S1.E7 – John Baloy on Going from Auto Electrician to Full-Time Portrait Photographer

From self-taught beginnings to a decision to pursue photography full time, join Zach Hodges in this episode of f/22 as he sits down with portrait photographer and visual artist John Baloy (vsco.co/johnbaloy/gallery) to discuss his creative journey. Known for his artistic portraits, John reveals how he leans into his distinct editing style and eye for photography to bring some of his most memorable work to life. Whether you’re an aspiring photographer or seasoned artist, John’s story offers inspiration and practical insights that you can apply to your own craft.

0:05 — Intro
0:28 — About John Baloy
1:17 — Start of John’s Career as a Full-Time Photographer
4:30 — How John Captured His Favorite Portrait Photography
12:00 — Making of John’s We The Creators Preset on VSCO (WE2)
12:21 — Approach to Editing & Color Grading Photos
17:17 — Finding Inspiration From Nature in Photography
18:41 — Balancing Commercial Work & Artistic Vision
22:52 — Shooting on Film to Retain Highlights in Photos
24:12 — John’s Camera Gear (Pentax 67 & Fuji XH1)
25:42 — Battling Creative Burnout as a Photographer
27:50 — Building Community Over Following Commercial Standards
30:39 — Advice for Younger Self & Emerging Creatives
33:07 — Outro

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