John Toolan

Director Of Photography at Popular Science
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Summit, New Jersey, United States, JE
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5.0

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Corinne Iozzio

When John stepped into to take over photo direction at Popular Science, I knew instantly we were in good hands. Organized, creative, and thoughtful, he's the exact type of collaborator a publication needs to deliver impactful visuals that bring stories to life. Rarely have I seen someone with his ability to deliver amazing photographs in the face of myriad challenges, be they budgetary, logistical, or deadline-driven. John will get the shot. Full stop.

Russ Smith

I had the pleasure and privilege of working with John at a number of titles. During our time together he was thrown a number of different challenges and was able to handle them in an exemplary manner. No matter the assignment (food, still life, portrait, or reportage,) no matter the audience (tech/outdoor/young/old/diverse etc.) and no matter the budget John always came up with the right person for the job. In planning, he was always ready with ideas as well as open to collaboration and always a welcome asset on set. He helped foster a number of continued relationships with various amazing photographers that helped maintain an exciting visual brand. He kept us on or often under budget without sacrificing anything quality. Most importantly he was able to do all this with an unflappable grace that kept the workplace stress free. He would make an exceptionable and welcome member to any team.

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Experience

    • United States
    • Book and Periodical Publishing
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Director Of Photography
      • Feb 2020 - Nov 2023

      I took this role on in addition to my existing responsibilities as photo director of Field & Stream and Outdoor Life. I was a one-person photo department, which included conceptualizing, coordinating with editorial and design teams, budget management, research, hiring photographers, finding new talent, interacting with agencies, negotiating fees and contracts, and seeing every project through from initial discussions to final high-resolution files. I was part of the team that won a 2022 ASME… Show more I took this role on in addition to my existing responsibilities as photo director of Field & Stream and Outdoor Life. I was a one-person photo department, which included conceptualizing, coordinating with editorial and design teams, budget management, research, hiring photographers, finding new talent, interacting with agencies, negotiating fees and contracts, and seeing every project through from initial discussions to final high-resolution files. I was part of the team that won a 2022 ASME award for single-topic issue. Show less I took this role on in addition to my existing responsibilities as photo director of Field & Stream and Outdoor Life. I was a one-person photo department, which included conceptualizing, coordinating with editorial and design teams, budget management, research, hiring photographers, finding new talent, interacting with agencies, negotiating fees and contracts, and seeing every project through from initial discussions to final high-resolution files. I was part of the team that won a 2022 ASME… Show more I took this role on in addition to my existing responsibilities as photo director of Field & Stream and Outdoor Life. I was a one-person photo department, which included conceptualizing, coordinating with editorial and design teams, budget management, research, hiring photographers, finding new talent, interacting with agencies, negotiating fees and contracts, and seeing every project through from initial discussions to final high-resolution files. I was part of the team that won a 2022 ASME award for single-topic issue. Show less

