Today we’d like to introduce you to Johanna Falk.
Hi Johanna, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I remember looking at some photos my older brother took of literal dirt from our garden back when I was around 13 years old, and I was just in awe of what he had captured. Minutes later I was outside trying to capture similar stuff or just interesting objects from my parent’s garden and I’d like to believe I never put down the camera ever since. I was definitely shooting flowers and nature stuff for the first couple of years until I finally got my own camera and started venturing out. Had a couple of questionable (lol!) photoshoots with my friends and cousins but I always kept shooting during all these years. With a growing interest in photography, I started taking classes in school when I was 16, and right after I graduated at 18, I decided to move to Santa Barbara CA, all the way from Sweden which is where I am born and raised. My original plan was to study photography for 1 year and then go back home but I ended up getting my degree and moved to LA in 2016 and now 9 years later I am still here. I have always been quite introverted and it was definitely holding me back from shooting with models and clients in general hence why I didn’t get into shooting more seriously with models until around 2017. Now, it is the only thing I shoot and I wouldn’t have it any other way because I get to meet some beautiful and inspiring people.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not smooth, moving across the globe all alone is not an easy decision on its own, and not having a real support system has been a struggle for me because the majority of the time, I’ve been dealing with stuff by myself. I got married at a very young age and went through a divorce not long ago after a couple of rough years so just going through all this and simultaneously wanting to grow my business has not been an easy ride. With me struggling mentally it’s been nearly impossible at times to focus on my career and other important stuff and for so long I was just completely out of it rethinking multiple times if this is what I am really meant to be doing. Honestly, there are still days when I am wondering if maybe I am supposed to be doing something else with my life. Although, photography and the whole editing process is the only thing I have ever done that makes me lose track of time. Nothing better than finishing a great shoot and going straight back home to edit while listening to a good playlist and having some wine… I think that no matter what you end up doing there will always be obstacles you have to go through, the outcome all just depends on how you decide to overcome them and move forward. Anyways, I am trusting the road ahead, wherever it may take me. All the obstacles we go through are for a reason and they will either be a lesson or a blessing.
If I could be more precise with some challenges: Building a good clientele is hard, it takes a lot of time, niching down can be hard, especially when you feel like you can shoot it all or you are just like me, super indecisive. It’s also important to know that there will be weeks or months that might be super slow, so basically no guaranteed income. Most importantly, you gotta be self-disciplined like crazy because there’s nobody but you that will get the job done.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I shoot mostly portraits and lifestyle. I work with models and influencers for the most part, occasionally with brands. I’m most proud of the diversity in my work and that people always acknowledge me for that. It’s important to show that you are able to shoot different types of bodies and different skin colors not just all the same. I think that sets me apart because when asking my clients why they decided to book with me that’s one of their main reasons and I definitely take pride in that. To me, everybody is beautiful and I want my clients to be comfortable and confident in knowing I can give them what they want, no matter their look or where they come from because that should be the least of someone’s worries.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Send me a message through my website or my Instagram. Support me by booking a shoot, sharing my work, giving me a follow, or just showing some love! It is all very much appreciated.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.johannafalk.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/johannafalkphotography
