John was born and raised in Western Pennsylvania, primarily in the greater Pittsburgh area.  After serving a brief tour in the U.S. Navy,  John spent several years wandering throughout North America until landing in Austin, Texas at the tail end of the 1970s.  There he established some roots (of sorts), limiting his physical travel through central and northern Texas.  During this time, he became serious about photography as a means of expression and economic survival.  He attended Austin Community College majoring in biology and then commercial photography.  While living in Denton, Texas, he attended North Lake College where he studied Television Production and Video Technology. His careers in commercial photography and video production remained intertwined with such diverse vocations as carpentry, veterinary technology, and  baker.

Since 1996, he has resided in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where he shares a big cold Victorian house with his wife Rachel and their children Johnny and Riley Grace, and their dog, Sage the Mighty Puppers.