Introducing Johnna Brynn! Our Missouri ” 50 | 50″ photographer.
Well, here it is! Our first 50 | 50 Photographer post! We’ve been compiling a list of our favorite photographers from each of the 50 United States and we’re beginning with a great photographer from Missouri, Johnna Brynn. This Missouri Photographer is a travel, lifestyle, wedding, fashion, portrait, and commercial shooter with some great work and a very nice, clean website. She’s also started an incredible non-profit organization that provides the tools for children to express themselves through photography called Star Shooter. Here are a few shots of Johnna’s favorite work.
We were able to ask Johnna a few questions about herself as a photographer, and here are her answers.
How did you get into photography?
Photography got into me. I was fascinated with picture-taking since childhood. Of course, that’s what you hear most photographers say, but it’s true. I then put the camera on the shelf to pursue other passions in life, like helping children. I was a social worker for 6yrs. After a handful of years, I picked the camera back up again and went traveling around the world. My camera exploded with creativity and “photography got into me” again. I considered life was too short to let the camera collect dust, therefore I started my own business March 2009.
What do you love about photography?
The way I can call forth someone’s destiny. I can declare a beauty within the person that they or others may not have seen. (more in detail in last question)
What’s your favorite type of photography? (weddings, portraits, commercial, etc.)
I have always loved travel photography, as I grew up overseas as a missionary kid, and was continually amazed at the beauty of culture. Since I’ve become a “professional,” I am learning more about what I like. I’ll always love to photograph children, and I have recently discovered I love the beauty of two people in love… so weddings are quickly becoming my new favorite.
Who’s been your biggest influence as a photographer?
The internet. All the photographers that are on the internet. Seriously, if I hadn’t been exposed to so many photographers online proudly displaying their portfolios, I may just not have believed I could do it too. I do have to admit my mad obsession with Sarah Rhoads http://sarahrhoads.com. She seems to shoot from her core, and that’s what I aspire to do. Live and shoot from who I am and what I’ve been put on this earth for -to encourage others to see their beauty and to live fully in that.
What piece of advice would you give to any aspiring photographer?
JUST DO IT. I heard Jasmine Star http://jasmine-star.com once say “I’d rather fail at something I love, than succeed at something I hate.
What has been your favorite moment during a shoot so far?
It’s actually that moment right after I’m done with a shoot, that I’m in love with. The gratification is overwhelming, when I feel I’ve “captured” someone’s beauty that was hiding and it’s all in my camera ready to be exposed.
Explain star-shooter a little.
“Star Shooter: phototherapy for kids” is a 501c3 nonprofit organization I founded in July 2008. The mission is to equip children with a tool for expression using photography and allow them the opportunity to discover the “star” within themselves. I have invitations in 2010 to work with kids in China and S. Africa, which I am very excited about. Learn more about Star Shooter on our website: http://starshooter.org.
Who’s the one celebrity that you would die to photograph?
To be honest, I’ve never thought about it. I’m honored to photograph anyone.
I noticed you’re a canon shooter. Does that mean you’re a fellow Nikon hater? (you don’t need to answer that : ))
Nooooo, never a hater of anything! (well, ok, maybe a PC-hater. ha!) I actually shot with a Nikon up until I got the 5DM2 this summer. I believe it doesn’t matter what brand you have, it’s all just a tool in assisting your creations.
What do you strive to do with every picture that you take, what emotions do you try to envoke?
Great question. That’s exactly what I try to do every time. Evoke emotions. I try to evoke those emotions that I see so clearly within a person that they often times hide. I guess I better mention I have a Master’s in Psychology, and sometimes I just can’t help but to analyze a person while I shoot and attempt to “call out their destiny.” To call out that person I believe God created them to be, and let them see clearly the beauty that exists within them.
Make sure to keep an eye on this insanely great photographer and what she’s doing for the world of photography!
Johnna Brynn
Thank you Johnna for allowing us to share your passion!
THANKS GUYS SO MUCH for allowing me to share! You rock hard!
[...] http://www.12-1photographyblog.com/2010/01/johnna-brynn-missouri-photographer/Who’s the one celebrity that you would die to photograph? To be honest, I’ve never thought about it. I’m honored to photograph anyone. I noticed you’re a canon shooter. Does that mean you’re a fellow Nikon hater? … [...]
I LOVE Johnna! Her work is amazing, and she just is a kind soul! Everyone would be lucky to know her!!!
I will definately keep an eye on this lightwriter! She is the “bomb”! And I would love to have her shooting for me in any situation. She has a special knack for composition, and also the editing side of things. Just check out her portfolio and see for yourself!
I have follow Johnna’s work and it is fantastic …!!
Resources like the one you mentioned here will be very useful to me! I will post a link to this page on my blog. I am sure my visitors will find that very useful.
Girl, you’re AWESOME! Love the interview!
I worked with Johnna for a couple of years at Gillis and she is a most ethical person. I am so happy that she has found another passion. I sure wish I could travel with her to the far reaches of the world. I enjoyed the pictures and hope to see more of them in the future. And I will remember to hire her when I need a photographer. I will just have to schedule the event around her availability!
Thank you all very much for such incredibly kind and encouraging words! …Betsey! Nice to hear from you! I’m back in KC, so will have to stop in at Gillis sometime…
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Great Article…
Johnna photographed our family a while ago, and I’ve never been so excited to share & frame photos of my children. She flowed with us so well, and instead of structuring the session to suit her pre-conceived ideas, she observed–camera in-hand–and captured the life of our family on photo paper. Beautiful.
awwww, Eve! Thanks!!!
[...] Missouri 50|50 Photographer – Johnna Brynn {Kansas City Photographer} [...]
i love your photographs, especially the one of the child.
you have such a great eye
thanks for sharing