Meet Tariq Johnson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tariq Johnson.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Tariq. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I began my journey as a photographer a few years ago after picking up an old fuji film camera my girlfriend had stored away. Being a sketch artist and painter, I was curious to see how my artistic vision would be conveyed through the lens of a camera. I went out every night and began photographing everything I found to be interesting, whether that was people, buildings or a graffiti-covered dumpster.

I just fell deeply in love with photography. I eventually knew that I would have to become more specific with what I photographed and find a sort of niche for myself. For a short while, I shot architecture and real estate, but I knew deep down that wasn’t where my interests lie. I realized photographing people would allow me to combine my admiration for unique personalities and my interest in fashion. After deciding where to apply my talents, I was better able to analyze my work and begin to truly improve. Now two years later, I’ve started my photography business and I couldn’t be more thrilled for what the future holds.

Has it been a smooth road?
Overall I would say its been a smooth road. Of course, every new chapter has its hardships, but so far, I haven’t run into any obstacles I couldn’t predict would occur. I’ve found that striving to be calculated while being aware of what has trapped other artists has allowed me to avoid potential disasters. I am still early on in my pursuit toward mastering my craft and even though I haven’t run into many issues, I don’t expect the road to be an easy one forever. So all I can do is prepare for the worst and utilize those failures in a productive manner.

We’d love to hear more about your work.
I am Tariq Johnson Photography. I specialize in fashion and portrait photography and am known for my minimalistic and emotive imagery. I would say I’m most proud of starting this new company, finding the courage to build something that is my own. To me is a celebration in itself. What sets me apart from the others in my field is my work ethic, creativity and consistency. I work extremely hard to create images that are minimal, engaging and unique.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
With smartphones basically making any person a “photographer”, I think we will see a shift in what it really means to be a photographer. This may result in working photographers being undervalued but at the same time, may create a new surge of creativity among the competitive spirits within the photography community. I think we’ll also see a rise in photojournalism. With cameras becoming more accessible, we’ll be exposed to more diverse narratives. It’s going to be a crazy ride as photographers and people with cameras find their place in a world driven by imagery.

Contact Info:

• Website: tariqjphotos.com
• Email: tariqjphotos@gmail.com
• Instagram: @itstariqjohnson

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