Today we’d like to introduce you to Janaye Johnson.
Hi Janaye, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
I first got started doing photography in high school for our school yearbook. I fell in love with it quickly. While taking generals in college I decided photography was something I wanted to pursue more seriously, so I moved from UofM Duluth to Minneapolis to attend MCTC’s photography program. One night while lying in bed looking at Instagram I saw that Andy Kenutis (head photographer for the Vikings) had just posted a new photo and that he had recently replied to someone who commented on the photo, so, I thought I would shoot my shot as well. I commented on his photo that I would love to just talk to him about his journey, process, and really just pick his brain.
To my surprise, he invited me to come down and meet him at training camp in Mankato. Because I was a poor college student the thought of paying for gas to get down there as well as having to rent a lens immediately sent me into a slight panic, but I also knew I couldn’t miss this opportunity. So a couple of friends and I jumped in the car and headed down to Mankato. I was in awe of getting to meet and shoot around with Andy that day during practice. He even let me use his huge lens for a bit and I remember thinking how in the world does he shoot with this thing?! Of course I had to have him get a quick shot of me shooting with it (which would be my profile picture for years).
From that day on, I remained in contact with Andy throughout the years. About once a year he would give me a pass to shoot a game and each time I felt it was crucial to do a better job than the last and continue to fight for a spot on the team. Then it happened; the Vikings made the playoffs and had a home game that would determine their fate. Andy needed an extra set of hands to help capture fan experience. So no, it wasn’t the glamorous, be on the sidelines shooting action, type of job, but, my motto has always been to be the best at whatever I am doing, so I went into it thinking, ok, I’m going to take the best photos of the fans that anyone has ever seen. That game was one to remember for many reasons as Stefon Diggs made a last-minute play to win the game that is now dubbed the Minneapolis miracle, and it was also the game that propelled me into shooting all home games from then on out for the Vikings.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Obviously, being a freelance artist is a difficult journey in itself. You might have multiple jobs in a month but you also might not be able to find work for a month. I couldn’t even tell you how many times I’ve questioned if I should stick with it or go get a 9-5 with guaranteed pay and benefits. I think the hardest part of this journey for me has been trying to find the right path for me, and encouraging myself to keep going through those low times.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a photographer that specializes in lifestyle, sports, fashion and portraiture. I think what sets me apart from other photographers is my curiosity of people in general. If you have ever sat in a crowded area and just people watched then you know what I’m talking about. I have a huge desire to really know about others; what their life is like, how they experience the world, what motivates them, who they are as a person and what makes them tick. I think this comes into play a lot when I work with professional athletes because I don’t want to just photograph them on the field making plays, I want to get to know them, build their trust, and then capture real-life moments of them off the field. Those are the type of photos I am most proud of because those photos aren’t entrusted to just any photographer off the street, but rather someone trusted to tell their story and showcase who they are off the field/behind closed doors.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Of course, I am forever grateful to Andy Kenutis for giving me a shot. Without him, I would not be where I am at today. He forever altered the path of my whole life. He continues to be a huge supporter and inspiration for me. The way he sees the world and captures moments is stunning. I look up to him in so many ways.
I have to also thank Stefon Diggs for being the first player to open the door to shoot off-field work. In 2019 he invited me to photograph his birthday dinner where I was able to break bread with some of the guys on the team and I really think that validated me as a trusted person to work with and from there I began working with more and more of the guys off the field.
Mike Hughes gave me some of my first chances of shooting lifestyle and off-season workouts which I will be forever grateful for.
Of course, I also have to mention Irv Smith Jr. He has been an instrumental person in my life for so many reasons but one of them being that he has given me opportunity after opportunity to shoot the content that I want to create. He has opened the doors of his life and given me access that I would only dream of having years ago. He has even introduced me to his family and brought me along on family trips and they have all always welcomed me with open arms and I cant tell you how much that means to me.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: JanayeJohnsonPhotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janayejohnson/
