After being given his first camera by his father, John took a picture of his Dad being presented the Bronze Star Award by President Kennedy and later that day also snapped a picture of President Kennedy in his motorcade as it passed through Tampa. It was the following day that history recorded Kennedy's assassination. "That left an impression," John says thoughtfully adding, "I wanted to seize the moment." It was then as a young boy John realized the depth of photography as a means of preserving and communicating history. His journey to become a photographer began in the US Air Force including a tour to England. John positioned himself as a photographic specialist recording the visits of such dignitaries as Queen Elizabeth II, Presidents Nixon and Carter and the Secretary of State. While in the military, John enhanced his training and further honed his self-taught skills which eventually showcased his talent as he became a sought-after photographer. Now, located in Fort Lauderdale, John has worked with his wife Theresa since 1982, collaborating on architectural, interior, advertising and annual report productions, exhibitions, fine art commissions and numerous personal and commercial projects. In 1994, John's platinum photographs were published in the award winning book, PLACES IN TIME- HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE AND LANDSCAPES OF MIAMI. John Gillan has also received the Architectural Photographer of the Year Award from The American Institute of Architects in 1995 and 2005. Years of fine art exhibitions in galleries and museums in Florida-mainly Coral Gables, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Naples, Tallahassee and France have showcased Gillan's work with Polaroid, platinum printing and pinhole photography techniques. Published photographic books and critical corporate and commercial work have shown John to be an accomplished professional photographer. John's advertising, editorial and fine art work is know for his technical perfection and conceptual strength.
	Gillan's personal projects show his compassion for photographing people. His ability to create personal projects was inspired by his mentor famed French photographer, Lucien Clergue. Gillan has worked with Clergue on various workshops, lectures and print exhibitions in the United States-mainly Miami, Palm Beach, White Sands and France. From concept to creation, no matter what the subject - be it architecture, interiors, corporate identity, advertising, pristine landscapes, people or historic John takes great care in communicating his vision to create unforgettable impressions. Since 1983, John Gillan is president of south Florida based, John Gillan Photography, Inc.