We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Larry Johnson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Larry thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

Photography basics are essential. Studying the masters, attending workshops and seminars, and hands on photographic workshops, are a must to honing one’s skills to a level of artistry, technique and character. My skills as an animal photographer that primarily create images for highly discerning clients in the Cat or Dog fancy (breeders and owners of pedigrees). I do many other animals and non-pedigrees, but my skills are in the study of the different breeds and their characteristics, personalities and standards to create superb images for the web and publications.
One must photograph and critique your work through camera clubs or professional associations (PPA, ISAP) and visually seeing what your clients are looking for, a pet photo or a formal portrait. The skills in lighting, lenses, cameras, formats and animal handling are most necessary. Knowing when to press the shutter at exact time when the animal is relaxed, happy and engaged with you. You must engage with the client and your subject to be able to see what images are best.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Larry was born in Chicago and raised in the suburbs. He played the French Horn & studied music & art in High School & College. He has a BME from Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL.

Larry is based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and offers sessions on location, at shows, and in his home studio.
My beginning into animal photography was by an association with a friend at an outdoor art show (where I was exhibiting my nature images). She needed an image of her cat for a catalogue cover for an upcoming cat show. I proceeded to take really good quality i9mages that were used for the cover and I was invited to attend the cat show to be the photographer. I set a small studio setting for the cats that were attending and photographed them at the show. It seems they liked my approach and vision, so I was invited to other cat shows in the local area. It became apparent that I had the skills to pleaser my clients, but I had to now learn the fine art of when to take the picture and how the outcome will be pleasing and representative of each cat breed.

Larry has 35 years plus experience in handling and photographing animals which has gained him world renown.
Throughout the year Larry visits over 35 different major cities throughout the US, Europe, China and Japan, including his home studio.
I offer many different options, as most prefer digital now for internet use since the ‘film days’. There are combo images, display images, table runners, business cards and canvas and archival wall prints.

His love for photography has allowed him to work with the finest cats in the world, taking him to cities & countries to produce travel-logs and calendars.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Pleasing myself as a photographer and my clients. When they post my images and use them for their wins and accolades, it pleases me to know I have accomplished my goal of capturing my subjects artistically and technically.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Studying the masters of photography (Ansel Adams etc.) is a big key to technique and vision. Now the digital darkroom is a necessity, the skills of being in one gives one the realization that subtlety is needed rather that over processing. Always photograph intensely and see and learn your subject and be discerning to when you release the shutter (as if every image counts).

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.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/
• Other: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057500445837
  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100051865404189
  https://www.facebook.com/myoldephotorestore/