John Stanford

I started Vertex Photographic 2002. Like most photographers, I have been doing photography almost all my life. After returning from Viet Nam and finishing college I started a commercial skydiving center in Virginia. Skydiving has been my other passion throughout my life; my wife Sara and I just retired from the sport.

After selling the skydiving center I started the Adventure Loft, a parachute manufacturing business. In 1985 my friend Pete McKeeman and I founded the Vested Interest with the goal of designing and manufacturing photographer's vests. In 2000 I sold the Adventure Loft and Vested Interest to my friend John Storrie.

Also in 1985 along with my good friend Phil Huff, we started a company called UpSki. Phil and I designed parachute/sailing type devices to pull skiers uphill and cross country. For a look at some great images check out the website UpSki.com.

I enjoy all types of photography. Many years ago I used 35mm, medium format and large format film cameras. Now with digital photography it is even more exciting and almost limitless to what you can create.

The products I design and manufacture are ones I have found a need for in my own photography. I have relied on my thirty years of manufacturing parachute and photography products for the selection of materials and constructions methods. I hope they serve you well.