John Minihan: Photographer, Teacher, and Mentor
INFLUENCE AND INSPIRATION.
“John taught me to look beyond the surface of an image and search for its soul. A lesson that continues to shape my photography.”
Through Hetty Walsh, I was introduced to John Minihan, a name that already carried weight long before I ever met him. His photographs had entered the cultural memory of Ireland and beyond, portraits of Samuel Beckett, Lady Diana, Francis Bacon, Andy Warhol, and The Beatles, to name only a few. Yet when I met him, what struck me most was not his reputation, but his generosity.
John had a way of making time stand still, whether through his camera or through conversation. I met him on several occasions, and each meeting left me with something I carried back into my own work. He would look carefully at my portfolio, pointing out not only where I could improve but also where I had found something true. Our conversations often drifted into the philosophy of photography: What makes an image endure? How does a photograph move beyond surface and reach into meaning? These discussions felt less like lessons and more like explorations, masterclasses disguised as conversations.
Over time, our relationship grew into a friendship. I was invited to photograph his exhibition at University College Cork, where I witnessed firsthand how his work resonated with the audience. To me, it felt like being woven into his story, just as he had become part of mine.
One of the defining moments of our friendship was when John entrusted me with his Rolleiflex camera — the same type of camera used by Vivian Maier, whose work had deeply inspired me. Later, he placed even more trust in me by passing down additional cameras, including his classic Nikon F models. These gifts were not about equipment; they were symbols of belief, reminders that he saw potential in me worth nurturing. They also marked the beginning of my own camera collection, each piece carrying both technical beauty and a story of legacy.
What I came to love most about our time together was John’s endless storytelling. He had lived through moments and encounters that most photographers only dream of, and he could recall them with vivid clarity. I loved listening to his stories about the people he had photographed, the circumstances of those sessions, and the unexpected turns behind some of his most iconic images. These stories were not just entertaining; they were lessons in history, humanity, and the craft itself.
John’s mentorship gave me more than skills. He gave me perspective. He taught me to look for the soul within my subjects, to seek out the quiet essence of a moment, and to recognise that a photograph can hold memory, history, and emotion all at once.
We have kept in touch ever since, and I continue to value his guidance and friendship. Looking back, I realise that what I inherited from John was not just cameras or critiques, but a way of seeing. His trust reinforced my path, and his wisdom remains one of the greatest gifts I have received on this journey.
This story is Part 3 of a trilogy about legacy, mentorship, and photography.