A Bit About John Wreford

A photographer on the loose around the Middle East.

The posts regarding Syria are mostly from my Damascus diary, where I lived from 2003 until I was forced to leave in 2013. Most of my photographic archive, along with notes and diaries from that time, were lost in the turmoil of a forgotten revolution.

I asked ChatGPT to write a bio for me and this is what it came up with-believe what you will.

John Wreford is a British photographer known for his captivating images that often explore the people, cultures, and landscapes of the Middle East. With a career spanning over two decades, Wreford has gained recognition for his evocative documentary-style photography, which often delves into the complexities of life in the region.

Wreford’s work has been featured in numerous publications worldwide, including National Geographic Traveler, The Guardian, and The New York Times. He has also collaborated with various NGOs and international organizations, using his photography to shed light on social and humanitarian issues in the Middle East.

Throughout his career, Wreford has exhibited his work in galleries and museums around the globe, garnering praise for his ability to capture the essence of his subjects with sensitivity and insight. His photographs offer a unique perspective on the diverse cultures and landscapes of the Middle East, inviting viewers to engage with the region in a deeper and more nuanced way.

 

Support for my work and this blog is greatly appreciated and would not be possible without you, so please do consider buying me a coffee. It really does make a difference.

I will also be sharing more content on my Buy Me a Coffee page – click the link below:

 

Buy Me A Coffee

John Wreford is a freelance photographer based in the Middle East, available for commercial and editorial photography assignments throughout Turkey, North Africa and the Middle East region.

Feel free to connect

Comments

263 responses to “A Bit About John Wreford”

  1. Gracefully Global Avatar
    Gracefully Global

    Looking forward to reading more!

  2. Elina Avatar

    Stunning photos, and super interesting texts. Will take some time to read more!

  3. whitefeatherfloating Avatar

    Your work reminded me of Dorothea Lange’s photography. 🙂

    1. johnwreford Avatar

      Wow Patsy that’s some comparison thank you.

      1. whitefeatherfloating Avatar

        You’re welcome, John.

  4. marilynaffolter Avatar
    marilynaffolter

    Very sensitive images. Beautiful work you are doing. Thank you for doing what you do.

    1. johnwreford Avatar

      Thank you Marllyn
      Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
      (Sorry I have just discovered a load of comments I have not relied too-apologies)

  5. dawnhirn Avatar

    I look forward to following your visual diary!

    1. johnwreford Avatar

      Thank you 🙂
      I hope you enjoy the journey
      .
      (Sorry I have just discovered a load of comments I have not relied too-apologies)

  6. Alec Harper Avatar
    Alec Harper

    Interesting photos and narrative… so sad to see the wonderful area being systematically destroyed. Wish I could continue exploring along the N. African coastline, the magnificent Roman ruins, other historical sites. Cheers

    1. johnwreford Avatar

      Thanks Alec
      Lets hope things improve soon.
      Fascinating part of the world to explore
      .
      (Sorry I have just discovered a load of comments I have not relied too-apologies for the slow response)

  7. victorialise Avatar
    victorialise

    Truly appreciate your work and expressions! Thank you for being here. -Tori

  8. ridingrio Avatar

    Thank you for liking my post “Rain”. I love your work and look forward to following your blog.

    1. johnwreford Avatar

      Thank you 🙂
      I hope you are doing ok?
      .
      (Sorry I have just discovered a load of comments I have not relied too-apologies for the slow response)

  9. George Avatar

    Hi John, thanks for liking my recent post, much appreciated from someone as talented as you.
    All the best

    1. johnwreford Avatar

      Thank you George
      Too kind 🙂
      .
      (Sorry I have just discovered a load of comments I have not relied too-apologies for the slow response)

  10. alibey Avatar

    Tx for dropping by blog!

    1. johnwreford Avatar

      Always a pleasure
      .
      (Sorry I have just discovered a load of comments I have not relied too-apologies for the slow response)

      1. alibey Avatar

        i read some more of your stories: the siwa one was very good, and the reference to the Horreya bar in Cairo was intriguing. What a place that is, or was! I take it you live in Istanbul now. Once I get a vaccine shot, I might go there in the Spring to take a look at some of famous mosques. I will drop you a line in a month or two or three, inshallah, to let you know of my plans, and perhaps we will end up finally meeting up. I no longer post in leavingamerika.com, but continue to describe my work on islamic patterns in zakrafa.design. cheers, ali

  11. searchingtosee Avatar

    Intriguing work… thanks for visiting. Emily

    1. johnwreford Avatar

      Thank you Emily
      .
      (Sorry I have just discovered a load of comments I have not relied too-apologies for the slow response)

  12. Patrick Jennings Avatar

    Exquisite photographs
    Arresting stories
    Killer blog

    And, by-the-bye, thanks for stopping by.

