John Dominis

A tribute to the late, great Life photographer

John Dominis passed away peacefully on December 30, 2013. By his side was his partner of more than three decades, artist Evelyn Floret. The renowned photo-journalist passed away at their home following complications from emergency bypass surgery a year earlier.

This website has been set up by Evelyn Floret, at the suggestion of Mike Maple. It is here so that his friends and admirers can sign his guestbook and share their memories of this extraordinary man. He may be remembered through his prolific work, which may be found through the links on the His Work and Obituaries page(s).

Please use the Guestbookย  section below to share your thoughts/post comments about John. The notes posted here prior to his passing were most meaningful to him and those posted now are meaningful to those who were close to him.

Guestbook

John was a great inspiration to many in the creative community. If you count yourself among them and care to share a link to your website, John would be proud to offer a link to it from this site. Photos may be manually added in your guestbook message by the administrator, if you would please send them as email attachments to Evelyn at evelyn@sculpturezone.com. Please also use that email address, should you have any other problem pertaining to this website.

Thank you for your support.

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102 entries.
Neile McQueen wrote on May 22, 2017 at 6:04 pm
Sun, 5 January 2014 02:45:55 +0000

Dear Evelyn,

I am so sorry to hear of John's passing. I just found out by way of Paris. It must have happened while I was on my flight home.

He was the sweetest man. The one thing that always stands out in my mind is the big album John gave Steve and me of the fabulous photos he took of us in 1963. I'm so happy that I was at least able to see him two years ago and had that contact with him because of the German Coffee Table book that Bob Adelman put together this past year. Hopefully it will be published here.

Take care and God bless. Neile McQueen
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Geir lillemark wrote on May 22, 2017 at 6:03 pm
Sat, 4 January 2014 13:09:55 +0000

One of the giants has fallen. John Dominis took the pictures that made me take my choice, to become a photographer. RIP.
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Sid and Michelle Monroe wrote on May 22, 2017 at 6:03 pm
Fri, 3 January 2014 21:03:00 +0000

We send our deepest condolences to all of John's family. John was truly one of the greatest photographers that we had the pleasure of know and showing in our gallery, and moreover he was an extraordinary human being.

We will endeavor to help the world remember, and in the future, discover, John by his wonderful legacy of photographs.

Sid and Michelle
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Charles Pascale wrote on May 22, 2017 at 6:03 pm
Fri, 3 January 2014 20:54:09 +0000

John and his fellow Life Photographers fed my passion for photography, which continues still...at age 67. Further, my two daughters are skilled photographers, and still take the "old dog" to photo exhibits in NYC. The well executed, balanced photo still moves without drama. cp
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DAVID JOEL wrote on May 22, 2017 at 6:03 pm
Fri, 3 January 2014 13:52:05 +0000

My condolences to John's family. I am YALE JOEL's son and met John the year before Yale died in 2006.
Looking through his photos the last few days has been a marvelous experience-- reminding me of the extraordinary world these Life Magazine photographers live in. John was... one of the last.
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Nick Khazal wrote on May 22, 2017 at 6:02 pm
Thu, 2 January 2014 19:50:41 +0000

What an amazing body of work and visual narrative! Thank you for sharing with the rest of us. You'll be missed by many and forgotten by none.
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Jeff Barger wrote on May 22, 2017 at 6:02 pm
Thu, 2 January 2014 17:02:54 +0000

I met John when he was speaking at the school I learned photography at (Milwaukee Area Technical College)a few years ago. I graduated back in 1979 and have been making a living with my cameras since then. When I heard he was coming to speak at MATC, I cleared my calendar so I could attend. I really enjoyed hearing him speak, and talked with him after his presentation. He was a pleasure to speak with, and was inspiring to me. I have a great deal of respect for John, and wish his family well. He will be missed by many.
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Robin Leavitt Melen wrote on May 22, 2017 at 6:02 pm
Wed, 1 January 2014 23:20:26 +0000

I was lucky enough to grow up with John and his family in my life. He worked with my dad, Scot, on Life magazine, and they were very close friends. John was such a presence in his quiet, strong way. The stories they told, the lives they lived ... There was nothing like Life magazine and its team of writers and editors. There was a special bond. Godspeed, John. Love to the family.
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Manny Millan wrote on May 22, 2017 at 6:01 pm
Wed, 1 January 2014 16:55:37 +0000

Dear Evelyn,

I am deeply saddened to hear of John's passing. John was much more than my mentor and good friend,
he was a huge inspiration to all photographer's and much admired by all who were fortunate to have known him as a person. His wonderful storytelling, wit and charm will be missed.

Can you please keep me posted as to funeral arrangements and/or memorial for John.

