In 1871 James Colson Bevis lived with his widowed mother in Bevois Town, and worked as a messenger. The 1881 and 1891 census records listed Colson Bevis as a photographer, living with his wife and family at the same address in Bevois Town.
By 1901 Colson Bevis had moved to Paynes Road, Freemantle. He worked as a photographer in Freemantle until his death in 1918.