    1. johnwreford Avatar

      Thank you Patrick
      Your images are stunning-its always a pleasure
      .
      (Sorry I have just discovered a load of comments I have not relied too-apologies for the slow response)

      1. Patrick Jennings Avatar

        Thank you, John.

        And no worries. I find myself making a similar apology all too often. Thank you for making the effort now. 🙂

  13. Peter Adewumi Avatar
    Peter Adewumi

    Beautiful picture! I love it.

    1. johnwreford Avatar

      Thank you Peter-
      Very kind of you to say so
      .,
      (Sorry I have just discovered a load of comments I have not relied too-apologies for the slow response)

  14. yahyaburugu Avatar

    Hello John, Thank you for stopping by my post and inspiring with your images. Your most Welcome to Kenya!

    1. johnwreford Avatar

      Thank you 🙂
      Would love to be able to one day
      .
      (Sorry I have just discovered a load of comments I have not relied too-apologies for the slow response)

  15. Li Fontrodona Avatar

    Thanks for liking (and so, most probably, reading) my writing on my sis’ passing. I appreciate it much since only another person online ever liked it in fourteen months. Thanks dearly whoever you are ❤ ✨

    1. johnwreford Avatar

      I am very sorry for your loss.
      Some very touching words.
      I do find blog pages quite randomly-keep writing and the flame alive

  16. Glenn Lamb Avatar

    Hi John, thanks for liking my blog post on http://www.lambiestravels.com
    I’ve just read your post ‘My gay Adventures in the Middle East’ and very much enjoyed it. Look forward to following you. Cheers.

    1. johnwreford Avatar

      Thank you Glenn
      Glad you enjoyed it.
      .
      (Sorry I have just discovered a load of comments I have not relied too-apologies for the slow response)

  17. rheinsberg Avatar

    Hi,
    I found a link to this blog on Cheryl Bolens article about Jane Digby and of course it fascinated me – I live in Amman, having strong ties to Istanbul, too. So now I came to check out some of your wonderful pictures – I definitely cannot compete but maybe I can still learn some …

    1. johnwreford Avatar

      Hi Susanne
      Jane Digby was an interesting women to say the least.
      I love visiitng Amman-hoping to be back soon.
      Not sure if you spotted this
      http://roam-magazine.co/middle-east/streets-amman-jordan/
      .
      (Sorry I have just discovered a load of comments I have not relied too-apologies)

  18. susan@vawwonline Avatar
    susan@vawwonline

    Thanks, John, I’m glad you enjoyed my blog!

  19. Maja Pesic Avatar
    Maja Pesic

    I love your blog. One can find out a lot about the Middle East and also about you! I am happily spending my free time at work reading the experiences you have gone through, thus ‘travelling’ through the areas that you have visited, through your eyes.
    Thank you for beautiful photos and words. 💕💕

    1. johnwreford Avatar

      Thank you Maja
      I am happy to travel with you 🙂
      Do drop by again soon
      .
      (Sorry I have just discovered a load of comments I have not relied too-apologies)

  20. itsgoodtobecrazysometimes Avatar

    Thank you so much for liking a post. Hope you come back again soon

    Trina

    1. johnwreford Avatar

      My pleasure Trina 🙂

      ./
      (Sorry I have just discovered a load of comments I have not relied too-apologies)

      1. itsgoodtobecrazysometimes Avatar

        No problem, I do that often, normally in the spam file

  21. SaniMi Avatar

    Hello Sir. Thank you for your recent visit on my blog and for liking my post. It’s great that you did since I discovered your amazing blog. I love your pictures! 🙂

    1. johnwreford Avatar

      It was my pleasure and its a pleasure to have you visit my humble pages.
      Thank you so much and keep in tocuh Sunny 🙂
      ..
      (Sorry I have just discovered a load of comments I have not relied too-apologies)

  22. peter robinson Avatar

    I don’t know about “chequered past”… looks pretty impressive to me!

    1. johnwreford Avatar

      haha thank you Peter 🙂
      .
      (Sorry I have just discovered a load of comments I have not relied too-apologies)

      1. peter robinson Avatar

        No problem, John.

  23. Ranjan Avatar

    Great photography and attitude. keep it up. Thanks for visiting my blog.

    1. johnwreford Avatar

      Thank you so much Ranjan 🙂
      .
      .
      (Sorry I have just discovered a load of comments I have not replied too-apologies)

  24. Sue Thomas Avatar

    Thanks for liking my post about the 404 Podcast Experiment. I hope you enjoy the Bulgarian forest!

