John Simonelli (1934–2005) taught for more than thirty years while simultaneously pursuing a second career as a photographer. Upon his retirement from teaching, he devoted his full attention to photographic art.

Simonelli's pictures vary in subject matter (abstracts, travel, intimate landscapes and vibrant color studies), and they all convey a deceptively simple way of seeing the world.

He was a seeker with a ravenous eye, constantly observing and defining with his camera. For him the camera became an instrument of spontaneity and intuition, a tool for giving meaning to everything around him.

Some of the shows that hosted John Simonelli's work include:

• Armonk Arts Festival
• Bruce Museum, Greenwich, Connecticut
• Madison Arts Festival (Best in Show 2001, 2004)
• Mystic Outdoor Arts Festival (First Place 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004)
• Old Saybrook Arts and Craft Festival (Best in Show 2001)
• Three Rivers Arts Festival
• Virginia Beach Arts Festival
• Washington Square Outdoor Arts Festival (First Place 1999, 2000, 2001)
• Westhampton Arts Festival (First Place 2002)
• Westport Outdoor Fine Arts Festival
• Wickford Art Festival

John Simonelli varied his camera equipment based on the demands of the image. He worked mainly in color using minimal equipment and lots of legwork.

Prints are processed in both traditional and digital darkrooms, and printed on various media.