John DeSanto apprenticed under LIFE Magazine photographer Bernard Hoffman in 1971-73 and became a full-time professional photojournalist in 1974. He has worked as a staff photographer for publications in New Jersey, Georgia, Texas, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and New York. His work has been distributed worldwide by the Associated Press and United Press International.

John has photographed a broad spectrum of American life in the past three decades. He has covered the inauguration of George H.W. Bush, a U.S. Senate campaign of Ted Kennedy and an appearance by the exiled ruler of Tibet, the Dalai Lama.

In the sports world, John has trained his lenses on athletes as varied as Pittsburgh Steeler greats Franco Harris and Terry Bradshaw, baseball stars Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle, boxing legend Marvin Hagler and America’s Cup sailor Dennis Conner.

He has captured on film the genius of jazz great Dizzy Gillespie, new-age star Pat Metheny and rock icons Jackson Browne, Dave Mason and James Taylor, among others. Recently, he worked with Sean “P-Diddy” Combs at the grand opening of his new store in Manhattan.

John DeSanto is Director of Photography at the Times Herald-Record and resides in Warwick, N.Y. with his wife and two daughters.

Awards

Newspaper Awards:
First place, New Jersey Press Association – Portrait and personality
First place, New Jersey Press Association – Sports action
Second place, New Jersey Press Association – Sports action
First place, National Press Photographer’s Association – Region 8 – Coverage of Hurricane Alicia damage
First place, Georgia Press Association – Scenic photography

Online Awards:
A “Grand Slam” winner of BestFoto.com’s photography contest during 2004 and 2007 and a 102-time winner of the BestFoto worldwide daily competition.
A three-time daily and monthly winner of the prestigous Kodak.com contest.
First place, BestFoto.com Picture of the Month, August 2006
Second place, Photographer of the Year, Nikon Forum (2004)

Shows:
Images of Warwick, Port of Call Gallery, Warwick, NY (Spring 2004)
Christmas Collection, Port of Call Gallery, Warwick, NY (Winter 2004-05)

iBooks:
“DSLR - The Nikon D70” by Peter iNova: John DeSanto’s photos featured in Digital Visions: A Gallery of Fine Photography (2004)