DWF – Let’s start off with a little bio, tell us a little bit about yourself.
JOHN – I was born in the small town of Thunder Bay, Ontario where I spent the first few years of my life. When my parents split up my Scottish mother decided to move us “home” to the Leitholm (Scotland) where I spend most of my childhood. After graduating high school I decided to move back to Canada to follow my career in Computer Science. Back in Canada I got a job working for a company doing network architecture and slowly moved my way up. I decided however, that it wasn’t for me and that I wanted to do something with a more artistic edge. I’ve always been really interested in photography but I worried it might kill my love of it if it was anything more than a hobby. Thankfully I’m still totally in love with photography and I can’t really see myself doing anything else.
DWF – How did you become a photographer?
JOHN – I think because we moved around a bit, and to really small places with beautiful surroundings, all very different, I felt the need to photograph it. When I was in my late teens I used to go out with my Canon Powershot and photograph long exposures of mills. sometimes you’d find me at 2am in -35 (C) shooting these mills. I was so enthralled by the light and colour and texture that came from the images. After the “IT” thing I went to art school where I studied Photography and Marketing. I was pretty confident when I graduated that I’d end up taking pictures of scantily clad women for Playboy. I (sadly) mocked wedding photographers pretty badly in college. I really felt like wedding photography was the bottom of the barrel photographically. Real photographers had 10 assistants and expensive lights and fast cars and got to hang out with Perez Hilton! After I graduated I didn’t even bother with the dream of becoming a glamour fashion photographer or hanging out with Perez Hilton. I realized after I shot my first wedding that I could be a fashion photographer, a commercial photographer, a portrait photographer and a photo journalist all in one day, and get paid well for it. I think it was at that point that I feel in love with weddings.
DWF- Who or what inspires you as an artist?
JOHN – I take a lot of my inspiration from commercial photographers. I read loads and loads of GQ, Details and W. I also frequent the websites of Andrew Eccles, Jeremy Cowart, Jim Fiscus, Alan Cundy, Russel Baer, Dan Langley, Patrick Demarchelier, Tim Walker, Julia Fullerton-Batten, Loretta Lux, Desiree Dolron (SO GOOD!) to name a few. I’m also really love reading and being inspired by the websites and blogs of my colleagues. I feel like this practice has become almost taboo over the last while!The thing is, there are so many amazing people I can’t help but fall in love with their work. To be honest, I’m most inspired by those who enjoy and appreciate my work. The people who comment on my blog, send me emails, those who really love what I do. They are the ones that keep me making images and pushing myself. I’m humbled by and very very very thankful for them.
DWF- If we needed a photographer today why would we book you? What makes you unique?
JOHN – I’m not sure if there is anything that I’m doing that no one else is doing. My clients hire me because they like me personally and my work is ok. I only work with 15-17 couples a year, and I edit + Photoshop every single image that goes into the final gallery. My final galleries are usually between 300-400 images total. I also put a lot of effort into spending time with my couples and really getting to know them. I think it’s important that they trust me 100% so when I ask them to do something that feels really weird or awkward they trust it will look good. I think I’m a lot of fun to work with, lots of laughs and just generally chilling out and making fun, interesting images.
DWF- If you had to pick a favorite “Tool of the Trade” what would it be? and why?
JOHN – Hmmm, well… I run my business on my own. And I’m not a super organized person so I rely pretty heavily on Tave Studio Manager to keep my business running. I also can’t live without my 50mm.. I shoot 80% of the day at 50mm.
DWF – Care to share your favorite photographs?
JOHN -
DWF – How about some final words to live by?
JOHN – “Always hold on to the truth. Don’t let others sway your heart. Don’t compromise yourself for the sake of temporal groovyness. Be Deeply Funky. Be separate from the crowd that’s awash with normality, by standing on a firm foundation. Never waver in your love or faith ….” – John Fluevog.
Location – Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Business Name – John Edgar Photography
Years in Business – 4 Years
Websites - http://johnedgar.ca
Blog - http://johnedgar.net
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17 Comments at "Featured Member John Edgar"
Jedgar you rock
you def rock bro. Serious inspiration, and one of the best.
JE is a great photographer + a good friend, deserves to be right on top!
John is an amazing talent and even more an amazing person!
Truly John is someone which breaks the mold – humble yet stays helpful to other photographers both new and old alike.
Glad to see John getting more notice, he is truly one that should be getting it!
Simply put I can not say enough nice things about John. He is the type of person which this profession needs more of.
John is one of the greatest people that I have met. He is willing to go out of his way to encourage and push the rest of us to do better.
Congrats Johnny – very proud of you!
John, I’m not even joking. When we get married, I want you for sure to create some of your rockin’ images of us. You’re the coolest photographer I know. So proud of you!
Way to go, John! Represent!
John, you ROCK!!!
John, I was just checking out your site yesterday, So cool! You are totally one of the many photographers whom I use as my inspired…
WTG! It is so nice to see your smiling face getting some well deserved recognition! congrats.
Awww…. my quirky little boy has become all grown up! *sobs* Seriously, it’s always great to follow a young person like John and see him grow into something good. He has a fun attitude and I can totally see why his couples want to spend time with him.
John is an awesome photographer, friend and colleague. You’ve definitely made your mark in the industry and I know you won’t stop pushing yourself
Awesome job!
[...] to report that I was nominated one of The DWFs featured photographers. You can read the interview here if you’re [...]
Great job on being nominated as one of DWFs featured photograhers! We love all of your work and you definitely deserve to be recognized for your amazing work! We can’t wait to have you shoot our wedding next summer!
Very high quality images – excellent lighting and composition.
What camera do you normally shoot with, and do you use film cameras on certain occasion?
There’s good info here. I did a search on the topic and found most people will agree with your blog. Keep up the good work mate!
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