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 Guestbook 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.
102 entries.
Sun, 18 November 2012 14:40:58 +0000
Hi John, lots of love to you. I was thinking about you just recently and looking for your work on line, so I am glad to find these links. I still remember stumbling around the site of the Woodstock festival 20 years later with Bill Eppridge trying to duplicate some of your pictures.
Hope you feel better real soon. Claudia
Hi John, lots of love to you. I was thinking about you just recently and looking for your work on line, so I am glad to find these links. I still remember stumbling around the site of the Woodstock festival 20 years later with Bill Eppridge trying to duplicate some of your pictures.
Hope you feel better real soon. Claudia
Sun, 18 November 2012 11:38:46 +0000
John was always the calm in the always chaotic photo department in the early days at PEOPLE.
Even better was the wonderful chili he made for our first Christmas party. What a party! John, you are in my prayers and heart and I look forward to seeing you at a TLAS luncheon.
Joy Wansley
John was always the calm in the always chaotic photo department in the early days at PEOPLE.
Even better was the wonderful chili he made for our first Christmas party. What a party! John, you are in my prayers and heart and I look forward to seeing you at a TLAS luncheon.
Joy Wansley
Fri, 16 November 2012 23:04:10 +0000
Dear John,
I was so sorry to hear from Dori that you are in the hospital. I have been following your progress through Dori and hear that you are making great strides in your recovery. I know you are a fighter as has been seen through the many challenges you have surmounted throughout your long and fascinating life and brilliant career as a photographer. I know you can do it, John! I am keeping you close in my thoughts and prayers and sending all good wishes your way for a complete and speedy recovery.
Love,
Gael Mooney
Dear John,
I was so sorry to hear from Dori that you are in the hospital. I have been following your progress through Dori and hear that you are making great strides in your recovery. I know you are a fighter as has been seen through the many challenges you have surmounted throughout your long and fascinating life and brilliant career as a photographer. I know you can do it, John! I am keeping you close in my thoughts and prayers and sending all good wishes your way for a complete and speedy recovery.
Love,
Gael Mooney
Fri, 16 November 2012 15:17:50 +0000
Dear John,
I'm sorry sorry to hear the news about you being so sick. I love you Johnny and pray that you recover quickly. You've been the youngest 90+ person I've ever known.
My thoughts, prayers and best wishes are with you John right now..... You've been one of my hero's for many, many years..........I can 't wait to see you once you're allowed to have visitors.
Love,
Neil
Dear John,
I'm sorry sorry to hear the news about you being so sick. I love you Johnny and pray that you recover quickly. You've been the youngest 90+ person I've ever known.
My thoughts, prayers and best wishes are with you John right now..... You've been one of my hero's for many, many years..........I can 't wait to see you once you're allowed to have visitors.
Love,
Neil
Fri, 16 November 2012 14:47:28 +0000
John, just wanted to let you know that I spent yesterday with your photographs of Hawaii. You must have been there for a big job. I think you covered the whole island both above and below the water. It's a vicarious vacation for me. But don't think I spent the whole day in Hawaii--every once in a while I'd find some beautiful shots of the most pristine snow in Alaska. You could almost hear the wind blowing.
And I also found your shoot in China for Fortune which was amazing. It's a different country now.
I'm taking today off to enjoy a beautiful day. I hope each day finds you stronger and stronger.
Much love, MC
John, just wanted to let you know that I spent yesterday with your photographs of Hawaii. You must have been there for a big job. I think you covered the whole island both above and below the water. It's a vicarious vacation for me. But don't think I spent the whole day in Hawaii--every once in a while I'd find some beautiful shots of the most pristine snow in Alaska. You could almost hear the wind blowing.
And I also found your shoot in China for Fortune which was amazing. It's a different country now.
I'm taking today off to enjoy a beautiful day. I hope each day finds you stronger and stronger.
Much love, MC
Fri, 16 November 2012 13:21:37 +0000
Hi, Dad, it's Paul,
I remember one of our trips to Puerto Rico. I don't know how you figured it out, but we drove across the whole island to go to Rincon hoping to find a surf spot. We found it down past some sugar cane and open fields. It was the greatest point break, and we spent a good long time surfing there. You had lent me a waterproof camera, and I still remember a shot I took with the lens pointing down the wave's barrel, half in and half out of the water-just like the pros. I was quite proud of that. If you Google Rincon, P.R., you'll find pictures of a big hotel right on that break where we were the only ones.
