Today we’d like to introduce you to Aaliyah Johnson.
Hi Aaliyah, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Ever since my mom started her photography business, I believe when I started to take interest in photography. I’d get to go with her to photo sessions, watching her work with different people and often helping her. We traveled to a lot of places, such as Native American powwows.
We did it so much that it just became a favorite thing of mine to shoot. It’s so thrilling! I get to see behind the scenes, something not many people get a chance to view. Sometimes I’d sit beside my mom while she edited on her laptop, pointing out the selection of photos I really liked. Sometimes she’d explain the different technical things about a camera or photography in general. I just watched her so much that I wanted to pick up her camera and try it for myself. Now with every chance I get, I just don’t want to take pictures, I really need to! I guess you could say it’s like an addiction. Almost!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I haven’t encountered any challenges. Not yet, at least. I know the road ahead will not always be easy. If there was any lessons I did learn, it would be that photography is simply more than “point and shoot.” A lot of people do not understand how time-consuming it can be.
Especially if it’s running as a business. I am one hundred percent sure my mom could attest to this or any photographer out there. Definitely one hundred kudos to them. I believe that’s one important lesson I’ve learned along the way.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My photography mostly consists of the many dancers at powwows. I am Native American/Indigenous and I am an enrolled citizen of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas.
Powwows are a part of our native culture and it really is my favorite thing! I absolutely love capturing the different styles of dance out there. The faster the dance, the better! I believe the proudest I’ve been in this short time with photography is having my pictures of dancers displayed all the way in Florida on the Miccosukee tribe’s land and at a few art shows! Then being asked to have my work at Miami Art Week just topped it all.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Perhaps it was determination. When I first began, I never thought that I’d be seeing my own work at shows. I thought of it as nothing more than a hobby.
I told myself back then that my work would be seen in art shows, and I probably would have laughed! Everyone tells me to never stop, to keep going. I definitely do not plan on stopping any time soon. People’s encouragement is what drives me.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: Aaliyah Johnson Photography
