John Stember is a photographer based in Missoula, Montana, who focuses on rural communities and the environment across the American West. His work grows out of a decade on the move—listening, sharing meals, and engaging with people whose lives reflect the many identities that shape America. Drawn to movement, he’s bicycled across large stretches of the continent and worked as a dog musher in the Arctic.

Committed to staying connected to the West, John completed a Master’s degree in Environmental Science and Natural Resource Journalism at the University of Montana, where he focused on the human-dimensions and ecology of prairie grizzlies.

He also spent a summer working on Boyd’s Station Project 306.36 in Kentucky, a long-term historical archive inspired by the Farm Security Administration. The goal of the project is to document a snapshot in time in rural America as it changes over the next 10 to 20 years.

He contributes to publications including The New York Times, Montana Free Press, Atmos, High Country News and more. John maintains a Part-107 drone license, Hostile Environment Awareness Training for journalists, and previously worked in emergency medicine.

Contact info :

jstember1 (at) gmail.com

971-67eight-3173

EDUCATION

2025 MA, Environmental Science and Natural Resource Journalism, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana

2015 BA, Environmental Studies, Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2025 Grizzly Bears Moving onto the Great Plains, Knowles Gallery, Missoula, MT

AWARDS & GRANTS

2025 Conservation Grant, The Alexia Foundation

2024 Portfolio Award of Excellence, College Photographer of the Year

2024 National Winner, Society of Professional Journalists, General News Photography

2024 1st place Best Feature Photo, Montana Newspaper Association

2024 1st place Business and Economics Reporting, Society of Professional Journalists

RESIDENCIES

2024 Project 306.36, Boyd Station, Cynthia, Kentucky

FELLOWSHIPS & WORKSHOPS

2026 1-to-1 mentorship program with Adriana Zehbrauskas, The VII Foundation

2025 Crown of the Continent Workshop, Institute for Journalism and Natural Resources

2024 Missouri Photo Workshop

2023 Eddie Adams Workshop

2023 Wildfire Science & Policy Workshop, Institute for Journalism and Natural Resources

2022 Foundry Photojournalism Workshop, The VII Foundation

“You know there are moments such as these when time stands still and all you do is hold your breath and hope it will wait for you” — Dorothea Lange

© John Stember - All Rights Reserved.