Artist Biography

John Stottlemyer has always known he would be an artist.  He had his first "one-man show" at his elementary school when he was seven years old.  John graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BFA in Fine Art and worked in advertising and marketing communications as an illustrator, graphic designer, creative director and product photographer.

John shot his first travel images of Spain and Morocco during his college years and later became passionate about outdoor photography after exploring the Colorado Plateau in Utah and Arizona. He was instantly captivated by it's magnificent color and form, visual diversity and fascinating history.  Also at this time, he became inspired by the work of Michael Fatali, David Muench and Jack Dykinga, leading fine art landscape photographers of the American Southwest.  John later conducted photographic workshops and custom instructional trips in the same red rock country he had come to love.  He also taught workflow and composition for photographers, and published a coffee table book, titled Faces of the Grand Plateau, available in print through BLURB.com and as an e-book (by the same title) on the iPad, through Google Books or Kobo.  John sold his work at numerous Minnesota art fairs for many years.

John finds his subjects in Europe, Africa, India, Southeast Asia and the Americas.  Besides dramatic and unique landscapes, he loves the architecture of the old world and is fascinated by indigenous cultures, globally.  Most recently, he is pursuing wildlife and birding photography in Central and South America.

John loves to talk photography and will readily tell you it is all about TLC: Timing, Light and Composition.  He considers his subjects to be gifts and says he is merely passing them forward.  In the field, John carefully studies the way light defines the subject and often returns many times to a location before it's right.  One remote ruin in the desert southwest required six visits over a ten year period before all elements came together for an acceptable image.

It is John's sincere hope that his work inspires you to travel and enjoy the wonderful destinations he cares so deeply about.  Please don't hesitate to contact him directly.  He'll answer any questions you have and gladly share his stories about your favorite image or photographic destination.