Today we’d like to introduce you to John Howe.
Hi John, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was a police officer with Independence Police Department for 24 years and was medically retired in 2022 due to injuries. While a police officer I had a photography studio and besides normal client I’ve photographed over 100 WWII veterans, I was the Missouri Mavericks team photographer for 5 seasons. Since being medically retired I started a YouTube channel Healing Trails Overland and I talk about mental health and try and help others navigate post service all while healing myself.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth road with my photography. It was a struggle because I was not allowed to represent myself publicly due to department rules. The photography, however, provided a healing space in the midst of trauma coming in every day, and it gave me balance.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I had a passion project where as I said, I had photographed over 100 World War II veterans the last 18 I started recording, but with each of the veterans I would take their portrait and then a week or so later return and at no charge to them I would give them a mounted print. That has led to some amazing connections because the first man I ever photographed when doing street photography in Kansas City recently died, and I was tracked down by his son who lives in Spain and to this day we are still in contact. I have so many other stories like that, and the art itself kept me sane while doing an impossible job.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
First off is my wife, Mykael Ann Howe since being retired I lost my way and I lost purpose and she has helped me find it again and to navigate post service Weiss what I can do now I have many other people who have been mentors and friends and taught me along the way I could not be where I’m at today without the help of so many other people
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @healingtrailsoverland
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HealingTrailsOverland
