Today we’d like to introduce you to Johanna Brinckman.
Hi Johanna, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
The first time I picked up a camera was around 13 years old. My siblings and friends were my first subjects. I used to choose clothes and accessories and orchestrate a whole fashion or beauty shoot – we had a lot of fun. I always had this urge to create, and it was my outlet.
When one of my friends started modeling and showed her agency our photos, they asked me to do photoshoots with their new models.
During and after school, I assisted photographers in the commercial and fashion world and worked at a photographers studio for half a year. I was constantly planning and executing personal photoshoot projects and built the portfolio I used to show on my blog back in the day. That was when my first agents discovered and signed me about two years after graduating.
I then quickly started working for many editorial clients, traveling the world to shoot celebrities and personalities for magazines. I also continued to do many personal photoshoots with people I found interesting to build my portfolio. Many personalities I worked with loved our editorial work and hired me to be the lead photographer for various commercial campaigns, so I could also take root in the commercial world in Europe.
In 2019 I decided to make a move to Los Angeles. I was so excited to soak in all these new things; my eye was almost overwhelmed.
Each day brings so many inspirations for creating images here. The sun makes the most beautiful light I could ask for, and there are unique backdrops everywhere you go.
Moving to another place was essential for me as an artist because I needed to feel this newness and awe again to remind me why this is my biggest passion. I have been able to work with many great personalities here in LA so far, recently signed with an awesome agent (Brooke Embry/BEAM Artists) and I am looking forward to what’s coming!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Oh, being an artist is NEVER a smooth road. I questioned my abilities many times.
When everything comes together, and I look at a final photo shoot, I am joyful, motivated, and purposeful. But change needs courage, and it requires movement. Post-shoot is pre-shoot.
I always want to do better, surprise myself, and love what I do. That comes with setbacks, disappointments, and failure. Working freelance is not an easy job. Sometimes you’re overwhelmed with gigs, and sometimes it’s slow. I often thought: “I am not good enough,” but there has always been one more, “Hey, I got this.” Not stopping is the only thing you can do if you decide to make this a career.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My personality and attitude make me unique, as is my taste for visuals. Most of my work is portraits. I love faces and the energy between me and the personalities when I capture someone’s essence.
It’s a gift to be able to do that. I want to be of service with the talent I have. When I create with people, I want to make them shine and make them feel at home at the same time. We are here together in this moment NOW. I want to make art when I pick up my camera and still be myself and be an ally. I do everything I can for someone to express themselves and capture what I see from my perspective, with my way of looking through my lens. Working with thousands of different people over the last decade, I quickly learned to spot what I think is unique about someone. And I go after that. Everyone has that special something. I feel I am good at my job when I can showcase that and put my artistic stamp on it. That makes me happy and content.
Most importantly: I trust my taste – that is why professionally, people trust me, too. I know what works and what doesn’t, and I will not waste time shooting 100 pictures of something I am not feeling.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
It was always helpful for me to show my work to professionals in the industry, such as artist agents, art directors, and creative directors. But those resources have not always been available.
Even though we live in a digital age and most things happen on the screen, it is also helpful to print your work and make appointments with other creatives to show them.
Regarding networking, I try to reach out to people I want to work with directly and openly. Social media is a great way to connect with other artists. Show people you are there and what you can offer. Never forget that if you are networking, asking for something must be mutually beneficial. I only ask for collaboration if I can deliver a high value for the other person.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.johannabrinckman.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/johannabrinckman
Image Credits
All images © Johanna Brinckman, 2023.
