photo by Sarah DiCiccoJohn began working as a professional photographer in 1987 after studying photography at the Antonelli Institute of Art and Photography. Immediately he discovered the possibilities of creating art within fashion. But John found a more natural fit for his work in storytelling. But he avoids being typecast as a photojournalist. He believes labels are limiting. His work reflects this whether it’s in a single image created during fashion shoot or a photo essay to be published in a newspaper.
John’s travels in Iceland in 2001 coincidentally placed him in an area of photography here rarely explored, landscape photography. He found the traditional approach unrealistic especially with the way he liked to travel. So, he made the best of whatever photographic opportunity he found. Whether the skies were thick with snow or bright and welcoming John made his way through Iceland over a period of several years.
As described in The Philadelphia Inquirer’s review of a 2007 exhibition, “Welsh seems to be working in the area between documentary photography and art.” His Icelandic images have been exhibited in Pennsylvania, North Dakota and Ontario, Canada and have been gifted to the Embassy of Iceland in Washington, D.C.
Welsh has taught within various intern programs through his work at Suburban Publications in Wayne, Pennsylvania and has also taught honors program workshops at Villanova University. He currently serves on the board as vice president of the Philadelphia Chapter of The American Society of Media Photographers.