Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, USA. John Amodeo began his interest in photography while majoring in International Relations at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. Between 1977 and 1979, he spent a total of six months traveling around the world capturing images in Mexico, Italy, Egypt, Israel, India, Nepal, Hong Kong, Republic of China (Taiwan), and Japan.

Specializing in wildlife and nature photography, John worked as a freelance photographer for The American newspaper in Beltrami County, MN. His first cover photo of nesting immature bald eagles in appeared in The American in July, 1993 under federal permit. His second cover photo featured the Minnesota state bird, the loon, in a Minnesota 1984 Area Vacation Guide. Other images from Japan and Minnesota were published in custom mural catalogues and calendars for art décor agencies. Some of those images now appear in US embassies worldwide.

From 1983 to 1987, John managed portrait photographers and sales staff in MN, ND, SD, WI, and IA for a Matthews NC based portrait company, Photo Corporation of America. John concentrated on studio portrait photography during this period with PCA International.

John’s commercial business portfolio includes retailers, manufacturers, tourism departments, insurance companies, staffing companies, construction firms, resort customers, and politicians. His wedding photography business has continued since 1984.  John resides in Prior Lake, Minnesota.

John uses Nikon digital cameras (D200), medium format Hasselblad equipment and Sony Digital Handycam DCR-VX2000 for video work.  The Fuji G617 is used for those medium format wide angle photos you see on European calendars.  Video editing is done with Adobe Premiere Pro.

Current Projects: In addition to servicing wedding and commercial clients, John is currently working on his first photographic book of Swiss castles and scenic panoramas from all regions of Switzerland. The book should be published within the next two years. He has also produced a promotional video from his travels to Tanzania and Uganda with InFOCUS and Compassion International.  John's photograpic travels continue with Compassion International in 2008 and 2009 to Indonesia and Peru.

"Photographing images in possibly the most beautiful country in the world: easy! Learning to speak Swiss/German: not easy!"