johndolanphotog

I’m pleased to announce that our door is open to taking Pre-Orders for a limited number of signed copies of the 2nd Edition of The Perfect Imperfect. (Link in Bio) We’ve added over 35 new images and some fun surprises. Books will arrive from Italy in early autumn. Many thanks for all who helped sell out the first edition so quickly.

Paris is a gift to photographers, as is @oliviadolan #yearinreview

Weddings are a gift to people watchers, amateur therapists, body language translators. Nervous bodies speak loudly. I watch breathing, foot tapping, a jaw clenched, a thumb tucked in a fist, raised shoulders A bride twists her ring with her thumb nervously at start of rehearsal dinner cocktails As my great pal @meredithheuerphotog once said, “Photographing a wedding is like being a street photographer in a really friendly town.” Wish I had come up with that. Last gig of the year. Let’s gooo @nickyreinhardevents

A friend reminded me about this photo from 1994. I was a guest with my wife at her brother’s roommate’s wedding and she asked me to take a few pics to give as a wedding gift. I didn’t know many people so I was free to observe and react to moments like this #shootlikeaguest #tbt

If you’ve see the @marthastewart doc on Netflix, you will have heard the Irish accent of the woman on the right, Isolde Motley. Together with her sister, Clio McNicholl (left), these two kind women changed the trajectory of my career. In 1994, Clio, a photo agent, informed me that Martha was launching a new wedding magazine. She told me to contact her sister, Isolde, Executive Editor of Martha Stewart Living and introduced me to Creative Director @gtowey as the first issue of this new magazine was being planned. I met the marvelous @darcymiller who also believed in me. When the groundbreaking issue of @martha_weddings dropped in early ‘95, I was lucky enough to be featured throughout the pages and the modern era of weddings burst onto the scene like a giant bouquet. Those of us who have careers in this field owe a giant debt of gratitude to all these visionary women #thankful #thanksmartha

How was your wedding? So much goes on, if you look closely. My book in a nutshell #heyjohnny

Two years ago today, a peak experience in my career @naomibiden @peterneal @rafanellievents as seen in the new edition of #theperfectimperfect @damiani_books #happyanniversary

Guest from a different party Friday night in Williamsburg

Offspring all fancy

Moments before the moment. 3 spreads from the new edition of #theperfectimperfect

1920’s or 2024? We never tire of seeing @johndolanphotog at work 💫 We’ve loved sharing his heirloom images of P&C. Xo to @micahcookphotos for these BTS snaps. #augustacole #augustacoleweddings #maineweddings #johndolan

A month ago I enjoyed a special lunch with my two mentors @sylviaplachy and Professor Michael Simon. Both of these kind folks are in my mind often, when I photograph and especially when I teach. I posted an iPhone pic that day, but now the film is back, I get to revisit this day once more with this image. Essentially, a photograph is a sliver of time etched on the surface of silver gelatin, forever #picturesyoucanhear