Jonathan Bourla has been a fine art photographer since 1994. Originally from England, he emigrated to New Zealand at the beginning of 1993. His background was in engineering, which he had studied at Oxford University, but in New Zealand he decided to pursue fine art photography, to follow his heart.

Inspired by the photography of the great American photographer Ansel Adams, he travelled to America in 1997 to attend a workshop run by brilliant photographer Howard Bond, who gave Jonathan a book’s worth of notes to take home. These notes together with Ansel Adams’ books formed the basis of his largely self taught education.

His work has been featured in a number of exhibitions and publications, including the May/June 2023 issue of New Zealand Artist. Jonathan’s photography journey has been made difficult by his battle with depression, thankfully recently improving. Outside of his photography he has held positions on the staff of the SPCA, been an activities coordinator at a rest home for dementia patients, and with his wife Julie started an online store specialising in products for people living with dementia. Jonathan lives with Julie and their two dogs Elli and Winnie in Snells Beach.