Today we’d like to introduce you to Misty Johnson.
Hi Misty, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I fell in love with photography when I was in high school. I took a photography class in 11th grade and loved it! It wasn’t until I had my first child in 2008 were I really found a love for photography. I remember buying my first professional camera. I would photograph my daughter all the time when she was little. I had no clue what I was doing but I would play around with the camera and the settings. I would go to the library and get photography books for beginners. I was eager to learn and become good. Mainly because I was a stay-at-home mom and I couldn’t afford to pay someone else for photos. A few years after being my family’s dedicated photographer, I started to notice other people asking me if I would take photos of them and their families. So I played around with the idea of opening my own business. I would do free sessions at first to gain my clientele and for practice and experience. On March 20th, 2012 I opened “Leanne Marie Photography”, which back then was called “Johnsons Photography” a year after that I ended up changing the name to something more special to me. Leanne Marie Photography’s name came from really thinking hard about what is special and important to me. I realized that this whole journey started because of my kids. So I decided to take both of their middle names and make them my business name. It flowed very beautifully together and I knew from the moment I said it out loud that it was going to be my business name. I would definitely say without my 3 children and my husband I wouldn’t be where I am today. I also know I wouldn’t be standing here today as a well-known photographer in my community without all the hard work I have put into this. It’s truly my passion and I love it more than anything else I do in my life.
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?
Absolutely not! Any photographer that says it has been lying! I think a lot of people think being a photographer is easy because you “just” snap photos but it’s so much more than that! It’s hard work, especially for the ones who put everything into their business. I had to self-taught myself a lot of knowledge I know about photography. Not only are you a photographer and have to learn the camera, settings, lighting, and editing but you also have to learn business tactics. Photography doesn’t just come with a business team (Unless you hire them) You have to learn how to be a business and how to market yourself and it’s hard. Especially because the marketing field is so different these days. Some would say it’s easier and better for photographers now to market their business but I think it’s harder now because the photography world is so saturated. You really have to find your niche and market to those people. You have to learn so many things when it comes to photography and having your own business. Most photographers are self-taught so you really have to do a lot of research on how to run a successful photography business.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I mainly specialize in families, children, and maternity. couples, weddings, and sports. I love photographing anything though and there aren’t many jobs I would turn down. I’ve had a lot of success with my work over the years but there have been a few moments that were big highlights for me and LMP. I love photographing activist/protest real-world situations. I really love photographing what is important to others. I was able to photograph 2020 the wrongful death of George Floyd protest in downtown Columbus, Ohio. Which was huge. Not only was this project so special to me but it is some of my best work to date. I photographed everything in B&W to symbolize that racism is still very alive today. The images were beautiful and the worlds agreed. My photos from that day and from a few days before with another project I did regarding race with children and how the world views colored children vs non-colored children went viral. Millions of people not only were seeing my work but also shared it as well. I was shocked but I was so happy that my work was resonating with others. The images I took were very controversial and powerful. I did receive a lot of hate but also a lot of love. The images I took were able to open up a dialogue that needed to be spoken upon. It was beautiful and this is why I do what I do. Another big highlight of my career was being about to photograph a big event for Ohio State Football Player Justin Fields. I was the main photographer for the event and It was awesome. Besides photography, College football is another passion of mine and the fact I was able to bring both of my passions together was amazing! I was with fields all day just photographing him with the youth at a youth day football camp. It was so cool and I was definitely “fan Girling” over him. He was even nice enough to get a selfie with me.
My Christmas Mini sessions are also really cool events we put on every year. The holidays are already stressful enough than having to find a good photographer for a good price because let’s face it, it’s Christmas photos! They shouldn’t be crazy expensive. We put on a whole event for the “Leanne Marie Photography Annual Christmas Mini Session Event”. I love giving back to people and my community. My mini sessions are how I get to do that. I understand that not everyone can afford my regular prices. So my Mini sessions are great for everyone. They are affordable and you get beautiful images. My Christmas Minis usually start in November and go through until two weeks before Christmas. It’s for selective dates only. They usually sell out within minutes of the link to sign up goes out. We have Christmas music, food, cookies, hot cholate, gifts for the kiddos, and crafts for the kiddos as well. This year we are doing “Letters to Santa” & some type of arts and craft table. It’s a really cool event and my clients look forward to it every year. It’s so much more than just coming and getting Christmas photos taken. I also have my clients bring a new toy for Toys for tots. Per toy they bring me, I will gift them with 1 free image. Last year we were able to donate over 250 gifts for toys for tots. How amazing! I seriously love this job and I have been fortunate to have a great career so far.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
I think there are a lot of great mentors out there for other photographers. I have had the pleasure of working beside a lot of other great photographers.
Pricing:
- Family Sessions start at $399 and go up
- I run Mini Sessions throughout the year for families who can’t always afford my normal prices. I love giving back to the community and my mini sessions are how I do that. My Mini sessions are $150
Contact Info:
- Website: https://leannemariephotographyco.zenfoliosite.com/
- Instagram: www.Instagram.com/LeanneMariePhotographyCo
- Facebook: www.Facebook.com/LeanneMariePhotography17
