first assistant, and in 2006 he became Mario's Director of Photography.

In late 2008 Adam began shooting under his own name, and has since shot for Vogue, Vogue Russia, Vogue Turkey, Harper's Bazaar UK, the Telegraph Magazine, GQ and VMAN. He has further built up a clientele including Versace, Stefanel, Temperley, Barbour, Neiman Marcus, and Bloomingdale's.

Adam married his gorgeous wife Jemima in 2011, and they live between New York and London.