Michelle Ranee Johnson Photography

Artist Statement: 

As a photographer, my goal is to have people imagine they could walk right into my photographs and feel themselves present at that location. I want to inspire others to not only explore their world but to have the desire to protect it - from vast panoramic landscapes to scaling rock faces down to the intimate details of geologic patterns to the tiniest of subjects. This world is beautiful, and I hope my work can provide hope amidst the chaos and destruction we see daily on the news. 

Bio

I have my Masters in Geology (focusing on volcanoes) and am exceptionally knowledgeable on the eastern Sierra Nevada as well as Mineral King, CA. When I was about 9 years old, my best friend in elementary school invited me to join her at her family's old mining cabin in Mineral King, CA called the Crowley Cabin. Being up there in that magnificent place began my journey of a great love for the outdoors, geology, and photography. And then a geology trip to New Zealand and Australia and then to the Eastern Sierra prompted me even further to be grateful for our amazing planet and to want to explore as much as I can. This beautiful Earth we live on beckons me to explore and capture its beauty. Hope you enjoy how I view the world.

I love my dog Bart, and he travels with me pretty much everywhere now. He loves being out in nature as much as I do (as you will see in some of the photos). I am also an avid rock climber.

Hope you enjoy my work! 

Expertise

I (she/her) am a landscape, nature and adventure photographer who is available for commissions. I have won 10 editor's favorites on National Geographic Yourshot. I have also won numerous awards on Viewbug and Gurushots. I was a participant in the 2018 Rock and Ice Photo Camp and have a photo from the camp featured in Rock and Ice's Ascent 2019. I have also been commissioned by Mad Rock and Rocktape and have worked with numerous other companies (such as Arc'teryx and Tentsile). I am now a Sierra Designs Ambassador. This past November 2019, my piece "The Parched Earth" was chosen by National Geographic Yourshot to be put on exhibit at Photofest in San Miguel de Allende for their assignment "A Planet in Balance." A dream come true for me. 

I am always trying to improve my craft, whether it be technical expertise or artistic. There is so much to learn and to explore in this field that the possibilities are endless.