From Photography to Restoration: John Morris Is Building a Creative Career with Classic Cars

Discovering the Art of Collector Cars

John Morris uses his camera to see the world up close. It’s not unlike the way he approaches restoration work: to him, the finishing touches on a project car deserve as much attention as the finely-tuned mechanical systems that make it run.

Originally from California’s North Bay, John, a photographer, now lives in Kansas, where he attends McPherson College — home to the nation’s only four-year degree program in automotive restoration. The program combines John’s creative interests with practical, hands-on work.

“I love being able to express my view and vision and perspective on these vehicles through my camera.”

“I was always intrigued by the life force, I would say, that came from collector cars, John said. I’ve never owned a car that was even close to my age…and I knew that if there was a place that taught me how to work on older cars, I would take that opportunity.”

John’s parents are both pastors, and neither has a background or particular interest in the automotive world. His fascination with collector cars developed independently, shaped by hours of personal research and experiences at local car shows. 

“I just found the beauty and art of the expression of these cars, and I just became fascinated with them.”

In high school, John learned basic welding and machining in his shop class. During his senior year, he enrolled in a program that allowed him to earn college credit while working in the automotive field. He spent six to twelve hours a week at an auto body shop and electric car dealership, while also taking welding, collision repair, and metal fabrication courses at a local community college.

Seeing Cars Through a Creative Lens

At the same time, photography remained a constant, shaping how he looked at cars beyond their mechanical needs and reinforcing his attention to design and detail.

By high school, cars became his primary subject. 

“I love being able to express my view and vision and perspective on these vehicles through my camera,” he said.

Photography also gave John a clearer way to articulate what appeals to him about older cars. He points to their design and craftsmanship, qualities he believes are often missing from modern models. Choices in materials, proportions, and small functional details interest him as much as the larger systems that make a car run.

“There’s just so much more detail and life to these vehicles,” he said.

McPherson Turns Passion into Practice

At McPherson, John moves between general education courses and hands-on lab work in areas like engine rebuilding, electrical systems, and sheet metal. Afternoons often give way to work shifts—he holds two part-time jobs, one off campus at a hardware store and another on campus in the mailroom—before returning to the shop or heading home to prepare for the next day. He also contributes photography for the college’s social media.

“The current scene of the collector car industry is slowly retiring, there (needs) to be people to carry on this passion. And I want to carry on this passion.”

That focus on how systems work carries over when he works on his own vehicle. The 1992 Volvo 240 station wagon has been his ongoing project since he bought it at 16 with money saved from working and gifts. He found it on Facebook Marketplace and contacted the seller within minutes of the listing going live. Since then, he’s rebuilt much of the suspension, replaced bushings and wheel bearings, and tackled countless smaller issues along the way.

The Volvo also serves as his daily driver, adding another layer of challenge to the work.

Building a Creative Career

Receiving the Piston Scholarship has made a meaningful difference in John’s college experience, easing financial pressure and allowing him to focus more fully on his education.

“The biggest difference is it helps me afford school,” John said. “It’s taken some stress and anxiety off me financially, which has translated into being able to focus more on my schoolwork and my learning.”

Beyond financial support, John values the encouragement and mentorship provided by the Piston Foundation. As many longtime professionals in the collector car world approach retirement, he sees mentorship as essential to preserving knowledge that can’t be learned from textbooks alone.

“The current scene of the collector car industry is slowly retiring,” he said. “There (needs) to be people to carry on this passion. And I want to carry on this passion.”

Many of the people John has learned from bring decades of experience to their work. Their guidance is critical to carrying on the legacy of the craft. 

“Our generation needs all the help we can get to be able to carry on this industry,” he said.

While his long-term career path is still taking shape, John is focused on roles that allow him to combine hands-on work with a creative perspective. Auction house photography is one possibility among several he’s considering.

“I know that I want to find something—a career in the automotive industry—that allows me to combine those skills with my hands-on ability and my passion for collector cars,” he said. “I’m not quite sure what avenue that is yet, but I do think of especially older cars as artwork that deserves to be seen and viewed and driven and shared.”