Joy Johnson

Joy is a photographer, conservationist, and avid adventurer based out of Santa Fe, New Mexico. She specializes in unique and expressive landscapes. Joy's fine art prints combine dramatic photography, vivid colors, and artistic touches to create new, captivating images of the natural world.  With the desert as her main muse, she often hikes deep into the wilderness in search of scenery overlooked by most. 

Spending considerable time in the American Southwest, she has developed a deep love and connection for the deserts and mountains she calls her home.

Artist's Statement:

My interest in photography did not begin with a burning desire to see the world through a camera. It evolved through an intense devotion to wilderness that eventually shaped all parts of my life. The extremes of the desert wilderness offer moments of stark wonder that might remain unknown simply because so few people have the opportunity to see them. Occasionally, everything aligns and I get to bring home meaningful images, but I enjoy every minute of the wilderness regardless of my photographic success. Immersing myself in nature has become a way of life, and I am grateful for the opportunities I have had and I am excited for the experiences to come.

Much of my work has been fueled by a sense of reverence for the natural world and commitment to its conservation. Photography has a strong role in conservation work by highlighting what stands to be lost. I resonate toward images that depict a peaceful coexistence between humans and nature. 

Solitude, for an artist, is almost like elixir. Much time is spent waiting for it, specially in early mornings or very late nights, or the time in between. I experience complete solitude when I’m inthe desert. That’s what deserts do: remove so many of the elements of ‘life’, revealing a blank canvas.