John Allen

John's interest in photography seemed to begin from the moment he discovered his parents’ brownie camera. Shooting anything and everything from trees, to his little brother and those classic self-portraits. Born in New York and raised in Pennsylvania, John's tastes were cultivated by the edginess of city life to the overwhelming beauty of the country.

Eventually, John moved up to his first 35mm camera while serving in the US Army, stationed in Wurzburg Germany. His interest and love of photography deepened by photographing the historic castles and beautiful landscapes Germany had to offer. After his military service, John earned his A.S. Degree in Commercial Art. He soon went to work for a local paper doing paste up and layout designs while taking on freelance assignments.

In 1990 inspired by his father’s career path, John became an Emergency Medical Technician. Always academically gifted he furthered that course in 1992 by successfully achieving his Paramedic certification. He worked in the field for 15 years and during that time acquired an additional certification as a rescue diver. Still driven by his artistic nature and creative mind, John spent several years as a professional drummer that again, inspired him to shoot bands, musicians and other entertainers. These experiences, however, were for the most part woven into John's life as part time gigs to his full time career.

It would have remained that way had it not been for a project that changed his whole perspective. While photographing a friend who commented, after viewing the images for the first time, "..you made me beautiful!" John replied "No...I only captured what was already there." John was affected by her reaction very much. It was at that moment he realized his true passion. In March of 2002 JAM Studios was established. For the next two years John read and studied every book and magazine he could get his hands on. He attended workshops and seminars to learn and perfect his craft.

In August of 2004, John put down his stethoscope for good, picked up his camera and never looked back...