John Harrington

For over two decades, John Harrington, an award-winning photographer and best-selling author has traveled the world creating visual stories of every day lives and history-making events through his camera. His work has appeared in Life, Time, Newsweek, and Rolling Stone. His images from the Pentagon on September 11th, 2001 are a part of the permanent collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. Images from his work as a part of the team documenting the historic inauguration of Barack Obama in 2009 are also a part of that same Smithsonian collection.

Harrington is a San Francisco Bay area native and came to Washington, DC in the mid 1980s as a student at Catholic University of America. He graduate in 1990 with a political science degree , then hired for on as a with The World & I, where he routinely covered the White House, Congress, and the Pentagon. Soon after, he was signed under contract by the Black Star picture agency exclusively licensing his stock images and to fulfill assignments in Washington, DC.

While maintaining Washington, DC as his home base, his assignments took him to Mexico shooting bullfights and ruins; the Caribbean’s lush rain forests and colorful artisans; Bermuda’s postcard-famous pink beaches and haunting lighthouses; Cuba’s isolation-induced poverty and despair; and California’s flow of immigrants crossing the border. Harrington says, “I believe my photographs, usually taken under strenuous conditions and on tight deadlines, captured the flavor and personality of the location while also emphasizing the highest level of photographic detail and expertise.”

In addition to location assignments, Harrington has taken his editorial magazine eye and applied it to corporate clients including Coca-Cola, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, Lockheed Martin, and the National Geographic Society, to name just a few. His ability to blend his photographic skills and creativity with an organization’s specific goals and directives has made him a sought after professional meeting worldwide deadlines and maximize exposure for clients.

Harrington has a true love for his art and takes time to satisfy his artistic whims. His original images have been purchased as art on both coasts. One particularly striking image has been printed as an inspirational poster by the Smithsonian Institution’s Air and Space Museum. Harrington is also a Native-American and has put his skills to use for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian. He believes in being a role model and mentor, educating influential businesspeople about the art and science of photography. Additionally, he offers an internship program for aspiring photographers.

Harrington has lectured across the United States for the North American Nature Photographers Association, American Society of Media Photographers, Advertising Photographers of America (now American Photographic Artists), Professional Photographers of America, and the National Press Photographers Association.

He is an ex-officio President Emeritus of the White House News Photographers Association having finished his second term in 2011. Currently, Harrington is actively involved in his profession sitting on the boards of four photographic trade associations. He also serves as a National Director on the board of the American Society of Media Photographers, on the board of the National Press Photographers Association, and the International League of Conservation Photographers.

Harrington has produced three commissioned books for the Smithsonian and the second edition of his book Best Business Practices for Photographers, remains a bestseller. His latest book, MORE Best Business Practices for Photographers was released in 2014.

Harrington lives in Washington, DC with his three daughters – the most amazing subjects he has ever captured.