20 on Tuesday: Jasmine Johnson

Have you ever flown to a strange city by yourself to share a hotel room with someone you have never actually met in real life?  Well, that happened to me this past March when I went to WPPI for the first time.  The invitation to save a little money on hotel expenses trumped my apprehension of  acquiring a roommate for the first time since college.  All sorts of unsavory scenarios ran through my head when I imagined how the weekend could end up.  Fortunately for me,  my roommate was awesome! She was quite normal and super helpful to a WPPI newbie.  We stuck together and endured a wacky party, lots of great classes, and maneuvering through the maze that is the Las Vegas MGM Grand.

Not only has she become my friend in real life, but Jasmine Johnson continues to inspire me with her family and child photography.  She has a knack for capturing families in their element doing the things together that they love.  Her pictures are real and modern and fun.  Take a look for yourself!

Hi Jasmine,

Where are you from? Ventura, California
Where is home now? A few hours north of my hometown in Arroyo Grande.  It’s halfway between L.A. and San Francisco on the coast.
Are you formally educated or self-taught in photography? Self-taught.  My grandpa was a portrait photographer and I grew up in photo labs watching my mom work, but I never listened to her tips about focus and exposure… so I’ve worked on it myself.
What words would you use to describe your style of photography? fun, personal, modern & clean
Talk to me about personal projects.  Are they important and what have you done lately? I absolutely think personal projects are important… but I sort of have a love/hate relationship with my camera.  I started a 52 week project this year and only made it about 8 weeks.  I don’t pick up my camera for weeks at a time.  So currently, personal projects are more about home improvements and spending time with my two daughters 🙂
What is your favorite kind of session to shoot and why? My most recent session is always my favorite.  I just photographed my first set of newborns and I’m just in love with them!  When my schedule gets busy, I have to force myself to edit sessions in chronological order, otherwise I’ll only focus on the most recent set.
How do you stay motivated and your photography current? My clients motivate me.  I didn’t previously consider myself a people person, but I love the interaction with my clients in a photo shoot.  I especially thrive on getting my ‘non-photogenic’ clients to look and feel fabulous.  Keeping my work current?  I do follow a lot of photography blogs, but have found that trying to copy another artist’s work never turns out to be an image I like or am proud of.  It’s all about people and their genuine reactions and emotions.
If you could be invisible for one day with your camera… I’d photograph births.  I know you don’t have to be invisible to do this, but it’s an area of photography I haven’t yet pursued but would love to.
Name a photographer you would like to take a portrait of Other photographers tend to intimidate me.  I’m not sure I’d be comfortable taking a portrait of someone I highly admire.  I’ll say YOU, Wendy… we’d have fun!  (Not that I don’t admire your work, but we’ve met and you aren’t scary!)
What’s your best advice for balancing work and family? Have an amazing husband who’s understanding and supportive of your artistic aspirations, and who is a great dad, cook and housekeeper!
What’s in your camera bag? Nikon D700, 50/1.4, 20-35/2.8, my iPhone, some chapstick, and gummy snacks for the kids I shoot.
When you’re not photographing, where can we find you? At the park, beach or children’s museum with my kiddos.
If not a photographer what would you have been? My first profession is teaching.  7th and 8th grade math… and I love it, but photography was a bigger pull at this point in my life.
If you could live anywhere on this awesome planet where would you build your dream home? I waver between being a small-town beach girl and craving big-city life.  So, either somewhere on the California coast, or New York City.
What talent would you most like to have? I wish I had better interior decorating skills.
What are the three words your spouse would use to describe you? (I asked… and wouldn’t have guessed these 3:) beautiful, intelligent and unselfish
Something that is over rated… Photoshop actions (maybe only because I don’t use any though!)
Your favorite movie of all time? Good Will Hunting
Who would play you in a movie of your life? Jennifer Garner
Name one blog you stalk regularly Smitten Kitchen… every recipe I’ve tried has been awesome!

Would you share some of your favorite images that best represent your work?

Jasmine’s work can be found HERE.

Thank you, Jasmine!