John Benford creates honest portrait and lifestyle images and powerful architectural images for commercial and editorial clients of all sizes. Centered on themes of craftsmanship, honest work, relationship to the land, and human connection, John’s photographs are graphically composed, richly textured, rooted in a sense of place, and reflect his deep reverence for life and belief in our common humanity.

John’s vision is informed by his unique background, which includes studying to be a Unitarian Universalist minister followed by almost a decade working with data and systems in the corporate world. Like his path to professional photography, his images live in the tension between the organic and engineered, spiritual and scientific, heart and mind.

John Benford Photography is built on principles of respect for all people and the planet, integrity and fairness in relationships, and sustainability. As such, John especially appreciates working with mission-driven clients such as B Corps and other socially responsible businesses, and on sustainable design projects such as LEED-certified, Passivhaus, net-zero, and living buildings.

John has worked with clients such as Studio at Getty Images, Stout Heart (agency), the Unitarian Universalist Association, TRUX, SMRT Inc, and Lavallee Brensinger Architects. His work has been published in magazines such as Humanities (NEH), UNH, Down East and Maine Home and Design. 

Since 2020, he has been on the board of the New England chapter of the American Society of Media Professionals (ASMP). His work is supported by Wonderful Machine, and stock licensing is available directly or through Cavan Images.

Located just an hour north of Boston, MA, John is available for assignments throughout the Northeast and worldwide.