John Francis Peters
About
I am a San Diego-based photographer and mixed-media artist with more than two decades of experience developing personal projects and working professionally in editorial photography.
I studied graphic design at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, a background that continues to inform how I edit, sequence, and present photographic work. I later worked as a photo director and editorial photographer in New York. My clients have ranged from leading publications, including The New York Times, to cultural organizations such as Grand Park in Los Angeles. My personal practice has included black-and-white and color film, medium-format photography, digital photography, and mixed media.
I have conducted portfolio reviews for photography students as well as professional photographers, both independently and in collaboration with institutions such as Parsons School of Design. I have offered feedback on bodies of work, editing, presentation, and professional direction. These experiences strengthened my interest in helping photographers recognize what is distinctive in their work and develop it with greater clarity and intention.
My own work is rooted in intuition, observation, and sustained engagement with the world around me. I approach photography not only as a professional and artistic medium, but also as a lifelong creative practice that can deepen attention, curiosity, and one’s connection to everyday life.
Teaching Style
My teaching style is conversational, attentive, and tailored to each photographer’s experience, interests, and goals. I do not believe there is one correct way to make, edit, or present photographic work. My role is to listen carefully, look closely, and help each person better understand the qualities that are already emerging in their photographs.
Sessions begin with the participant’s work and intentions. From there, I offer clear and constructive feedback on individual photographs, recurring themes, editing, sequencing, shooting, and presentation. A central part of my approach is exploring the relationship between photographing and editing. Learning to recognize what is working in an edit can influence how we photograph, while continued shooting can reveal new possibilities for a project or body of work.
Depending on the participant’s needs, I may share examples from my own experience as well as work by other photographers and artists. We can also discuss professional and editorial practice, personal projects, workflow, equipment, portfolio presentation, and practical next steps. For participants continuing through multiple sessions, I can suggest assignments or help develop an ongoing project, then review the new work together.
My goal is for each participant to leave with a clearer understanding of their strengths, a stronger sense of direction, and realistic ideas for continuing their photographic practice.
Curriculum
The primary materials for each session are the participant’s photographs and my own photographic practice and professional experience. Participants may bring a developing body of work, images from several projects, a portfolio or website, or a selection of photographs that reflects their current interests and vision.
During sessions, we will closely examine the participant’s photographs, consider different editing and sequencing possibilities, and discuss how the work might develop through continued shooting. As photographers become more attentive editors, they become better able to recognize the unique or unexpected images that may point beyond their original intentions. I often see these photographs as windows into the next stage of an artist’s practice, revealing possible directions for continued work.
I will also draw from my own work and experience to explain how I approach photographing, editing, organizing projects, presentation, and the development of a long-term creative practice. When relevant, I may introduce work by other photographers and artists whose approaches relate to the participant’s interests.
Depending on the participant’s goals, I will recommend photobooks, essays, or other resources for further exploration. For those continuing through multiple sessions, I may also suggest photographic assignments or project exercises, which we will review together in subsequent meetings.
Credentials & Affiliations
Education
BFA in Graphic Design, The School of Visual Arts, New York
Professional Experience
Former Photo Director at The FADER Magazine
Independent editorial and fine-art photographer with more than 20 years of professional experience
Portfolio Review Experience
Portfolio reviewer for photography students and professional photographers, both independently and in collaboration with Parsons School of Design
Selected Clients and Publications
The New York Times, The New Yorker, TIME, The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, Bloomberg Businessweek, WIRED, ProPublica, CNN, The Guardian, The FADER Magazine, Airbnb, Fender Guitars, Grand Park Los Angeles, and Cornerstone Promotion
