Bio

John Freidah has worked the last 12 years at The Providence Journal, focusing on documentary photography to help implement social change. He believes in a strong connection with community, in which photojournalism can be the voice of those who need to be heard. His stories have highlighted national and local issue, affected legislative policy, raised public awareness and empowered individuals.John graduated with a degree in Engineering Physics from Stevens Institute of Technology, and then led a research team in fiber optic acoustic sensors at McDonnell Douglas Astronautics. Wanting a career change to something with more human contact, discovery and impact, he embraced photojournalism.

His work has received numerous awards, including Picture of the Year's "Newspaper Photographer of the Year", 3rd place; Northern Short Course's "Photographer of the Year;" and three-time National Press Photographer's Regional "Photographer of the Year." He won a National Media Award in print journalism from the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, and a National Excellence in Journalism award by the National Marrow Donor Program. John's work has appeared in National Geographic, Time magazine, Newsweek, and on ABC's Nightline. He has lectured throughout the United States and Europe on the art of storytelling through photography.