Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to John Burrow. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
John, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?
Success is often measured but rarely defined. It varies from person to person. But, to me, success is a place of professional contentment. As to the question “What does it take to be successful?” – failure. Failure and having the fortitude to get yourself up and try again to reach that place of personal and professional contentment is the secret sauce of success.
While I am a photographer, I am also a teacher. And, I implore my students to see failure as a chance rather than a catastrophe. It is an opportunity to learn, to grow, and to reinvigorate your drive toward your own goals.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My name is John, and I am a teacher, a writer, and a photographer. However, I would consider myself a story-teller.
Photography, in particular, holds a special place in my heart. It is something I am passionate about, and it helps me view the world around me. I have fond memories of photography as a child at family gatherings, vacations, etc. Being able to capture an image of a memory, a time, and a place for decades to come is a powerful thing. I distinctly remember taking a first-place blue ribbon in a photography contest as a kid, and it left an impression upon me.
While I did not touch photography for years, it found me again in the late 2018. I began to embark into digital photography, and it led me to this point where I primarily take black and white photographs of urban, street, and travel scenes. But, photography to me is a journey. I will always grow and develop in this craft.
I am obsessed with creating images that tell a story and garner a response from the viewer. As such, printing my images is important. Printing images is a major part of my business as well as my practice. I began the fine-art printing portion of my craft as a means to see the photographic exercise completed, but it evolved into a business in and of itself. I am my harshest critic, and I strive to release prints and images that are up to my own high standard.
As cliche as it may be, we are bombarded by images everyday, all day long. Never before have more images been made. But, very few are actually more than the simple snapshot. My standard is to produce high quality images that have substance and story. They demand your time to view. I think this sets me apart from most, but I am certainly not alone in this pursuit.
But, perhaps more than anything else, I have a loving and supportive wife. She is fully supportive and encouraging of my creative pursuits, and I am always in debt to her all she means to me and to my endeavors.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
Recently, I was reminded of a quote by Francis Bacon (the artist) that one of the most noble pleasures in life is in observing. To observe and be a part of where you are, who you are with, and with yourself is one of the most rewarding parts about being a photographer. As a photographer, you are forced to “see” and observe. I find that to be the most rewarding part of being a photographer.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
To go along with the previous question, one of my goals is to be present. When I take a photograph, I want to be a part of the scene and the environment – not a voyeur that peers vicariously from a safe distance.
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