Manny Millan
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Castel Ortiz wrote on May 22, 2017 at 6:01 pm
Wed, 1 January 2014 05:15:40 +0000

I am remembering being at the top of the Empire State Building and having it all to ourselves after the opening night party for Young Frankenstein. Just one of the many special moments I've shared with you and Evelyn. I am privileged to call you my friend. A true Renaissance Man, you will be sorely missedโ€ฆ

Castel
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Cynthia Hurwitz wrote on May 22, 2017 at 6:01 pm
Wed, 1 January 2014 05:03:34 +0000

I am among the very fortunate people who was honored to meet John as a man and a loving family friend. Thank you John for taking us on journeys that we would never have had the opportunity to enjoy.
Thank you for loving our wonderful Evie.
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Dino Romano wrote on May 22, 2017 at 6:00 pm
Tue, 31 December 2013 23:41:50 +0000

What a loss. But what he added to our lives, his photos and insight, will always be here to do what he intended; open minds, elucidate, educate
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Paula Lauren Gibson wrote on May 22, 2017 at 6:00 pm
Tue, 31 December 2013 17:34:35 +0000

Your photographs were awesome and inspiring. Thanks for sharing your wonderful talent!
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George Tiedemann wrote on May 22, 2017 at 6:00 pm
Fri, 6 December 2013 19:16:15 +0000

John, I would like to thank you for all you did to help me in my career at Sports Illustrated. You took the time to critique my errors and compliment success in a very professional manor. Your kindness is something I will never forget. Hopefully, one of these days, we can grab a cup of coffee in your neighborhood and properly thank you for all you did for me and my family. God bless you.
George Tiedemann
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Andre Allen wrote on May 22, 2017 at 5:59 pm
Thu, 31 October 2013 16:52:47 +0000

Mr. Dominis,

While surfing the internet, I stumbled across the priceless photographs you took of my father, the late MSG Grover C. Allen, Sr, and his Army company during the Korean War in March of 1951. "Operation Kapers" traveled the front lines, performing for their fellow troops during austere conditions. My father often talked about his service in Korea, but your photographs provided great insight as to what my father experienced. Sadly, my father passed away in 2006 and did not have a chance to see your photos, but they brought great joy to myself and my five siblings. Your photographs revealed a side of our father that we never otherwise would have had the chance to see. We thank you for that.

God bless, and I wish you a speedy recovery.

Andre Allen
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Kong wrote on May 22, 2017 at 5:59 pm
Thu, 12 September 2013 21:17:18 +0000

Dear John:
You donโ€™t know me, but Iโ€™m so grateful to you. My father was among one of the Meotribe men, youโ€™ve captured with your camera on that day May of 1961, in Padong Laos. It was during the Vietnam War, and life in Laos was still unknown to the world. But it was you who capture him in time. It is our only photograph of my father during that time. He now has passed, and I am forever grateful to you for being there for us and make us a part of your life. Youโ€™re already in the best of hands. God has you in his hands from the very beginning. May God continue to watch over you and may you live your life to the fullest and when the time come, I know you will go home to him as hero. In the world of hero, the only two heroes I knew are you and my father. Who was very much like you, he was never too afraid to live.

Much love,
Kong
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Johan Jo wrote on May 22, 2017 at 5:59 pm
Wed, 11 September 2013 06:20:08 +0000

Dear John,
Many Koreans remember you and your great photo works.
As one of Korean photograpers, I wish you get well soon and visit Korea for the LIFE PHOTO EXHIBITION.
I will keep you in my prayers
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Sydney Williams wrote on May 22, 2017 at 5:58 pm
Tue, 3 September 2013 07:20:11 +0000

Dear john,

I often think of our days (and evenings) in Vail, with Bud, Helen, Bill and Hank, and the way you would charge the slopes. This past winter I was unable to get there because of a back problem, but I should be able to make it this year.

Only today did I discover you had been ill, of which I was sorry to hear, but I am pleased you are at home recovering.

Get well soon, as we are all counting on you. The very best,
Sydney
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Frederic Haguenauer wrote on May 22, 2017 at 5:58 pm
Wed, 21 August 2013 17:11:55 +0000

Hello Mr. Dominis, I am a French photographer who admires your photos for 30 years. Today, thanks to the internet, I can finally tell you all how much I admire your work, and I think that a man who makes as wonderful pictures can be humanly admirable.
I wish you still long and good life. Frederic.
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Art Meripol wrote on May 22, 2017 at 5:57 pm
Wed, 7 August 2013 22:53:02 +0000

John, I hope you're better. I am a pro photographer, worked 25 years for Time Warner magazines. Just recently I discovered you and my dad went to high school together at Freemont High. I had know of, admired and envied your work for years so this was a fun discovery. My dad is Robert (Bob) Meripol. I know that was a long time ago. My dad is going strong still. I hope you are doing every bit as well.

My sincere best and thanks for all the great moments you captured and shared.
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