I love you,
Paul
Hi, Dad, it's Paul,
I remember one of our trips to Puerto Rico. I don't know how you figured it out, but we drove across the whole island to go to Rincon hoping to find a surf spot. We found it down past some sugar cane and open fields. It was the greatest point break, and we spent a good long time surfing there. You had lent me a waterproof camera, and I still remember a shot I took with the lens pointing down the wave's barrel, half in and half out of the water-just like the pros. I was quite proud of that. If you Google Rincon, P.R., you'll find pictures of a big hotel right on that break where we were the only ones.
I love you,
Paul
Fri, 16 November 2012 12:14:04 +0000
Dear John,
Gigi and I hope you will be up and about in no time. You need to show these young photographers a thing or two. We send our best wishes for your complete recovery. You are a great photographer and a great person.
I hope to see you very soon to talk about old times.
Harry Benson
Dear John,
Gigi and I hope you will be up and about in no time. You need to show these young photographers a thing or two. We send our best wishes for your complete recovery. You are a great photographer and a great person.
I hope to see you very soon to talk about old times.
Harry Benson
Thu, 15 November 2012 16:44:21 +0000
John:
I miss you and being able to ask you my million questions about your favorites...please have a complete and quick recovery...we need you BACK!!! Hugs and kisses and tons of love--Regina
John:
I miss you and being able to ask you my million questions about your favorites...please have a complete and quick recovery...we need you BACK!!! Hugs and kisses and tons of love--Regina
Wed, 14 November 2012 19:30:18 +0000
Dear John:
You've been so generous with your time over the years coming to the office. It's always a pleasure to see you and your tremendous work. You are in my thoughts. Get well soon.
With warm wishes,
Amy
Dear John:
You've been so generous with your time over the years coming to the office. It's always a pleasure to see you and your tremendous work. You are in my thoughts. Get well soon.
With warm wishes,
Amy
Wed, 14 November 2012 19:20:31 +0000
John....Rooting for you, and know you will recover. It remains one of my fondest memories, the day I was allowed to come up and visit you at People, as a truly young pup photog, untried and untested. The fact that you spent time with a young shooter, offering counsel and wisdom as only you could speaks volumes about you as a person, mentor, friend, and photog. I see your work, every day, on my wall at home-the Mick throwing his helmet. It reminds me all the time of the amazing body of work you amassed, and how photographers everywhere have aspired to do better work because of the benchmark of excellence you set. Hang in, and Burnett and I have dibs on a date with you and the espresso machine....best, Joe
John....Rooting for you, and know you will recover. It remains one of my fondest memories, the day I was allowed to come up and visit you at People, as a truly young pup photog, untried and untested. The fact that you spent time with a young shooter, offering counsel and wisdom as only you could speaks volumes about you as a person, mentor, friend, and photog. I see your work, every day, on my wall at home-the Mick throwing his helmet. It reminds me all the time of the amazing body of work you amassed, and how photographers everywhere have aspired to do better work because of the benchmark of excellence you set. Hang in, and Burnett and I have dibs on a date with you and the espresso machine....best, Joe
Wed, 14 November 2012 15:52:19 +0000
John, I of course think of you every day, many times a day as I go through your incredible archive. I am having the time of my life, looking at your work, organizing it into all the zillions of stories you worked on not only for LIFE but after LIFE. It is a dream project as you really don't take any bad photographs. Even the outtakes from the Cats of Africa are incredible. I am forever sharing with the people from the Picture Collection, i.e., Did you ever see this one of the leopard?" And the Appalachia story you did is so moving. And then you move on a do a Steve McQueen profile which has to be one of the great celebrity stories shot for LIFE. Not a bad picture in it. Evelyn might have told you that I now have the lunch counter full of cowboy extras (each with a cowboy hat on) and the one lone Indian standing, waiting for a place at the counter. It's not a political picture. It's just a great behind the scenes photo. The whole story again is one of the great behind the scenes look at the movie industry. And they go on and on. I even love the Italian cookbook photos. That green lasagna that we discussed will be made one day in my kitchen. I could go on forever. You know that I love you because you are such an incredible photographer, because you hired me at PEOPLE when I was just starting out in journalism, and mainly because you are such a wonderful man. Get better. I want to see you!
