We had the good fortune of connecting with Jamie Johnson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jamie, as a parent, what have you done for you children that you feel has had the most significant impact?
I am a parent of two teenage girls. I really believe that my daughters watching me follow my passions and create a business that allows me to travel the world shows them a sense of independence to follow their dreams and passions to create any life they want. 

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I started many years ago shooting actors headshots when I was at NYU. I moved to LA to pursue Ia different career but continued to shoot headshots to pay the bills. As time went on I began shooting children, before I knew it I was photographing children at all the movie studios and my schedule was so busy I had no time for anything else. Eventually I started shooting documentary work about children’s lives throughout the world. I photographed the children of the tribes in the rainforests in Ecuador to the tribes of India and the young monks of Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Eagle hunters of Mongolia, the Gypsy kids in France and the Irish traveller children. My first monograph was released this year, “Growing Up Travelling” published by Kehrer Verlag.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Of course the beautiful coast line of Los Angeles, from the excitement of Venice Beach to the beauty of Malibu. I truly love Hollywood and a stop at Trejos Tacos and Amoeba record store are a must! Hiking Runyon Canyon and finding a good food truck afterwards is a great day. Having an evening cocktail on Sunset Blvd and seeing a up and coming band at the Whiskey would definitely be on my list too. Dare I say anymore before all my friends decide to pop in for a fun week?

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
When I first stated working as a full time photographer, outside of my wedding photographer, I did not know any photographers. It was a strange solo journey. One day I heard about Julia Dean who rans a photography school and gallery, I started to go to the events, now more than 20 years later I have found a community in Los Angeles of hundreds of like minded photographers and artists that I’m happy to call my friends. Her place now is the Los Angeles Center of Photography in Culver City, if you have even a little interest in photography, this is the place to be.

Website: www.jamiejohnsonphotography.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamiejohnsonphotography/
Twitter: @jamiezjohnson
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamiejohnsonphotography

Image Credits
Circus photos are of Le Petie Cirque

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.