Artist Spotlight: Jesse Johnson

Image of a mountain goat by Jesse Johnson pictured above.

Jesse Johnson is a photographer and avid hiker based in Spokane, Washington. “I took up hiking about 15 years ago after adopting a long-haired dachshund that had the determination to never stop going. I’m an avid hiker, angler, photographer, and more recently mountaineer.” Jesse offers his prints for sale and as gifts in his local area. 

Jesse Johnson with his dachshund pictured above on a hike.

Jesse has loved photography his entire life. “I’ve always loved photography. The idea that you can capture a moment in time and relive it again despite our own memory or interpretations.” As a photographer, he enjoys capturing his surroundings when hiking. “Being a hiker and always wanting to cover more ground, I always struggled with the idea of heavy cameras and sitting for that perfect moment. Instead I try to capture what is around me with nothing more than a cell phone camera. Capturing my surroundings as true as how I saw them at that moment.” 

Image by Jesse Johnson pictured above.

A favorite piece of his is one he took of Glacier Peak in Washington. “A picture I took of Glacier Peak, Washington’s most remote active volcano. It was following a summit climb returning back to camp 2 after a storm hit us. The storm had gone and the clouds were hovering through the base of the mountain moments before white out conditions.” In his work, he enjoys taking photographs of his dog during hikes. “I always loved taking pictures of my dog hiking. To see a little dachshund hiking so intensely; I always told myself if she can do it, I can do it.” When beginning a new project or piece, he doesn't strive for perfection. “I never really set out to take a perfect picture. They just present themselves to you. You just have to put yourself out there.” 

Image by Jesse Johnson pictured above.

To aspiring photographers, Jesse encourages not letting conditions impact your work. “Don’t let weather be a determining factor in not doing something you love.” He discovered Golden State Art through a YouTube video on our channel. “I watched a YouTube video of how to attach mating to backing board. I love the availability and affordability of quality products which allows me to share my art with others.”