Today we’d like to introduce you to Farley John.
Farley, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I guess I take after my father who loved to take pictures with his Rolleiflex camera. Growing up in the Philippines, he would always take family pictures and capture our moments. I started reading books and magazines on photography, educating myself on the different nuances of the craft. We were not rich, so I had to wait until I was an adult to get my own camera. I continued to read, attended workshops, learned from fellow photographers and practiced really hard.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. Since the beginning, money has always been an obstacle for me. At one point, I had to stop taking pictures as it has become too expensive for me. But the passion has remained and I had to overcome this obstacle to pursue the craft I love.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up in the Philippines is very much different. Schoolwork is very much emphasized. School hours are longer, we had homework almost everyday and quizzes almost everyday too. And all schools have uniforms. You can very much identify which school a child goes to by their uniforms.
I was very shy as a kid. Because of this, I hardly socialize and almost always just buried myself in school work. Being studious, I was always in the honor roll. I was self-sufficient, having to learn everything by myself. In high school, I joined most of the academic clubs – Science club, Math club, etc. I wanted to join the photography club but I did not have my own camera. We could not afford one and my father’s Rolleiflex was just that, my father’s.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
This one summer, we were able to go to this region in the Philippines called Bicol. It is a beautiful place. Here you will find the most majestic volcano called Mayon. It is considered to be the most perfect conical shaped volcano in the world. We also visited the ruins of the Cagsawa church. This church was ruined when the volcano erupted and buried the entire church under the lava. Only the bell tower remained unburied. I consider this the most memorable because I did not have a camera then, but its awe-inspiring beauty remained in my very core.
What are your plans for the future?
Any job that I can get where I can be holding my cameras everyday will be the greatest!
Contact Info:
- Phone: 626-937-6610
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/photosbyfarley
- Other: www.modelmayhem.com/photosbyfarley
Image Credit:
Photo of me (r) and model Jana.
Model in white tank top – Marketa.
Close up model – Vera.
Volleyball – Todd Rogers (r)
Surfer – Kelly Slater
