Derek Johnson

Denver, CO

Member Since: 12/2/2018

Photography wasn't always my dream but that had changed after suffering injury. As an aspiring young athlete aiming to make it to the pros, my dream came to a halt after an arm injury hindered my future in baseball. True fact: My friend convinced me to join her in the photography class sophomore year. At the time my school didn't offer air conditioning throughout the building, so I thought if I hated it then at least I wouldn’t be completely miserable, ha! Over the course of those years I was curious, eager to learn & had the camera glued to my hands, My childhood was filled with insecurities due to me being overweight, suffering from a stutter, and being an introvert for the most part. Taking images gave me a voice & it was appreciated by others. That was it, I was hooked! I decided to follow my passion and take the next step in my photographic career. In 2012 I earned a BFA in Professional Photography with an emphasis in Commercial Photography from the world renown Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara, CA. I relocated to LA and wanted to experience it all by working for a wide variety of photographers as an assistant, digital tech & retoucher. I had worked on high-end automotive, product, beauty, fashion, food, editorial & commercial photoshoots. All of my past experiences have led to the diverse portfolio that I’ve put together to this day. Through meticulous lighting & a unique perspective, my goal is to create authentic, bold & timeless imagery that further emphasizes the brand or client’s story. Projects range from portraits & products to cars & food, among others. I am a die hard baseball fan. Daily gym go-er. Always listening to music. Seeking my next challenge. Podcasting. Finding ways to help others. Spending time in nature. Pushing my limits. Seeking inspiration. Traveling more. Loving my friends, family, girlfriend & our furry, four legged kid, Pepper.