JONATHAN CHERRY: What did you have for breakfast this morning?

KYLE JOHNSON: This morning I had my necessary iced americano and tried a rosemary cheese scone. Usually its just the americano though.

JC: Any emerging artists inspiring you at the moment?

KJ: Theres always so much good inspiration out there. Some people Ive been really into following lately are Michael Donovan and Julia Galdo for fashion work. Shawn Brackbill’s musician portraits & Jake Stangel’s/Cody Cobb’s documentary eyes are incredible.

JC: What is your current project all about?

KJ: I’ve been on the last half of my Portraits Of Seattle series. Basically its environmental portraits of 100 people in Seattle I think are doing interesting stuff. Anywhere from music/art/photography/cooking/community/etc. Each person is featured on my blog with 2 medium format portraits and a short writeup/questions from a local writer Andrew Matson. Its been a fun way to meet and shoot interesting folks and bring people to the blog every Monday to see whose next up on the list.

JC: What initially drew you to photography?

KJ: Initially it was just the desire to document things. Whether it was shooting video or photos I always wanted to record things the way I saw them since I was a little kid. Now I thrive on the feeling of knowing you caught something special as it happens or wondering how something will come out on a roll of film.

JC: What do you like most about photographing people?

KJ: Its hands down my favorite part of photography. Its been said before but shooting people for me is telling someones story with my own twist. Your forced to sometimes make use of a scene or lighting that might not be ideal but you need to always come away with something you are proud of and that shows the subject in a way you want them to be seen. Showing that you made some sort of connection with the person. There are endless types of people and interesting faces so shooting them never really gets old.

JC: What has 2011 got in store for you?

KJ: This should be an exciting year for me. In Seattle, I’m going to keep hustling and shooting a lot of portraits as well as taking more day trips around the NW before my big move. After awhile of contemplating it, 2011 will be the year I make the NYC Jump. The work I want to be doing is based primarily out there and I want to get out there and give it a go. Also very stoked for the launch of a new NW Publication created by www.pacific-standard.com that im very proud to have work in.

JC: Any pearls of wisdom for recent photography graduates?

KJ: Well as a non photo graduate, I would say use whatever resources you have to produce work you are proud of. Put things out there and network. Work your ass off!! Its less about a degree and more about knowing your work is important and relative. In my experience people notice when you are good to work with, and end up coming back or throwing you other jobs. Get along with peers instead of putting off a cocky competitive vibe.

JC: Other thoughts?

KJ: Time for more coffee.