Fitzpatrick was the son of John and Ellen Fitzpatrick, and, brother to Mary Ellen Ftizpatrick and Noreen Fitzpatrick. He was born in Morristown, NJ and raised in Short Hills, New Jersey. He graduated from Montclaire State University in New Jersey and immediate began his photography career upon graduating.

John P. "Fitz" Fitzpatriick was an award winning photographer in both travel and extreme sports, but, he was also known throughout the fashion industry for his creative eye and direction giving a fresh feeling to otherwise routine photograph shoots.

His life long battle with alcoholism began taking a toll on his career, and, beginning of 2011, he was fired from many of the jobs he routinely landed for years due his drinking and drove family and friends away from him. By 2013, his path of self-destruction was sealed. He lost his battle, intoxicated, and, fleeing from authorities on July 15, 2013.