Today’s ‘In Focus’ feature is with Denise Johnson, a photographer based in California who is living proof that if you follow your dreams, big things can happen! Here, she shares her story and a glimpse of her ever-growing portfolio…
left: Nolan Richards, right: Jaime Miranda
My photography journey started when I was a kid and had exposure to my father’s camera. He taught me some things. When I was 8, I ended up winning a Polaroid camera. Then when I was 11, tragedy struck and I lost my father. I wanted nothing to do with photography, cameras, etc. Fast forward many years later, my father-in-law (who shared a birthday with my father) bought me a camera. I thought to myself, ‘What in the world am I going to do with this?’ Well, 10 months later my friend begged me to take some maternity photos for her, so I did. That December I launched my business. I named it DJ’s Photography because even though my father is no longer with me I totally feel he guided me this whole time. It symbolizes both our initials. Thank you, Daddy, for always guiding me!! Love and miss you all the time. In 2023, I got the absurd but brilliant idea to combine my two biggest passions (photography and music) and ran with it. I literally jumped in blindly and worked on building my portfolio.
top row: Kilborn
bottom left: Santos & Celinda of unpolished*, bottom right: Michael
In late 2024, I joined Highwire Daze Magazine and slowly worked my way up to be offered the Assistant Editor position. There have been so many amazing opportunities and I have had the privilege to work with so many musicians and meet some really cool people. It has opened other doors. I can’t wait to keep growing and working with many more.
top left: Sierra Levesque, top right: Charlotte
middle row: Will & Max of Invile, bottom row: Savanna of Invile
In 2025, pushing myself definitely resulted in some very cool, unexpected opportunities, including becoming Assistant Editor for Highwire Daze, having one of my photos used as a Spotify single release and appearing on a CD cover for Bad Americans. I also had the privilege to photograph a small Southern California Tour with Echo Spine, which resulted in becoming the band’s exclusive photographer.
Echo Spine (top left: Jake, top right: Thumper)
I started 2026 with a cool experience with ‘my band’ Echo Spine, they got to perform at one of NAMMs after-parties at The Grand Theater in Anaheim, CA. I am super thankful they brought me along, and it was an experience I will never forget.
I have some exciting aspirations for 2026, and I can’t wait…
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A massive thank you to Denise for giving us an insight into her world and photography! You can check out more of her work and follow her adventures on Instagram; link below:
Instagram: denj1219
Published 22nd April 2026
Breaking Glass Magazine 