Biography
Joel Wolfson, a Southwest native, is published internationally and his roster of notable clients include Newsweek, Elle, Seventeen, Houghton Mifflin, Family Circle, and corporate clients such as Apple, AT&T, 3M, United Airlines, Chase and Pillsbury. He is one of the pioneers of digital photography. His technical articles on digital imaging have been translated for use in more than 30 countries. Yet he is best known for his artistic images of nature’s fleeting moments as well as abstracts and unexpected views of everyday places around the globe.
Joel has also been an educator since he started teaching photography in 1985 at the University of Minnesota while working on his degree there. He conducted digital photography seminars for Apple and other corporations starting in the early 90s. He has presented at national conferences, written articles, and currently teaches photography workshops and seminars at his Flagstaff studio as well as conducting workshops around the world. He enjoys sharing his experience and skills with his workshop participants. His goal is to convey these in an easy to understand and enjoyable manner while providing individual attention.
His love of photography started as a child peering over the developer tray witnessing the magic of the appearing image as his older sister made prints in the darkroom. By age 13 Joel built his own darkroom, shot pictures and printed them when he wasn’t devouring every photography book he could find. Initially influenced by Ansel Adams, Joel learned the zone system and black and white “pre visualization.” Further inspiring Joel’s vision were painters Rembrandt, Monet, and Picasso. And he had the good fortune to have as his mentors and work with, some of the world’s best photographers. He has devoted the 20+ years of his successful career as a photographer pushing the limits of the medium, continually expanding his talent for revealing the hidden, extraordinary moments in our world.
While he has successfully worked in a wide array of photographic projects, he continues to have a special place in his heart for his native Southwest, which he has used to expand his portfolio of work and offer to fine art enthusiasts and collectors. His work graces the walls of private and corporate collections worldwide.
Joel has always sought the most accurate translations of the scenes and moments he captures. This means paying special attention to the unique palette of colors, light, tones and textures that he encounters in both the natural and urban environments around the globe.