John Oldenkamp

Arts & Crafts | 1931-2014

John Oldenkamp was a self-employed editorial and advertising photographer in San Diego between 1965-1995. His photographic talent captured a number of important projects across San Diego County.

An honors graduate of DePauw University, Oldenkamp served in the United States Navy between 1950-54. A South Park resident since 1969, John’s professional background included working for General Dynamics Astronautics as an offsite and corporate photographer. John has been widely recognized with regional and national awards most notably for his work for Psychology Today Magazine.

Deeply involved in community work, Oldenkamp volunteered for the Save Our Heritage Organisation, including 14 years as a Board member. John also served as the president of the San Diego Art Director’s Club, which later became the San Diego Communicating Arts Group. After retiring John traveled extensively in the United States and internationally.

John’s preservation efforts included an important assemblage of his architectural photography of the 1960’s and '70s in San Diego. For this effort he displayed images of projects by Lloyd Ruocco, Paul McKim, Homer Delawie, Deems & Lewis, as well as Schoell & Geritz. John also renovated one of R.M. Schindler’s Pueblo Ribera Courts.