We recently connected with Joanna Pinkney and have shared our conversation below.
Joanna, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you walk us through some of the key steps that allowed you move beyond an idea and actually launch?
It was Christmas of 2008, my tenth grade year in high school, when I received my very first camera. It was a small dslr camera from Walmart, that came in a plastic casing, that didn’t require any assistance to purchase. Talk about humble beginnings. At the time the only photography influence I had was from my mother. Growing up she constantly had her 35mm point-and-shoot film camera loaded and ready for action. To this day she has a large box full of developed film, ranging from special events to everyday documentation of the family. She was my inspiration. Over the next few years I would experiment with my tiny dslr mentioned before, mainly shooting in monochrome. I had no specific use for the images I took, other then social media and for my own personal safe keeping. One particular day, while uploading files from the camera to my computer, my mother just so happened to glance through the photographs that I had recently captured. To my surprise she was taken back by what she still claims to this day, that I have the eye. Which translates to having the raw talent, and artistic approach, to photograph moments in time before learning any technique. Within that moment, is when the idea of becoming a visual artist was born.
Fast forward to 2015, when I finally went from idea to execution, and began to take myself seriously as a professional artist. I had no clue where to begin outside of purchasing my first entry level camera. Which was actually gifted to me by someone I knew at the time. Shortly after I began to dive right in, practicing and shooting any and everything. Constantly reading, studying, and finding various ways to educate myself. Not only about photography and visual arts, but how to get the most out of my current equipment, as well as figuring out how to develop my style as an artist. After my first year of committing myself to my artistic journey, life took a turn. The very person who gifted me the money to purchase my first camera, decided I no longer deserved it and took it from my possession. Confused and hurt, my mother, who never stopped supporting, encouraging, and believing in my dreams, came to the rescue. She lended me her best buy credit card, which allowed me the ability to replace and upgrade my camera equipment.
Now here I am, present day, eight years into the journey as a professional artist, currently shooting dslr and film format. Networking and marketing myself within the Atlanta art scene. Offering myself as a resource to my peers. Building my portfolio and bodies of work. Forming my business and booking clients. Participating in art shows, and truly getting a glimpse of what hard work and preparation can bring. Even though I have various dreams and destinations for myself, I am learning to appreciate each stepping stone. It is my belief that art is meant to be unconventional, and I embrace each moment.
Joanna, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
The journey of a freelance artist is non-stop. My name is Jo, creatively known as JoTheJuiceGod. This venture has been my reality for the past eight years. In the process I have learned the value of patience. I will always find new ways to master this craft. As I do, I expand. I understand the importance of constant elevation. The ‘new horizon’ is the goal. My mindset is: if you look hard enough, you will find the opportunity that opens the next door. I am committed to being diligent and well prepared. As I have embarked upon this journey my focus has been to create conceptual scenes that reflect the individuality of each subject, allowing them to be my inspiration. In front of my lens, they instantly become my muse. The eye capturing story telling, is evident through out my various bodies of work. My mediums range from photo journalism, portraiture, film, dslr, and monochrome. The organic way I capture the essence within each one of my subjects is unique in every way. Leaving each one of my photographs consistently containing an immense amount of emotion.
My body of work is diverse, and I do it all. I hire models, design concepts, and coordinate with production teams. Learning business operations and how to present myself as a professional is a constant within my everyday practices. Taking the photograph and being on set is the fun part, and as an artist you will find yourself straying away from the business aspect of things. But in actuality mastering the business side of the art becomes a strong suit as you climb the career latter. Being able to negotiate rates, contracts, and signing major brand deals, definitely requires the ability to be business savvy. When providing a service to my clients, the goal is to present constant value and exclusivity. The best way to do that is by exceeding customer service expectations, while continuously maintaining a high level of professionalism.
My brand is all about bridging the gap between corporate practices and creativity. Leading by example, by remaining authentic and unwavering when it comes to the art. While simultaneously presenting myself as a highly functioning professional entity. 
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
As a creative artist, of course I have visions and goals that I strive for on a personal level. Even so, what keeps the fire inside of me burning, is the desire to inspire others. While reiterating that humble beginnings are just the beginning. My mission for when onlookers read about my journey, is to showcase that persistence and preparation will take you to places far and wide. As I gain more traction, recognition, and acknowledgement within my art, I can in turn utilize those resources. Creating a space that provides education, support, and community for emerging artists. Mimicking the structure of a college or university without requiring students to acquire debt to master the pursuit of their art. This to me is the icing on the cake to my personal goals and achievements. A way to give back and ensure that creativity is continuously encouraged.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
An artist’s journey is rooted in resilience, and mine isn’t any different when it comes to facing adversity. For the longest I felt like a one man band. Meaning how I viewed being supported by others, to me, was nonexistent. At least not at first. Naturally my family believed in me. Now, as for everyone else, (i.e my target audience, peers, associates, and colleagues) that took some convincing. At times it would bother me to my core, leaving less room for growth, and way too much room for the “Artist Lows” to kick in. This term isn’t coined. However, I guarantee, the creative collective, know this part of the journey all to well. I will say, that I have learned how to rid of the negative perception towards artistic down time. Instead I view those moments as an opportunity to be still, silent, and reflective. Trusting that focusing on living in the now is equally as important as the creative process. For if you don’t live, what is there to create.
Contact Info:
- Website: JoTheJuiceGod.com
- Instagram: JoTheJuiceGod
- Other: Email : [email protected]
Image Credits
1. photographed by Kymani Roach. 2. self portrait, 35mm film. 3. Elijah, 35mm film. 4. Elijah, 35mm film. 5. Tales From The Hood, 35mm film. 6. Tales From The Hood, 35mm film. 7. Walgreens, Downtown Atlanta, Dslr monochrome. 8. Avondale Marta Station, Dslr monochrome.