John Goral grew up in Yuma, AZ, with a love for all things aviation. Watching the Blue Angels with his family, the roar of the afterburners rumbling in his chest, and the smell of burnt jet fuel are some of his core memories. But, before his late twenties, he couldn’t tell you what aperture or ISO meant.
Years later, while working as a web developer, John discovered a new and exciting creative outlet when a friend introduced him to black-and-white film photography. Hooked instantly, he took his father’s Canon AE-1 and hit the trails of Flagstaff, AZ, looking to chase the light and teach himself photography. Ten years later, his passions collided when he had the opportunity to return to airshows with his Canon 5D MKII and the longest lens he could get his hands on. He was determined to make photos that captured the same energy and awe that he had felt as a child. And he did just that.
That was the experience that really stoked the flames, turning his hobby into his pursuit of all things photography. While aviation remains his central focus, John embraced the challenges of learning multiple genres of photography. One particular interest was studio portraiture. He was fascinated by how controlling light could bring out so many different aspects of a person’s personality. And he wanted to learn how to incorporate these different skills into aviation photography. So, John enrolled in Photography at Northern Arizona University and will graduate with his Bachelor's in May of 2026.