I am a professional photographer with a background in history and historic preservation. My work centers on architecture, place, and the emotional presence of built environments. My photographs and written work on historic sites have been published in magazines and books.
I approach photography as interpretive architectural portraiture — focusing on light, atmosphere, and the quiet traces left by time. Rather than documenting buildings as objects, I aim to explore how spaces feel to inhabit, preserving moments that exist briefly before changing or disappearing.
Growing up in Fort Worth, I developed an early fascination with historic neighborhoods, particularly Fairmount and Ryan Place. As a child, I often rode through these areas with my grandmother, learning to recognize architectural styles and listening to the stories behind the homes — experiences that shaped my lifelong connection to place and memory.
My visual approach has been influenced by time spent exploring museums and the western landscape, where I developed an appreciation for light, form, and design.
I studied fine art photography and design at Tarrant County College and later joined the journalism department. Today, I serve as Production Manager for The Collegian, working alongside nationally award-winning photography, design, and marketing students.
In addition to my creative work, I have been actively involved in historic preservation, serving as Chair of the Tarrant County Historical Commission from 2023–2024 and 2025–2026.
I live in a 1915 bungalow in Fort Worth’s Fairmount National Historic District and also maintain a home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where I photograph the western landscape, nature, and the night sky.
Through all of my work, I continue to seek ways to blend architecture, light, and landscape — creating images that reflect both place and the passage of time.
Photo by John Ladd