Why Me?

 

I am driven to create high quality Art Photographs....if you have seen them, and they are what you want....then work with me.  It all starts there. If you do work with me, I believe you will be happy with both the results and the experience;  I handle things in a straightforward, responsive, professional manner.  more about my approach:

  • PEOPLE – The ability to deal with subjects in a way that gets the very best out of them is central.  I strive for looks of connection, the very best ‘looks’ I can get.  Things I do to create this:  putting people at ease; drawing looks of connection out; bringing people together for group shots in ways that are easy and natural; cultivating the positive and upbeat; bringing out the best.

  •  ART & BEAUTY – I continually look, scout, for the conditions of light, color, scenery that will look great. then, I position my subject in that place for the shots.  I have an experienced eye that finds:  beautiful scenes, gorgeous color and light; backgrounds that tell a story.  I know the art of background blurring - am able to identify the scenes that will look amazing.

  • CUSTOM DEVELOPING—The best photography is the result of using  BOTH 1) great equipment AND 2) amazing software. I know from experience that A commitment to BOTH is necessary.  My shooting is in the RAW format, which is basically data gathering.  The photos are really created in the software.   I have a passion for BOTH shooting and developing.  I have the very latest software, know what it can do, and shoot knowing what I can do in developing.   I use BOTH  to turn my vision into Art Photographs.  In addition, its important to me to do the re-touching that is appropriate and necessary.  a photo is not done unless it has been optimized, and looks as good as I know it can.  

 
 

Testimonials

“Exceptional talent, service, and the best to work with”.  -- Magazine Executive

“John is an incredible photographer AND person. He was a joy to work with and made me feel like a beautiful person both behind and in front of the camera through his kind words and encouragement! He has a very authentic and evident love for photography, and takes great pride in his work. The photos he created were beautiful and ethereal, and I could not be more pleased! You cannot go wrong with this photographer.”  --Professional Model

“…I was impressed with your professional attitude, commitment to being there early to late your HARD WORK!  Your ability to cope with everyone there.  And we got the phots so quickly, thank you!   I recommend you to anyone needing a really good photographer…..”    --Event Client

 
 

10 Things About Me

  • I specialize in People photography.  Portraits, events, photoshoots, weddings.  All centered on making people look great.  I believe that doing all of these makes me better at each.

  • I do it because I love it.....its my choice.......I've been a serious photographer since 1978.......over time, I've learned that photographs of People are what draw me most......when I capture 'THAT LOOK', or any special photograph, its great fun, and it has great meaning to me.

  • I take great care and time in developing the photos. the two aspects of that are: 1) selection; 2) developing.  both are important in my work.  The shooting time is typically 1/3 of the total time - 2/3 is spent on selection and optimization/developing.  Many of my photographs are composites, meaning that they are made up of 2 or more photos, and I typically shot with that in mind.

  • In Portraits, the most important things are the Eyes, expression, feeling......I try to Create an environment where people are relax and feel like themselves.....I go for emotion, animation, personality displayed......I shoot for that, I select photos for editing with that in mind, and I edit to bring that out.  

  • Weddings....are my great 'photo opportunity'.....beauty, Meaning, family, setting, emotion.....people who want to be photographed, want  great photos, want that meaningful moment captured, want their story told.......kinda heaven for me.

  • I am a geek, a techie.....I love the digital age......figuring out the depths of the settings of my camera, fixing a computer problem, experimenting with software.......my idea of a good time.

  • if you invite me to a party, i’m happy…if you invite me to a party, AND you say I can take photos, then I am really happy.

  • I have  three adult Children that I love, a beloved creative wife, an unruly house, a community of characters, in the Ravenna neighborhood of Seattle.

  • In a prior life I was a lawyer.  That was work, this feels like play…it draws me, is a ‘want to’ nat a ‘have to’.  But the lawyer experience helps me plan, execute, achieve, see and avoid problems, Believe I can do just about anything.

  • Some movies I like:   Godfather III (Al Pacino kills me); Oh Brother (great stupid fun); Sophie's Choice (Streep in her chameleon prime); The Reader (now that is drama);  The Big Lebowski (makes me belly laugh); Training Day (most intense movie I know); Forest Gump (Americana made original); Tree of Life (visually stunning, I want to shoot like THAT); Se7en (twisted!).  

 
 
 

Email Me

Yes, please write me below.  All inquiries and questions welcome.