    • Director Of Photography
      • Aug 2011 - Nov 2023

      I handled every aspect of photography for both iconic outdoor brands, including coordinating with editors, writers and designers, managing budgets and contracts, fee negotiation, location scouting, hiring talent for all projects, existing image research, managing an extensive prop collection and growing a roster of outstanding photographers. I worked extensively with portraiture, documentary, still life, wildlife, outdoor/adventure and conceptual photographers. I created a budget tracking… Show more I handled every aspect of photography for both iconic outdoor brands, including coordinating with editors, writers and designers, managing budgets and contracts, fee negotiation, location scouting, hiring talent for all projects, existing image research, managing an extensive prop collection and growing a roster of outstanding photographers. I worked extensively with portraiture, documentary, still life, wildlife, outdoor/adventure and conceptual photographers. I created a budget tracking system that streamlined planning and expenses for all editorial departments. I explained the intricacies of hunting and fishing to many talented photographers who've never held a bow or wet a line, and made sure every image was authentic, accurate and on-brand. I was a key member of the Field & Stream team that won the 2014 ASME General Excellence award for Active Interest Magazines. Show less I handled every aspect of photography for both iconic outdoor brands, including coordinating with editors, writers and designers, managing budgets and contracts, fee negotiation, location scouting, hiring talent for all projects, existing image research, managing an extensive prop collection and growing a roster of outstanding photographers. I worked extensively with portraiture, documentary, still life, wildlife, outdoor/adventure and conceptual photographers. I created a budget tracking… Show more I handled every aspect of photography for both iconic outdoor brands, including coordinating with editors, writers and designers, managing budgets and contracts, fee negotiation, location scouting, hiring talent for all projects, existing image research, managing an extensive prop collection and growing a roster of outstanding photographers. I worked extensively with portraiture, documentary, still life, wildlife, outdoor/adventure and conceptual photographers. I created a budget tracking system that streamlined planning and expenses for all editorial departments. I explained the intricacies of hunting and fishing to many talented photographers who've never held a bow or wet a line, and made sure every image was authentic, accurate and on-brand. I was a key member of the Field & Stream team that won the 2014 ASME General Excellence award for Active Interest Magazines. Show less

    • Egypt
    • Human Resources
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Freelance Photo Editor
      • Jan 2021 - Mar 2022

      Clients have included The New York Times, Vanity Fair, Entertainment Weekly, Fortune, Inc., Newsweek, Maxim, Men’s Fitness, Life, Time Inc. Content Solutions, ESPN's The Undefeated and Story Worldwide. Jobs have taken place at various stages through my career starting in January 2005 and continued up through March 2022. Clients have included The New York Times, Vanity Fair, Entertainment Weekly, Fortune, Inc., Newsweek, Maxim, Men’s Fitness, Life, Time Inc. Content Solutions, ESPN's The Undefeated and Story Worldwide. Jobs have taken place at various stages through my career starting in January 2005 and continued up through March 2022.

    • Book and Periodical Publishing
    • 300 - 400 Employee
    • Photo Editor
      • Jan 2010 - Jul 2011

      I worked in the celebrity group. My assignment was to produce cover and feature shoots and conduct research. I worked with publicists, hired grooming and styling talent, secured studios and locations, handled permits, managed budgets, and negotiated fees and contracts--all while staying up-to-date on who was winning Dancing With the Stars. I worked in the celebrity group. My assignment was to produce cover and feature shoots and conduct research. I worked with publicists, hired grooming and styling talent, secured studios and locations, handled permits, managed budgets, and negotiated fees and contracts--all while staying up-to-date on who was winning Dancing With the Stars.

    • Deputy Photo Editor/Contributing Senior Photo Editor
      • Aug 2007 - May 2009

      I joined Conde Nast's fledgling business publication a few months into its existence. Starting as a freelancer and working my way up to deputy photo editor, I managed a staff of eight, coordinated story solutions with the edit and design departments, produced cover and feature shoots, conducted research, negotiated fees, hired grooming and styling talent, secured studios and locations, facilitated permits and managed budgets. I joined Conde Nast's fledgling business publication a few months into its existence. Starting as a freelancer and working my way up to deputy photo editor, I managed a staff of eight, coordinated story solutions with the edit and design departments, produced cover and feature shoots, conducted research, negotiated fees, hired grooming and styling talent, secured studios and locations, facilitated permits and managed budgets.

    • Wellness and Fitness Services
    • Contributing Photo Editor
      • Dec 2005 - Aug 2006

      I produced cover and feature shoots, managed front-of-the book sections, hired styling and grooming talent, conducted model castings, secured locations, coordinated with publicists, negotiated fees and contracts. I also ate a lot of almonds and came to realize my abs were really lousy. During a shoot, the musician/actor Common complimented me on my ability to come up with good poses. I produced cover and feature shoots, managed front-of-the book sections, hired styling and grooming talent, conducted model castings, secured locations, coordinated with publicists, negotiated fees and contracts. I also ate a lot of almonds and came to realize my abs were really lousy. During a shoot, the musician/actor Common complimented me on my ability to come up with good poses.

