Today we want to highlight a truly amazing person. John Auer has been a long time volunteer at AWSOM in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania and we really can’t thank him enough for all of the time he donates to help these amazing animals as he goes in every week to photograph the new faces. Thanks again John for everything you do!
Lens And Leash: When did you first start taking up photography and why?
John Auer: At the age of 7. My father was a motion film producer and director. I was too small to handle a movie camera so he gave me a Kodak Baby Brownie Special along with 5 rolls of film. I used all five rolls on my dachshund, Lana. She was the best model ever.
Lens And Leash: When did you start your photography business and what was your goal when you started the company?
John Auer: I did take a side trip after retirement and started a sports photography business specializing in bicycle racing another lifelong passion as a competitor.
Lens And Leash: What services do you provide?
John Auer: Only pro bono work now.
Lens And Leash: What makes you stand out compared to other photographers?
John Auer: I once took almost 4000 pictures in one day as part of a competitive film comparison. OK, I used six special cameras mounted on a tripod but I still had to load the cameras, compose the shots, adjust the exposures and rewind 100 rolls of 36 exposure film.
Lens And Leash: What is your style and what do you like to photograph most?
John Auer: Domestic animals, landscape, macro, wildlife, portraiture
Lens And Leash: Do you have a favorite project you have shot and why?
John Auer: The first Agfa Scala shoot in the US. It opened a whole new world to pre digital fashion photographers
Lens And Leash: What has been your favorite location to work at so far?
John Auer: Rome and the Vatican
Lens And Leash: What changes have you seen in the industry since you started?
John Auer: From the popularization of color film photography to today’s world of digital imaging.
Lens And Leash: What inspires you?
John Auer: The capacity for animals to forgive.
Lens And Leash: What is your favorite camera?
John Auer: It is hard to say. I have owned more than a hundred cameras ranging from an 8X10 Deardorff to a Minox spy camera. I guess that my current Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is my favorite.
Lens And Leash: What is the one thing you have to have on all of your shoots?
John Auer: Lots of memory cards and batteries.
Lens And Leash: Do you have any tips for aspiring photographers?
John Auer: Be patient, work your subject, check your histogram and shoot more than you think you will need.
Lens And Leash: Do you have any pets? Have you ever adopted?
John Auer: I have two adopted greyhounds.
Lens And Leash: If you could choose one song to play every time you walked into a room for the rest of your life, what would it be?
John Auer: My Way
Lens And Leash: If you were a dog or cat, what type of dog/cat would you be and why?
John Auer: A golden retriever. We should all aspire to be so loving and kind.