Much love, MC
John, I of course think of you every day, many times a day as I go through your incredible archive. I am having the time of my life, looking at your work, organizing it into all the zillions of stories you worked on not only for LIFE but after LIFE. It is a dream project as you really don't take any bad photographs. Even the outtakes from the Cats of Africa are incredible. I am forever sharing with the people from the Picture Collection, i.e., Did you ever see this one of the leopard?" And the Appalachia story you did is so moving. And then you move on a do a Steve McQueen profile which has to be one of the great celebrity stories shot for LIFE. Not a bad picture in it. Evelyn might have told you that I now have the lunch counter full of cowboy extras (each with a cowboy hat on) and the one lone Indian standing, waiting for a place at the counter. It's not a political picture. It's just a great behind the scenes photo. The whole story again is one of the great behind the scenes look at the movie industry. And they go on and on. I even love the Italian cookbook photos. That green lasagna that we discussed will be made one day in my kitchen. I could go on forever. You know that I love you because you are such an incredible photographer, because you hired me at PEOPLE when I was just starting out in journalism, and mainly because you are such a wonderful man. Get better. I want to see you!
Much love, MC
Wed, 14 November 2012 05:06:58 +0000
John:
Wishing you the best for a speedy recovery. Such an honor to have you be a part of my Behind Photographs project. Get well soon! Sending you warm wishes from California.
Tim Mantoani
John:
Wishing you the best for a speedy recovery. Such an honor to have you be a part of my Behind Photographs project. Get well soon! Sending you warm wishes from California.
Tim Mantoani
Wed, 14 November 2012 01:33:00 +0000
Your photographs helped me learn to see and understand. Thank you
Your photographs helped me learn to see and understand. Thank you
Tue, 13 November 2012 23:14:34 +0000
Hi Uncle John,
I hear you are in the hospital, but making some nice progress. You are in my thoughts, and I'm sending you warm, healing thoughts and keeping you in my prayers as well.
I hope each hour that goes by you continue to show progress, and most importantly, that you feel good and comfortable.
Thank you to Sarah and Evelyn for their support in getting the word out that we could write to you. And, as always, Cousin Mary, for spreading the word to the Sevillas as well.
Love & hugs to you, Uncle John. Love,
Caprice
Hi Uncle John,
I hear you are in the hospital, but making some nice progress. You are in my thoughts, and I'm sending you warm, healing thoughts and keeping you in my prayers as well.
I hope each hour that goes by you continue to show progress, and most importantly, that you feel good and comfortable.
Thank you to Sarah and Evelyn for their support in getting the word out that we could write to you. And, as always, Cousin Mary, for spreading the word to the Sevillas as well.
Love & hugs to you, Uncle John. Love,
Caprice
Tue, 13 November 2012 21:41:11 +0000
Dear John:
We have been thinking about you, and so many of your friends and colleagues have inquired at the gallery about you. It is an honor and a privilege to exhibit your tremendous legacy of photographs. Please get well soon!!
Sid and Michelle Monroe
Dear John:
We have been thinking about you, and so many of your friends and colleagues have inquired at the gallery about you. It is an honor and a privilege to exhibit your tremendous legacy of photographs. Please get well soon!!
Sid and Michelle Monroe
Tue, 13 November 2012 19:50:20 +0000
John, the term Renaissance Man was invented for you. I look forward to seeing you again soon, my dear friend... Castel
John, the term Renaissance Man was invented for you. I look forward to seeing you again soon, my dear friend... Castel
Tue, 13 November 2012 15:41:58 +0000
Family is a wonder we grow up from a child with memories of Family that we keep in our hearts, as we grow we remember the people that always impressed us with the love and talent they have. They also have made a difference in many lives with the accomplishments they have made. John glad you are getting better! Love to all and God Bless Steve Sevilla
Family is a wonder we grow up from a child with memories of Family that we keep in our hearts, as we grow we remember the people that always impressed us with the love and talent they have. They also have made a difference in many lives with the accomplishments they have made. John glad you are getting better! Love to all and God Bless Steve Sevilla
Admin Reply:
John Dominis (foreground, right) and Mark Kaufman demonstrate how to have fun at the Hermosa Beach Pier in 1939.
