JOHN TOOLAN
General info
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
New York, NY
New York, NY
My goals: being part of a team, making great images, finding and nurturing new talent, having fun, taking it seriously, getting things organized, getting messy, seeing things I've never seen before, solving problems, bridging gaps, laughing, and playing with as many Golden Retrievers as possible.
Experience
Director of Photography
Field & Stream / Outdoor Life
I handle every aspect of photography for both iconic outdoor brands, including coordinating with editors, writers and designers, managing budgets and contracts, fee negotiation, location scouting, hiring talent for all projects, existing image research, managing an extensive prop collection and growing a roster of outstanding photographers. I work extensively with portraiture, documentary, still life, wildlife, outdoor/adventure and conceptual photographers. I created a budget tracking system that streamlined planning and expenses for all editorial departments. I explain the intricacies of hunting and fishing to many talented photographers who've never held a bow or wet a line, and make sure every image is authentic, accurate and on-brand. I was a key member of the Field & Stream team that won the 2014 ASME General Excellence award for Active Interest Magazines.
Director of Photography
Popular Science
I took this role on in addition to my existing responsibilities as photo director of Field & Stream and Outdoor Life. I'm a one-person photo department, which includes conceptualizing, coordinating with editorial and design teams, budget management, research, hiring photographers, finding new talent, interacting with agencies, negotiating fees and contracts, and seeing every project through from initial discussions to final high-resolution files. I was part of the team that won a 2022 ASME award for single-topic issue.
Freelance Photo Editor
People
I worked in the celebrity group. My assignment was to produce cover and feature shoots and conduct research. I worked with publicists, hired grooming and styling talent, secured studios and locations, handled permits, managed budgets, and negotiated fees and contracts--all while staying up-to-date on who was winning Dancing With the Stars.
Deputy Photo Editor/Contributing Senior Photo Editor
Condé Nast Portfolio
I joined Condé Nast's fledgling business publication a few months into its existence. Starting as a freelancer and working my way up to deputy photo editor, I managed a staff of eight, coordinated story solutions with the edit and design departments, produced cover and feature shoots, conducted research, negotiated fees, hired grooming and styling talent, secured studios and locations, facilitated permits and managed budgets.
Contributing Photo Editor
Men's Health
I produced cover and feature shoots, managed front-of-the book sections, hired styling and grooming talent, conducted model castings, secured locations, coordinated with publicists, negotiated fees and contracts. I also ate a lot of almonds and came to realize my abs were really lousy. During a shoot, the musician/actor Common complimented me on my ability to come up with good poses.
Deputy Photo Editor
ESPN The Magazine
I was among the first staffers in the door. I played a key role in building the photo department from scratch, starting as Associate Photo Editor and working my way up. We worked hard to establish that a sports magazine could be every bit as cutting-edge as any other brand. I managed a staff of six, produced cover and feature shoots, handled research, managed budgets, negotiated fees, secured studios and locations, liaised with PR contacts, and worked on front-of-the book sections and the back page. I explained sports to fashion photographers who didn't know a baseball from a football, worked until 4am on Super Bowl Sundays, caught passes from Donovan McNabb and watched the Yankees-Mets World Series from the outfield bleacher photo pit. Oh, and I threw a lot of Nerf footballs.
Assistant Photo Editor
People
My first job in magazine publishing, this was a thrill. I started as an intern and was offered full-time employment soon after. I produced shoots of both celebrities and non-celebrities, worked on breaking news stories, reviewed thousands of agency images, coordinated with foreign bureaus, and managed budgets and contracts.
Freelance Photo Editor
Clients have included The New York Times, Vanity Fair, Entertainment Weekly, Fortune, Inc., Newsweek, Maxim, Men’s Fitness, Life, Time Inc. Content Solutions, ESPN's The Undefeated and Story Worldwide.
Education
MS Journalism
Columbia University
MA Studio Art/Photography
New York University
BA English
Georgetown University