This weeks highlighted photographer is David Johnson.

What is your primary camera body?

Graflex Speed Graphic, Graflex Super D, Canon 1DS Mark2.

Two lenses you use the most:

127mm on Graflex cameras and 24-70mm on Canon

Do you shoot RAW?

All my digital is RAW, but I always know what I want the final image to look like before I shoot it.

How would you describe your photography style?

Intense Portraits, often using the environment as a subject in the shots as well. I also leave the door open to "happy accidents" to allow for one-of-a-kind images to happen. I also really strive to make the person show through in the image, so that people who see my images feel like they know the person in the shot.

Do you employ second shooters or assistants?

yes, I use from 1-4 assistants on my still shoots and more for motion. I may have one of them shoot details on a shoot, but usually I'm the only one to shoot.

What do you remember about your first (or one of your first) commercial shoot?

That I was happy to do it and that I probably shouldn't have been doing it. It was a record cover for a small indy band. I didn't even know that there were things you couldn't do, so I kept trying and trying and successfully turned a 2 hour shoot into a 10 hour shoot. I learned quickly that it's a lot different when the whole shoot is on your shoulders instead. But you learn from things like that, and it has lead to me now being a really fast shooter. I often now will have 5 minutes to shoot someone, and they're often running late.

What advice would you give to someone just beginning their career as a photographer?

Pursue your love and the money will follow. Pursue the money and the Love will rarely follow. Always grow and experiment. Take workshops like Santa Fe, especially if someone that you respect and like is teaching it. You will learn a lot and make great friends. Don't be afraid to always want to learn.