John Solem
University Photographer
John Solem has been the university photographer at UMass Amherst since May 2008. His interest in photography arose from a desire to photograph people on the streets of San Francisco and Portland, Oregon. Professional pressure and a letter of recommendation moved him to New York City to enter the International Center of Photography as a documentary photography student. Before moving to western Massachusetts for freelance work, John assisted with photo editing at People magazine, photographed fancy food in New York City restaurants, printed iconic and historical B&W images and processed film for war photographers, photographed weddings, and obsessively covered parades in Manhattan.
Interests
Compost, homebrewed beer, homegrown garlic, sourdough bread-making, Criterion Channel films, beginner audiophile, hearing aids
Fun Fact
I have a third-degree black belt in karate and used to bring my sourdough starter on the bus to work.