    • United States
    • Advertising Services
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Director of Photography
      • Sep 2005 - Dec 2005

      This was one of the best jobs I've ever had. Entertainment Weekly was interested in launching a monthly movie magazine, and I was brought in to handle all the photography for one of the test issues. I was part of a small but incredibly talented and fun team that worked night and day to make one brilliant, funny, memorable issue happen. I got to meet George Clooney, which was awesome, but singing karaoke with this crew after 80-hour weeks was the best. This was one of the best jobs I've ever had. Entertainment Weekly was interested in launching a monthly movie magazine, and I was brought in to handle all the photography for one of the test issues. I was part of a small but incredibly talented and fun team that worked night and day to make one brilliant, funny, memorable issue happen. I got to meet George Clooney, which was awesome, but singing karaoke with this crew after 80-hour weeks was the best.

    • Writing and Editing
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Deputy Photo Editor
      • Dec 1997 - Jan 2005

      I was among the first staffers here. I played a key role in building the photo department from scratch, starting as Associate Photo Editor and working my way up. We worked hard to establish that a sports magazine could be every bit as cutting-edge as any other brand. I managed a staff of six, produced cover and feature shoots, handled research, managed budgets, negotiated fees, secured studios and locations, liaised with PR contacts, and worked on front-of-the book sections and the back page. I… Show more I was among the first staffers here. I played a key role in building the photo department from scratch, starting as Associate Photo Editor and working my way up. We worked hard to establish that a sports magazine could be every bit as cutting-edge as any other brand. I managed a staff of six, produced cover and feature shoots, handled research, managed budgets, negotiated fees, secured studios and locations, liaised with PR contacts, and worked on front-of-the book sections and the back page. I explained sports to fashion photographers who didn't know a baseball from a football, worked until 4am on Super Bowl Sundays, caught passes from Donovan McNabb and watched the Yankees-Mets World Series from the outfield bleacher photo pit. Oh, and I threw a lot of Nerf footballs. Show less I was among the first staffers here. I played a key role in building the photo department from scratch, starting as Associate Photo Editor and working my way up. We worked hard to establish that a sports magazine could be every bit as cutting-edge as any other brand. I managed a staff of six, produced cover and feature shoots, handled research, managed budgets, negotiated fees, secured studios and locations, liaised with PR contacts, and worked on front-of-the book sections and the back page. I… Show more I was among the first staffers here. I played a key role in building the photo department from scratch, starting as Associate Photo Editor and working my way up. We worked hard to establish that a sports magazine could be every bit as cutting-edge as any other brand. I managed a staff of six, produced cover and feature shoots, handled research, managed budgets, negotiated fees, secured studios and locations, liaised with PR contacts, and worked on front-of-the book sections and the back page. I explained sports to fashion photographers who didn't know a baseball from a football, worked until 4am on Super Bowl Sundays, caught passes from Donovan McNabb and watched the Yankees-Mets World Series from the outfield bleacher photo pit. Oh, and I threw a lot of Nerf footballs. Show less

    • Book and Periodical Publishing
    • 300 - 400 Employee
    • Assistant Photo Editor
      • Jun 1996 - Nov 1997

      My first job in magazine publishing, this was a thrill. I started as an intern and was offered full-time employment soon after. I produced shoots of both celebrities and non-celebrities, worked on breaking news stories, reviewed thousands of agency images, coordinated with foreign bureaus, and managed budgets and contracts. My first job in magazine publishing, this was a thrill. I started as an intern and was offered full-time employment soon after. I produced shoots of both celebrities and non-celebrities, worked on breaking news stories, reviewed thousands of agency images, coordinated with foreign bureaus, and managed budgets and contracts.

Education

  • Columbia University - Graduate School of Journalism
    MS, Journalism
    1995 - 1996
  • New York University
    MA, Studio Art / Photography
    1994 - 1995
  • Georgetown University
    Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), English Language and Literature, General
    1987 - 1991

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