Tue, 13 November 2012 06:16:59 +0000
My favorite memory of Uncle John was when he played the game Twister with us youngsters in the front room of our old victorian house at the 1966 Christmas in Ferndale. He was so famous and he was the only adult to get down an dirty with us on the floor.
I always looked forward to life magazine arriving in the mail in case he had photos in it. Good luck Uncle! I wish I had known you better when I reached adulthood.
My favorite memory of Uncle John was when he played the game Twister with us youngsters in the front room of our old victorian house at the 1966 Christmas in Ferndale. He was so famous and he was the only adult to get down an dirty with us on the floor.
I always looked forward to life magazine arriving in the mail in case he had photos in it. Good luck Uncle! I wish I had known you better when I reached adulthood.
Tue, 13 November 2012 06:10:27 +0000
John -
Your photography is a precious art form that many strive to perfect throughout their lives and may not ever achieve. You are a true inspiration to all that have had the pleasure of viewing your work. The forever moments captured in your photography will continue to intrigue and motivate for years to come.
Prayers, love, and good vibes for a speedy recovery.
Julie Sevilla
(3rd or 4th cousin)
John -
Your photography is a precious art form that many strive to perfect throughout their lives and may not ever achieve. You are a true inspiration to all that have had the pleasure of viewing your work. The forever moments captured in your photography will continue to intrigue and motivate for years to come.
Prayers, love, and good vibes for a speedy recovery.
Julie Sevilla
(3rd or 4th cousin)
Mon, 12 November 2012 17:22:47 +0000
John,
Shoshana and I are thinking about you John, and wish you a full and speedy recovery. We've had so many great dinners together with you and Evelyn but our evening at "Per Se" topped them all.
Just thinking about it still gives Shoshana and me a severe case of instantaneous Gout. It was , by far, the greatest culinary extravaganza of our life and also the most expensive we might add. (The following morning we promptly sold half our stock portfolio)... In retrospect, I guess it's fair to say that we went a bit overboard by selecting the Chef's 9-course tasting event instead of the simpler 3-course menu-- but it seemed so do'able at the time, and the four of us love and admire great food... We started the feast with Evelyn's favorite champagne and then proceeded to experience a nine course dinner with nine paired wines for every dish. I specifically recall Shoshana and Evelyn giggling after the 5th glass of wine...To add insult to injury, we adventurously added foie gras and truffles as essential supplements....Now, that might have been considered a bit excessive by some, but we were "on a roll" that evening and The Devil be Damned.... For lack of a better name, I have subsequently referred to that special night as our "The King Louis XVI Pigout." Yes, it might have been a tad expensive, but your and Evelyn's company, scintillating conversation on all sorts of subjects, and the wonderful food and wine was worth every euro--even if the four of us were subsequently a bit "ill" from the over-indulgence. And, after all, we did get an autographed menu from the chef for having survived the experience.
Fondly,
David and Shoshana Sonnenberg
John,
Shoshana and I are thinking about you John, and wish you a full and speedy recovery. We've had so many great dinners together with you and Evelyn but our evening at "Per Se" topped them all.
Just thinking about it still gives Shoshana and me a severe case of instantaneous Gout. It was , by far, the greatest culinary extravaganza of our life and also the most expensive we might add. (The following morning we promptly sold half our stock portfolio)... In retrospect, I guess it's fair to say that we went a bit overboard by selecting the Chef's 9-course tasting event instead of the simpler 3-course menu-- but it seemed so do'able at the time, and the four of us love and admire great food... We started the feast with Evelyn's favorite champagne and then proceeded to experience a nine course dinner with nine paired wines for every dish. I specifically recall Shoshana and Evelyn giggling after the 5th glass of wine...To add insult to injury, we adventurously added foie gras and truffles as essential supplements....Now, that might have been considered a bit excessive by some, but we were "on a roll" that evening and The Devil be Damned.... For lack of a better name, I have subsequently referred to that special night as our "The King Louis XVI Pigout." Yes, it might have been a tad expensive, but your and Evelyn's company, scintillating conversation on all sorts of subjects, and the wonderful food and wine was worth every euro--even if the four of us were subsequently a bit "ill" from the over-indulgence. And, after all, we did get an autographed menu from the chef for having survived the experience.
Fondly,
David and Shoshana Sonnenberg