“It started by accident really. I picked up the camera to get images for my paintings. Then I learned more about the art and discovered the beauty of the images. It hit me like a ton of bricks. The images became another medium to show many parts of my world and what I experience.”
Photographer John Brewer sought out art at an early age. Like many young artists, as a child the Dorchester, MA native was a comics fan. It was in the pages of some of his favorite hero stories that he was introduced to illustration. More and more he spent his time copying the books until he was able to create his own visions of their exploits. That love of illustration would lead him to painting and serve as the foundation of his work in photography.
“The documentary work started simply as a way to show what my friends were doing. I kept my camera with me constantly. I was just documenting my life. I was trying to pull the beauty of out my surroundings. I started to use the things I learned in illustration about light composition to try and compose great images. To this day I try to frame my shots like paintings.”
One of the first students of Artists For Humanity, John later would go on to teach photography for the organization after studying at the Art Institute of Boston. Later, fashion became his introduction to professional photography.
“Shooting for local designers and models in Boston became my transition. That lead me to shoot New York’s fashion week. Capturing the major work from all the top fashion houses is a favorite of mine. And also the opportunity to work with Tyra Banks for tyra.com. There is always a new chapter to write. Fashion is just the latest chapter in my artistic journey.”
