Treasures of Cambridge #22 Treasures of Cambridge #22

John Carlson pictured in front of the vault in the former Bean Head’s Coffee House has lived in the Cambridge area for over 22 years.

John loves the Cambridge area for the people, the architecture and the land. “I have traveled a lot and witnessed many different landscapes. None speak to me as profoundly as the land here in our area. It embodies a human scale that invites you in and holds you dear.”

“When I think back to my childhood home, the streets of NYC, it is hard to know when exactly I made the transition from being a city person to a country person. I remember family picnics as a young boy, I would eat in the car to steer clear of the buzzing and crawling insects that were attracted to our food.”

John learned to overcome his fear of the natural world with a camera and a backpack; taking pictures of the wonders of National Parks across America. It was also the birth of a career as a photographer and later, filmmaker. John has made a living documenting the interaction of humans, their habitats and the plants and animals they share that land with. “ I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to travel to interesting places like South America, Africa and Alaska, taking pictures and making movies for organizations like, The Wildlife Conservation Society, National Geographic and Discovery Channels.”

John’s prop is a video camera. For the past five years, along with being a cinematographer and editor he has begun to produce and direct his own projects. He owns and operates General Films, LLC a media production company here in Cambridge. Currently he is working on a couple of feature length documentaries, “Being Wayne Adams” (a film about the life and times of a unique theatrical producer in NYC), and “A Question of Justice” (a film that follows the lives of four ordinary men who faced extraordinary challenges and made heroic choices).

John also is a principle partner in the fledgling company Buzzwave, a media relations business. Buzzwave utilizes the latest technologies to empower communities and companies to build bonds that lead to economic and social development by helping them communicate their unique stories. This Blog you are reading is the result of one such effort.

When asked how he would like to be remembered he simply says, “I love people, I love making art; I want to bring beauty and joy to others and to grow and develop into a trusted, caring and capable human being.” John can be reached by email at: jdcarlson2001@yahoo.com.