John Gottcha

John Gottcha is a Belgian contemporary art photographer based in the Brussels area.

As a teenager he got the chance to be offered a camera  and became autodidact as a hobby (at the time the internet was not existing so he made it on the hard way by reading books and doing a lot of trials and errors)

As the passion was growing he built it’s own black and white development chamber in the bathroom of his father closing the windows with aluminium foils and installing red lamps without asking any permission. This led to some conflictual discussions within the family.  His favourite topics at that time were people and a bit the landscapes during his holidays.

After a break of several years (yes yes, a family life sometimes forces you to change your hobbies ^^ he re-discovered his material in the attic, cleaned it and… decided to switch to the digital world in 2008.

As he had more free time available in the evenings  he started evening photography courses in the “École de photographie et de techniques visuelles Agnès Varda” school of Brussels.

During these courses he got quickly the opportunity to use a medium format camera and was encouraged by his teacher to test the studio photography. He loved it immediately , fascinated by this new world of lightings  compositions and models direction. He opened his own studio at home to be able to create his own scenes. Moreover in order to go over the standard backgrounds sets he spent hours in all the brussels area to find different and original props for the scenery

John participated to several workshop organised by experienced photographers to learn on the field how the magic was operating. However he was more interested by the behaviour of the participants, learning what “not to do” based on discussions with the organisers and conversations with the models. “This is how I learned the most useful tips and developed gradually my own differentiated style by multiplying trials and getting models feedbacks”. The point of view of women is very important John as at the end  the photography just records a moment, a common creativity instant and both parties need to be proud of it.

“The technique is useful yes and you need to be familiar with it but you don’t need the top notch camera or gadgets - but the most important for me is the creativity, build something you have in mind with the model…” put the model in the centre of your creation”

Post treatment is important for John. Not to change things, just to add a bit of light here and there (like he was doing in the past in the “chambre noire” and play on the colour schemes to fine tune the atmosphere, the rendering of the scene.

John also participated during years to several musical projects doing the backstage shootings and providing original cover and inner sleeves.

“I had the freedom to capture what I liked wherever I wanted during the video clips. This allowed me to get the sense of the songs, meet the artists frontstage or backstage and develop real friendship relations with people from different universes”

The ideas of John are mainly coming from a special place discovered which can  be a simple wall a texture, or the atmosphere of a place . John then build a concept around it and engage with the most appropriate model(s). “Create a scene in your mind, draw it on paper, share it with the model and then foresee your shooting”

It sometimes it takes him months to assemble the pieces of the puzzle so they become a real creation and as a result, all John Gottcha’s pictures have their own stories.

And it is up to you to discover by going through his creative universe.

 John Gottcha, contemporary photographer based in the Brussels-Capital Region.

Early Beginnings:

• • John Gottcha hails from the vibrant city of Brussels.
  • His passion for photography ignited at an early age, and he honed his skills through years of dedicated practice.

Bruxelles-Interdite Series:

• • John’s most notable works emerge from his captivating series titled “Bruxelles-Interdite” (Forbidden Brussels).
  • In this collection, he places women at the heart of his creations, showcasing their strength, vulnerability, and resilience.
  • John’s lens unveils hidden corners of Brussels—places often overlooked or intentionally kept away from public view.

Provocative Aesthetics:

• • John Gottcha’s style is both provocative and thought-provoking.
  • His photographs evoke curiosity, stirring emotions and challenging conventional norms.
  • Through his lens, he captures the essence of forbidden spaces, inviting viewers to question societal boundaries.

Impact and Legacy:

1. • John’s work transcends mere visuals; it serves as a mirror reflecting the soul of Brussels.
   • His dedication to portraying the city’s secrets and silenced narratives has left an indelible mark on the art scene.
   • Whether capturing an abandoned alley or an off-limits building, John Gottcha’s photography invites us to explore beyond the surface.

Remember, John Gottcha’s lens reveals the enigmatic and uncharted facets of Brussels, inviting us to see the city anew.

John Gottcha est un artiste contemporain basé en région Bruxelloise.

Les œuvres présentées a "Cartes de visite" sont issues de sa série "Bruxelles-Interdite",  plaçant la femme au centre de ses créations, nous présente des lieux bruxellois méconnus  ou interdits au public.

Son style volontairement provocant mais sans excès ne laisse pas le visiteur  indifférent.