Meet Jamison Johnson

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jamison Johnson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jamison , appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?

I like to keep my creativity alive by investing in myself. I take myself out on artist dates doing a fun project or activity, spoil myself a little, do something I have always wanted to try, that sort of thing. By appealing to our inner child, our artist begins to thrive. It helps to keep a journal and write in the morning whatever comes to mind whether it makes sense or not. It helps to get some good ideas to help yourself when you are in a rut. I personally love the suggestions in The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron.

I love to look at what others are doing with their art, think of fun ideas, do mundane activities and write down my brainstormed ideas. The activity has to be brainless like washing a floor, sweeping, something really repetitive. Driving can be one of those activity, although it isn’t always brainless in crazy traffic. A long drive will definitely trigger ideas and thoughts.

I also foster my relationships, try to have time for a little fun, and even do things I still like I did as a kid like play with toy cars, draw in the sand, carve a pumpkin, sketch, play with crayons at a restaurant, Whatever things gave you joy and inspiration!

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

As your photographic artist, I am intuitive and empathetic looking to help and connect with people with where they are in their story. As a dynamic and creative person, I like to keep things fun while being sensitive, and looking for solutions and ways to present people at their best creating beautiful photographic art.

Ever since I was a young child, I have been a passionate artist. I have never stopped whether it is a crayon, a pencil, a pen, a paint brush, or a camera. I bring passion into everything I do from my work to my life investing hours in professional development and skills to ensure the art I make for is my best, natural, beautiful, and a quality people treasure.

As a part of a family I can relate to why loved ones are precious and important. I am a devoted husband and cat daddy. I have worked with and/or owned several types of animals from dogs to cats to livestock to birds to horses. I love animals and approach them like children and people with care and with love. I have 2 grown up children I helped raised since a young age, so I understand many of the stages you as parents go through, but each child or person is different and unique.

I bring the same passion, care, service, and love to my portraits and art I provide that I do with my own family and friends. I truly love people, animals, and love to help anyway I can through the donation of my time, resources, and opportunities. I only use the best materials and provide extra service others don’t because I do care and want you to have the very best art decor and memories that last for generations like I would for my own family and loved ones.

I look forward to meeting new people and clients, and learning more about their unique story and needs.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I think the most helpful things that helped me in my journey as a photographic artist are getting into work I find inspiring and rewarding, learning from other professionals via classes, conferences, and apprenticing, and really looking at improving my skills and stretching in particular areas via personal projects and image competitions, so I can track my progress and get feedback on my work.

For people who are starting out, I recommend highly you join your local professional state and the national organization Professional Photographers of America. I recommend you learn the fundamentals, you study light, you see things in both color and black and white, you study what you like and don’t like about particular images you and others have made, and I highly recommend mentorships and apprenticeships practicing and refining your craft. It is helpful to do things like image competition and professional evaluations, so you can with confidence know you are producing work that is at a professional standard and at your best. Once you understand the basics and know what you are doing, you can explore, deviate, and go different directions.

Oftentimes people rely on being only self taught as islands in a much larger ocean. Sometimes people can go adrift and not realize what the rest of the earth on that ocean is doing. There are pros and cons to that, but once we learned about others in our world, we grew as people and learned things and were enriched. Sometimes being too isolated is a disservice to yourself as an artist and professional. I have learned some great tips, business advice, and pointers that have really elevated my art and level of service.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

I think the first thing I like to do is breathe, get into a more calm state, step aside a bit from the situation, and add some objective perspective as much as possible. It helps to talk things out with myself and a trusted partner or friend. I think it helps to emotionally separate yourself and try not to escalate your frustration or let your feelings hijack you in a situation.

What did I learn? What did I do well, what can I do better are questions I often ask myself. Sometimes I just take a few minutes to regroup, refresh. I often like to find things to do when I am feeling flustered like working out, relaxing, maybe even playing some video games to get out that frustration and process. Music, art, the love of animals, and a fun evening out also is a great way to blow off some steam!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://JamisonAJohnson.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jajphotoartist
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamisonAJohnson
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamisonajohnson/
• Twitter: https://www.threads.net/@jajphotoartist

Image Credits

All images made and created by Jamison A Johnson, Photographic Artist