Today we’d like to introduce you to Larry Johnson.

Hi Larry, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?

After graduation from College in Illinois with a Music Education Degree, I was hired into the Miami-Dade school system as a music teacher. All of the flora & fauna and sunsets that are not seen in as much glory as it is Florida. So took out my trusty Kodak Brownie camera & began shooting. Well my neighbor at the apartment complex saw me doing this and said try this 35mm camera. It has been sitting in my drawer for 2 years, so you might as well put it to good use (btw, I still have). It seems that I had an eye for things an joined the Kendall Camera Club, started my darkroom and joined in competitions and field trips and art shows selling my work. At one of the art shows I met another artist that made animal sculptures out of sea shells and driftwood. It so seems that they lived close by and his wife needed photographs of one of their cats to be used as a cover for a cat show that was soon to be held in Miami. Well I took on the assignment and shot a couple rolls of B&W film and processed them and delivered prints. They were impressed and the club was impressed, so I was asked to photograph at that cat show. Since the area had no photographer in several years, I was asked by several other cat clubs to photograph at their shows. I was still teaching music but I had the available time on weekends to attend cat shows. Over the course of 5 or 6 years I photographed many of the tops cats in the region and the country. Having one year 2 images in a KalKan calendar. I decided to pursue this adventure and started to travel further distances to photograph and hone my skills and education of each of the breeds and their traits. Learning their best traits and angles and wrangling to attain the best possible poses. After a while I moved on from teaching and had a position that allowed me to have more freedom to travel on Fridays and Monday and also raise my family of 3 kids. It wasn’t long after that I was receiving assignments all over the US and then in 1992 had my fist overseas assignment in Austria. Over the years my reputation has brought me to most of the European countries, Japan and even China to photograph. Since 2004, this niche facet has been my full time profession.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

Obtaining one’s goals is always having challenges. Decisions about leaving the teaching profession and then later leaving a 15 year project manager position, hurricanes, divorce and 3 kids that were beginning to grow up in middle school high school and college. There are many travel stories and nightmares of stolen equipment lost or misplaced equipment. Midnight shopping for temporary lights, stands & backgrounds. TG for those 24hr Walmart. The more you experience challenges the better you become aware how to overcome them and succeed in the long run.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?

Early on I had a aptitude for the arts. Played the French Horn all through College & beyond since the 3rd grade. I attended art classes in middle school, type setting, wood & metal work. The visits to the Art Institute in Chicago, hearing the Chicago Symphony perform and wielding my Kodak Brownie camera photographing the zoo and other creatures around our house and on vacations.
My specialty with cats (at this point) but I have photographed dogs, horses, lizards, servals, birds, and some FL Panthers etc. Over the years honing my skills has given me a reputation for being one of the top animal photographers in the world (not claiming the wild animal – outdoor realm). I advertise very little and have a steady clientele that will follow me and hunt me down for photographs of their cats. The word of mouth is most powerful and rewarding.
My demeanor and patience handling clients and especially their animals is paramount gives me a presence that others do not have or have not achieved. Over the years I have attained some top awards for my imagery, president of several Camera Clubs and Professional Photo Guilds, and Cat Clubs. With my knowledge I have lead lectures, workshops and individual instruction on photography techniques, Photoshop and design for other photographers.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?

Now that the web is paramount, I have followers and mutual photography friends from all over the world.
Email: [email protected]
Web: JohnsonAnimalPhoto.com
Facebook: Larry Johnson – Larry Johnson Photography – Johnson Photography – Olde Time Photo Restoration and Scanning Services
Instagram: @larryjohnsonphotography
YouPic and Guru Shots
Many find me on location through my show schedule on my website. Many can see my set-up and see me in action or just talk ‘shop’.

Pricing:

• Studio sessions start at $250
• On location starts at $250
• Show prices start at $90

Contact Info:

• Website: https://JohnsonAnimalPhoto.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larryjohnsonphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1263643317
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-johnson-789b49b/