The former monk turned photographer, joSon, did not begin his pursuit into art from the start. During his childhood, he thought his calling in life was to become a monk and joined a monastery at a young age. Living in post-war Vietnam while being a Buddhist monk was no simple feat. As poverty and chaos ensued, he spent his teen years learning the ancient Buddhist art of meditation.
With a battered camera given to him by his mother, joSon taught himself the fine art of photography, while inside the monastery. Recognizing his gifts belonged elsewhere, the spiritual teachers gently ordered him to leave the monastery completely. At the age of eighteen, he found his way to California, overtaken by American culture and the abundance of art. After enrolling at Lake Tahoe Community College, joSon eventually transferred to San Francisco, where he completed his MFA in photography at San Francisco’s Academy of Art University. His career in photography then began to take off.
Decades later, joSon’s photographs are featured in galleries and private collections worldwide. His work as a commercial photographer is in constant demand from Fortune 500 corporations, five-star hotels, and elite travel magazines globally. His signature photographs are included in his book, “Intimate Portraits of Nature.” As an ode to flowers, from gardens and greenhouses, it showcases the beauty of nature. Following the notion that nature is an important source for daily inspiration whether you are an artist or not, joSon’s images of flowers bring him a sense of tranquility. In the featured image above, flower #18 (left) and flower #2 (right) are displayed.
