Bio
I fell in love with photography as a teenager, and for many years I was an avid hobbyist. I had the opportunity to begin working with video production starting in the 1980s, and so my emphasis turned from still photography to video. I worked for many years as a producer, director, editor and cameraman for commercial, broadcast and religious video production. In this time I produced hundreds of national, regional, and local programs as well as national and regional specials and commercials.
While this was an exciting time with travel and I was doing things that most people only dream about there was still a longing for my first love, still photography. So in 2004 I refocused my attention on still photography. I primarily have worked as a wedding and special event photographer since that time. I worked with a partner for 3 years and then started my own photography business in 2007.
At every opportunity I have taken classes, attended seminars, or read books on a variety of subjects about photography and art in order to increase my knowledge and skills. It was at one such class, Georgia School, sponsored by the Georgia PPA, where I had the opportunity to work with Lou Freeman. Lou is an internationally known fashion and glamour photographer with clients like Vogue and Playboy. She is the reason I decided to pursue my MFA. In conversations with her she talked about her education and what it had meant to her and her career. This inspired me to pursue my own educational path.
My love and passion for photography has grown even more since starting my MFA program. The pursuit of fine art photography is now my life.
Curriculum Vitae
Steven D. Johnson
8912 4th Avenue South Birmingham, Alabama 35206
(205) 617-8793
Lifedancephotography.com
Exhibition and Publications:
2017 - Academy of Art University Spring Show
2015 - Gabrella Manor, Birmingham, Alabama, Invitation exhibition
Advertising and Promotion
2007 – 2016 Dancers Fighting Cancer / Children’s Hospital of Alabama / Circle of Hope, 1997 - 2015 Alabama Wedding Magazine, 2010 Southern Bride Magazine, 2008 - 2015 Perfect Wedding Guide, 1997 - 2001 Birmingham Bridal Directory, 2010 Roebuck Spring Historic Preservation Society, Home Tour Guide Book
Related professional experience:
Wedding and Special event photographer
1997 - Present Lifedance Photography, 1994 - 1996 As You Like It Photography
Commercial and broadcast video production from 1981 through 2014 producing, directing, camera, lights and audio (full and part time)
Client List:
City of Birmingham, WABM Channel 68, Midsouth Productions, Alabama School of Fine Art, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Roebuck Springs Historical Society, Alabama Ballet, Birmingham Police Department
Education:
Spring 2017 - Masters of Fine Art in Photography, Academy of Art University
May 1979 - Bachelors of Science in Business Administration and Marketing, Troy University
December 1976 - Associate of Arts in General Studies, Jefferson Davis Junior College
Professional Photographers of America Schools and Classes: Georgia School of Photography 2014 - Compositing with Richard Sturdevant, 2012 - Glamour Photography with Lou Freeman, 2011 - PPA Juror School, 2010 - Studio Lighting with Randy McNeily
Professional memberships/affiliations:
Certified Professional Photographer, PPA , Member of Professional Photographer of America, Wedding and Portrait Photographers International