Meet the witty, charming, and very talented artist behind Ayres Photography!
We are proud to introduce the incredibly talented Brian Johnson of Ayres Photography. Brian's images are emotional and thought provoking, but it doesn't stop there. Brian is also an educator in Montana, teaching other photographers the ins and outs of running their business. He has a unique perspective for the photography world, and embraces the whimsy. Read on for a closer look at this creative genius at work.
1. If we asked you to photograph one part of yourself, what would it be and why? My brain, but that would hurt. So the next suitable option would be my butt. I don't know what it really looks like.
2. If you could photograph any person, dead or alive, who would you choose?
Well, I would prefer that the dead person be alive but I think it would have to be Marilyn Monroe. I have never thought she was beautiful and if I had a chance to photograph her maybe I would see what others do.
Well, I would prefer that the dead person be alive but I think it would have to be Marilyn Monroe. I have never thought she was beautiful and if I had a chance to photograph her maybe I would see what others do.
3. What do you think about the future of the photography industry?
The future of the photography industry is just a repeat of the past. If you study the past you can interpret the future. Technology will change. Cameras will get better. Photographers will fail and succeed. There will always be a need for some type of professional photography and it will be done by the photographers who continue to grow and develop.
The future of the photography industry is just a repeat of the past. If you study the past you can interpret the future. Technology will change. Cameras will get better. Photographers will fail and succeed. There will always be a need for some type of professional photography and it will be done by the photographers who continue to grow and develop.
4. If you could give just one piece of advice to an aspiring photographer, what would that advice be?
Shoot and shoot and shoot. The more you shoot, the better you get. If you want to be good at playing the guitar, you don't go to a guitar lesson and then not practice. You go home from your lesson and you practice. Same with photography. Get some knowledge and then take action and use that knowledge. Practice. Make mistakes and learn from them. Don't give up.
Shoot and shoot and shoot. The more you shoot, the better you get. If you want to be good at playing the guitar, you don't go to a guitar lesson and then not practice. You go home from your lesson and you practice. Same with photography. Get some knowledge and then take action and use that knowledge. Practice. Make mistakes and learn from them. Don't give up.
5. Do you think photography can be a learned skill? Or is there more to it than that? Do you feel an innate talent must be present for success as a photographer?
It can be learned. Some might have more of a gift but when it come to photography there is a lot more than just pointing and shooting. It's who you are. If you look closely at work of other photographers you can who they are reflected in their work. You can see pain, joy, despair. Every time you take a photo you share part of yourself with someone else. Those who are good at sharing themselves will have better images. Photography is a from of expression. Being honest with who you are will help you become a great artist.
It can be learned. Some might have more of a gift but when it come to photography there is a lot more than just pointing and shooting. It's who you are. If you look closely at work of other photographers you can who they are reflected in their work. You can see pain, joy, despair. Every time you take a photo you share part of yourself with someone else. Those who are good at sharing themselves will have better images. Photography is a from of expression. Being honest with who you are will help you become a great artist.
6. What do you consider to be a successful portrait?
Haha! I guess it depends on how you define success. I want to show people I value them. I want to learn their story. I want to let them know they are special. If you can give that to someone you will get to see their soul and only then can you give them something they will love. I was once told that a mother cried when she saw how beautiful her daughter looked in a shot. That was a success to me. It made me feel special.
Haha! I guess it depends on how you define success. I want to show people I value them. I want to learn their story. I want to let them know they are special. If you can give that to someone you will get to see their soul and only then can you give them something they will love. I was once told that a mother cried when she saw how beautiful her daughter looked in a shot. That was a success to me. It made me feel special.
7. How did you discover your style and who you are as a photographer? Are you still making discoveries about yourself and your work?
I don't know that I have a specific style. I am always evolving. I don't want to stay the same. I want to grow and change. I think when you find a style and stick with it you are hindering the creative process. Change and growth are part of life and they should be part of photography. Don't become stale. It's the fastest way to destroy a career.
I don't know that I have a specific style. I am always evolving. I don't want to stay the same. I want to grow and change. I think when you find a style and stick with it you are hindering the creative process. Change and growth are part of life and they should be part of photography. Don't become stale. It's the fastest way to destroy a career.
8. How do you stay focused and overcome the doubts and challenges experienced by most everyone in this industry?
Doubts and challenges? That is a challenge to me. I have learned to enjoy the struggle. I look at it as a character building experience. There was a time when I had no food. I ate popcorn and protein drink mix for three weeks when I first went full time. I didn't enjoy it but I did appreciate it. It's kind of a motivator. After something like that you know you can go through anything.
Doubts and challenges? That is a challenge to me. I have learned to enjoy the struggle. I look at it as a character building experience. There was a time when I had no food. I ate popcorn and protein drink mix for three weeks when I first went full time. I didn't enjoy it but I did appreciate it. It's kind of a motivator. After something like that you know you can go through anything.
9. How do you approach learning the business aspects of photography?
Haha!! Well since I own Missoula Photography School, I have a very direct approach. I spend an hour a day on education. I have to know things back and forth so I can explain them to others. When it come the business side?? I took ten years off from shooting to learn business. I realized after shooting for several years that most will fail because they don't know how to market or budget or where to spend money. I tell my students all the time that when I have choice between spending money on food or marketing, I choose marketing. It always works out that when I spend my money on marketing, I have more money to spend on food in a day or so.
Haha!! Well since I own Missoula Photography School, I have a very direct approach. I spend an hour a day on education. I have to know things back and forth so I can explain them to others. When it come the business side?? I took ten years off from shooting to learn business. I realized after shooting for several years that most will fail because they don't know how to market or budget or where to spend money. I tell my students all the time that when I have choice between spending money on food or marketing, I choose marketing. It always works out that when I spend my money on marketing, I have more money to spend on food in a day or so.
10. If you had the opportunity to ask any photographer a question, what and who would you ask?
I would ask Robert Capa: "Where should we have lunch?"
I would ask Robert Capa: "Where should we have lunch?"