Photographer - Wayland, MA
"i started out as a child, knee-high to a grasshopper...."
Yeah, that's all I could get out of him. A quiet fellow.
John started snapping odd shots with his Brownie Bullet camera a few years ago, moved on to a series of Kodak Instamatics, and through the auspices of his children (Cinnamon, Aurora) and wife (Natalie), now employs an actual 35mm Vivitar and a Fuji Endeavor. This has increased resolution for enlargement purposes but keeps the point-and-shoot aspect alive: what is seen is what is got. He has exhibited a few shots here and there, most recently on his mother's refrigerator....but if you don't know her, for the month of August you can see nine of his Reflections in the Wayland Library. In 2001 his Dreamscape image won the best Amateur award in the annual Eastern Mass. National Wildlife Refuge photo contest. Next March he and Aurora will be mounting a show at the library with over thirty-five selections, she adding her black and white expertise to the mix.
Another aspect to John's photography is supplying pictures of diners and roadside statuary to Bill Griffith who then turns them into backgrounds for his internationally circulated daily comic strip, Zippy. Over thirty photos have been used over the past few years, and Natalie, Cinnamon and Aurora have also been published in this manner. (Brother Vin and his family as well have contributed at least that many to the cause!) The 2003 annual featured a transformation of John's shot of a giant Arthur Fiedler bust as the title page. Be sure to see the September 5th Zippy, when he will be conversing with Mauna Loa, the giant macadamia nut, as pictured by John and Natalie on their recent honeymoon. On October 16th you can see Kona's Keoki Donkey from the same trip, in full color. (By the by, on that same trip Natalie took the stunning Hilo Arch shot featured on Page 2 of the photo gallery. Some of her shots from Alaska are featured on Page 6, and more of her work will be added in the future.)
In the meantime, John will keep wandering here and there, adding pictures to this website for your perusal and pleasure. Feel free to visit the Guestbook page to add any comments and feedback, or go to the Photo Pricing page to see if you might like to have some images made into postcards or a calendar....and you are also welcome to purchase a large or small print, framed or unframed. Want John to take an aerial shot for you, provide something different for your CD or book jacket, or take some other specialty shot? Give him a holler, he likes adventure.
What's next? John is trying to get several of his books for children, illustrated by Aurora, published and is trying to market a high school musical written with Cinnamon. A CD of original songs is being readied, and soon on this site you will see photos of shell animals, yes, shell animals, which you can have for your very own. Or a small jar of polished wampum, courtesy of the quahogs of Buzzards Bay. The fun is just beginning, and it is hoped that you will check in now and then to see what has been added. Sound bites from the musical or CD? Natalie's kickin' humus recipe? You'll just have to wait and see...
And a last bit of verbiage, pried from JG:
" and 'though i remain a child in spirit, i am now actually quite taller. please go take a stroll, take a look around, breathe deeply and enjoy your life. thanks for visiting here, see you in the funny pages. "
Availability & Rates:
Please contact me for details.
John Grabill
Wayland, MA
Email: John@newenglandphotosplus.com
URL: www.newenglandphotosplus.com