He can take a picture of his grandma that looks like everybody’s grandma, or the grandma you wanted but never had – and then shoot the governor, tense during budget talks, as you’ve never seen him before. The one thing you can count on from John Urban is eclecticism and pure originality.  

Urban’s humor relaxes people, puts them off their guard and allows their true selves to shine through. Maybe that’s part of his success with portraits. His work delivers a refreshing kaleidoscope of humankind-people who may not always be “at their best,” but certainly at their most genuine.

Joan Fischer, Former Editor of the Wisconsin Academy Review.