For more information, or to watch the mini-doc "Chisomo Pa Chisomo", go to www.CampChisomo.com
Gear used:
Sony a7s, Sony a6000
Canon FD 50mm 1.8, Canon FD 135mm 2.5, Rokinon 14mm 2.8, Sony/Zeiss 35mm 2.8
Edited in Lightroom CC, with VSCO presets.
For more information, or to watch the mini-doc "Chisomo Pa Chisomo", go to www.CampChisomo.com
Gear used:
Sony a7s, Sony a6000
Canon FD 50mm 1.8, Canon FD 135mm 2.5, Rokinon 14mm 2.8, Sony/Zeiss 35mm 2.8
Edited in Lightroom CC, with VSCO presets.
Late November I travelled with Tim Dodd across the pond for a few days of adventure and then 3 days of work in Ethiopia. Within a span of two weeks, I touched ground in 7 different countries (Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Ethiopia, England, and the good ole USA) - here are a few photos, mostly from the Benelux region and Germany, with (hopefully) accurate captions of where each one was taken.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Rheinbacher Wald, Germany
Rheinbacher Wald, Germany
Wormersdorf, Germany
Rheinbacher Wald, Germany
Wormersdorf, Germany
Hain, Germany
Kobern-Gondorf, Germany
Alken, Germany
Wierschem, Germany
Wierschem, Germany
Moselle River, Germany
Wellmich, Germany
Dinant, Belgium
Bath, England
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We had the joy of photographing some of Cedar Falls' newest residents. These two, one with Georgia roots & the other raised in California, have the beautiful keys of piano to thank for their future marriage & their new home. As we walked with them we heard the adventures they had been on to get them to the place they are today. We laughed with them as we discussed the frigid Iowa winters ahead and smiled as we captured them enjoying this place they now call home.
We were oh so grateful to spend a pretty Fall afternoon with these two. It was a reminder of how big of a gift it is to get to enter into this season of life with couples. We hope these images remind them of their new beginning in Cedar Falls & their excitement for the gifts that are to come.
-Courtney
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My first experience with IF was the the IF: Gathering last February. I joined a local group of women for two days full of learning and asking "what would it look like IF we lived like Jesus?" It was a gift to gather with women of all ages to worship, listen to, and stand in awe of our God. During these two days I was moved, challenged, heard, encouraged, & believed in by these new and old friends.
One of the many important things I walked away with was knowing the importance of gathering around a table. They encouraged the IF: Table, an idea based on Acts 2:46, "They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts." I had recently started meeting every other week with a group of women who I would consider my people. The women who know me through & though, cheer me on, and point me to Truth. We met every other Tuesday to gather around one of our kitchen tables, share a meal, and share our lives.
Gathering around a table has taught me a lot about Jesus. And He has taught me that when we gather, as I prepare food, or share a meal with those who know me, that He does not only nourish my body, but my spirit as well. We can love others by serving them in our kitchen, but we can also love ourselves by taking a place at the table. At this place He feeds us & we choose to honor the fact that He has made us to need Him and others.
Here is a recent piece Neal created for the Cedar Valley's IF: Table. Our hope is that it moves more women to say YES to the table & the work God does there.
-Courtney
These two are near and dear to me for many a reasons, but one is that they were my very first solo shoot without Neal. On thee hottest of July days I got to follow these two around as they danced, laughed, and explored the home that they will soon share. Meanwhile, this friend is holding back all the happy-thankful-"wow, our God is so good" kind of tears behind the camera.
Getting to photograph one of your best friends + her to-be husband as giddy as can be is about as good as it gets. It has been a gift to walk alongside this friend throughout many different seasons the past ten years, but man has this been a sweet one. These were days that we prayed & hoped for. And I am continually awe of the way He has answered those prayers. For it has been far greater than anything we could have asked for.
This weekend these two will say yes to forever with the help of Jesus & I am honored that I get to watch. I can't wait to see how He uses them for His kingdom. However, I have a feeling that Jake + Kayla are going to be bringing the world a whole lot of hope, laughter, encouragement, nerf gun battles, salsa reviews, and joy upon joy.
-Courtney
Sometimes we photograph friends, sometimes we photograph strangers, & sometimes we even photograph strangers who have become friends. In this case we can thank the Eastern Iowa Airport for connecting us to this wonderful family!
We had the great pleasure of spending a Sunday afternoon with this beauty & her sweet parents. It was so refreshing to have a high school senior be so comfortable in her own skin & just have plain 'ol fun as we captured her in a real exciting season. We think these images capture her beauty inside & out and hope that one day they will be joy filled memories of a young lady getting ready to take on the world.
-Courtney
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Goodness, this was fun. This sweet family is spilling over with joy. Their lighthearted energy and the way they laughed together as they wandered around their home had such a charm about it. A charm that makes you excited about and thankful for the gift of family. A gift that takes work, time, and lots of grace.
We felt real lucky to get to capture the Burnett family in THIS season of their family's life. A season of a son heading back to college, a sweet daughter finishing up her last couple years of high school, celebrating a brand new junior higher, and oh so proud parents who's love is still so evident.
We loved getting to grab these moments & hope they are reminders of this season & all it's goodness.
-Courtney
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Hi guys! Courtney Johnson here- excited to share that this girl is officially joining the Neal Johnson Creative team!
This August we not only celebrate our first whole year of marriage, but also a year of Neal Johnson Creative. It has been a big 'ol gift watching Neal say yes to the talents & passions he's been given and run with it. The Lord has opened many a doors for Neal to use his camera to share the stories of many couples, companies, churches, and even children in the beautiful countries of Jamaica & Malawi.
The Lord hasn't just been opening doors for Neal, but for me as well. I never ever would have thought my involvement in Neal's work would pass the assistant side of things. I was content and happy with cheering him on and handing over a lens when needed. However, things didn't stay that way for long. If you know Neal, you know he is real patient. And with that patience he taught this girl the ins and outs of a camera. Teaching me included lots of walks around our neighborhood with a camera in toe, lots of questions be asked multiple times, and lots of Neal quizzing Court. Throughout those months of learning I found myself not only understanding how a camera works, but wanting to use it alongside Neal to capture important moments and tell some stories.
After this summer I have found that I love getting to help Neal tell those stories. I love getting to serve those we are working for. And most of all, I love getting to remind people that their story is worth being captured.
We are real excited and thankful for all the Lord has allowed us to do this past year. Here's to lots more questions being asked, lots more adventures, and lots more beautiful stories being told. Hooray for year two of Neal & Court Johnson and year one for Johnsons Creative!
-Courtney Johnson