    1. johnwreford Avatar

      Thank you Sue 🙂
      I did indeed.
      .(So very sorry for not having replied sooner-I have just discovered a load of comments I had not replied too! )

  25. froody57 Avatar

    Hello, thanks for looking at my blog. So good to see someone who wants to communicate and not sell me stuff. Looking forward to reading some of your blogs and looking at your photos. I am an amateur photographer so love learning from professionals like you and seeing your work.

    1. johnwreford Avatar

      My pleasure 🙂
      Keep learning and keep shooting
      .
      (So very sorry for not having replied sooner-I have just discovered a load of comments I had not replied too! )

  26. Anna Avatar

    The Middle East and Balkans, my fave regions! Love your photography and can’t wait to explore more of your posts!

    1. johnwreford Avatar

      Thank you Anna
      Its a fascinating part of the world I think you will agree.
      Am glad you enjoyed Jordan-somewhere I am hoping to get back to soon-meanwhile if you scroll through the post index there are a couple from Jordan 🙂
      Take care

      1. Anna Avatar

        Thanks John. Will definitely check out your Jordan posts. I am sure your amazing photography will enhance his magical place even more!

  27. Tom Collins Avatar

    Nice blog John. Interesting observations and wonderful photos too. Thank you for sharing.
    Thank you Tom
    Was very interesting to read your post on Pannig for gold-something I am curious about in Bulgaria
    Panning for gold

    1. johnwreford Avatar

      Thank you Tom
      Hopefully I will have the chance to explore more in the future .
      .
      (So very sorry for not having replied sooner-I have just discovered a load of comments I had not replied too! )

  28. Lynne Avatar

    Thanks for sharing a world that isn’t so easy to access. Fascinating photography and insightful words. Now following your blog with great interest.

    1. johnwreford Avatar

      Thank you Lynne I really appreciate your comments and in complete awe of your illustrious writing career

    2. Jennifer Hochschild Avatar

      I enjoyed your story and look forward to reading more. I found myself wanting to follow in your footsteps, or cycle trails!
      Your photos are lovely and intriguing. I hope to see more.

      1. johnwreford Avatar

        Thank you Jennifer
        I hope you are enjoying the trails of Wisconsin
        ..
        (So very sorry for not having replied sooner-I have just discovered a load of comments I had not replied too! )

  29. Abandoned in Syria… John Wreford photographer | How my heart sings Avatar

    […] John’s Blog which I   put a link to   here   .               You can spend ages gazing on  his photographs […]

  30. rkrontheroad Avatar

    Beautiful writing and striking photos! Glad to have found your site.

    1. johnwreford Avatar

      Thank you so much Ruth
      I hope you have been able to enjoy adventures and go where you want
      ..
      (So very sorry for not having replied sooner-I have just discovered a load of comments I had not replied too! )

      John x

      1. rkrontheroad Avatar

        You are catching up, I see! And thanks so much for visiting my site (you have used my book title in your reply). I haven’t been traveling much these days of the pandemic, but rejuvenating some older stories that were on my previous website and after. Your stories of the middle east are fascinating.

  31. akhlis Avatar

    Love the work of art you display here. Keep posting, John. Cheers…

  32. donmatthewspoetry Avatar

    I’m sorry I can’t buy you a coffee John but I can pass on some advice from a bad experience I had with my coffee

    Warning To All Cappuccino Drinkers

  33. Anand Bose Avatar
    Anand Bose

    Dear John, An amazing picturesque photograph

  34. Between the shadows Avatar

    Istanbul! One of my favourite places. I envy you in a way for being able to live with this city everyday. I can see a lot of interesting writings mixed with the beautiful photos. I will be back the weekend to read more. Until then, Istanbul’a saygilar

    1. johnwreford Avatar

      Thank you.
      Yes, Istanbul is incredible-testing and challenging as much as interesting and exciting 🙂

  35. Jinjey Avatar
    Jinjey

    Hi, just discovered your blog since you liked a post of mine (thanks for that btw).
    I looked through it and instantly knew I had to follow. Very intriguing photography with such captivating posts. I’ll definitely be reading them from now on.

    1. johnwreford Avatar

      Thank you so much.
      So glad to have you onboard. I have followed you back, mainly as I want to know the the story behind the name and how you have managed your summer to-do list 🙂 Be different.

  36. Barefoot Boomer Travels Avatar

    Thank you for liking my post – I think photographers are my favorite people! Anyone who can tell a story so succinctly without words is amazing to me.

  37. Dalo 2013 Avatar

    “I find art, in one form or another to be the answer to everything….” Whenever life flips one way or another, there is always art and creativity to set things right in my mind and keep moving forward. I’ve admired your site over the years, taking another view as I prepare for my travels to Jordan in December. Your writing and photos are inspirational.

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