Today we’d like to introduce you to Johnna Williams.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Johnna. So, let’s start at the beginning, and we can move on from there.
Ever since I was little, I always knew I liked photography. Growing up, I would participate in my local county fair photo contest. My photos would consist of flowers and longhorns. My photos would almost always have the big blue ribbon on them after the judges made their rounds.
Walking into the exhibit hall seeing my photos with blue ribbons sparked a light within me. Each year, I would try to capture more detailed and unique photos, and I guess it worked, the blue ribbons never stopped. After a few years of being in the county fair photo contest’s, I asked my parents for my own “big girl” camera. My first camera was a Canon Rebel T3. I received this camera while in Colorado.
Instantly I started shooting anything and everything from beautiful waterfalls and Mountains in Estes Park to bumblebees on flowers in the driveway. I was amazed by the pictures I have captured with my new camera. Everyone always had positive comments about my photos and work, but one day someone asked when I would start portraits.
I had never thought about doing portraits before. I thought to myself, it can’t be any different from nature and landscape. Right? Oh, boy was I wrong. My first portrait session taught me a lot. From making sure your client is not wearing hair ties on their wrist, too much sun exposure, or too much shade, and etc… I was not very happy with the quality of photos, but I learned from my mistakes and got better each session.
Shortly after educating myself on portraits, I began to take on senior portrait sessions for my friends which led to new clients I have never met. Everyone just loved my work. I started to receive emails and calls for more sessions, I could hardly keep up with all my clients. Being so overwhelmed while being a senior in high school and having so many clients, my mom suggested I get a website to better my photography and engage with my clients on a professional level.
So I took my mothers advice and created a website. I was able to create booking calendars, invoices, and engage with my clients. A year later, I am a freshman in college trying to run my own photography business while being a full-time student. I had a few sessions here and there. But one day a local breeder called and asked if I would be the photographer for his livestock show. I had exhibited cattle for over ten years but being in the ring taking pictures of the youth exhibitors really sparked my passion for livestock photography.
Capturing the moments of shaking the judge’s hand to a love tap on your cattle’s head really inspired me. If it were not for being the photographer at the show, I would not be where I am today. I have had the privilege to photograph many livestock shows including 2017 and 2018 Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America World Expo and the 2018 Clear Creek ISD Livestock Show and Auction.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Overall, I would say it has been a smooth ride. I have been very blessed to have worked for many clients and organizations that have led to more opportunities. There will always be times when I will not have any bookings.
During those times, I will just take my camera and capture subject that I see differently from others. While being a senior in college, I do not have a lot of time for sessions, but I do try my best to make my schedule fit the clients during the school year.
Please tell us about Shooting J Photography.
Shooting J Photography is a small business in League City, TX. I offer family, lifestyle, livestock, and senior portraits, I specialize in senior and livestock photography. I am known for my senior portraits in League City and Livestock photography across Texas. I am most proud of how far Shooting J Photography has come.
Being a student in college and successfully running a business that started as a hobby in middle school is inspiring and self-motivating. A huge accomplishment forms my business would be being awarded First Place on the People Category at the 10th Annual Sam Houston Museum Photo Contest.
Shooting J Photography has also been published in Texas Longhorn Trails Magazine and Brazos County Magazine, I would say, my style and work ethic sets me apart from others. I make sure every detail is perfect while getting photos to clients in a short amount of time.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite memory from childhood would have to be when I was eight years old. I was at the TLBAA World Show with my longhorn steer Rimmy. We were in the ring for showmanship, and I another exhibitors calf got away.
All the other exhibitors were getting scared and starting to lose control of their calves. I was one of few who remained still and kept my steer setup for the judge. Everyone was so proud of me because I stayed still and kept showing. But little did they know I was terrified on the inside and had no clue what to do!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shootingjphotography.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shootingjphotography/?eid=ARAvVSWwuA-CzK3UUN6dQPT7JUAbMw285VyGGhWvTAx50RrNzajizh_ckvjFs_DfFIH8QidpWc4Njljz
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