Today we’d like to introduce you to Andre’ Lemont Johnson.
Andre’, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
To understand how I got to where I am now I have to go back to when I was a child. My dad is an artist and taught my siblings and me to draw at a very young age. I loved drawing super hero’s as a child and then focused mainly on portraiture in high school. For years I was a professional portrait artist up until I attended college at Armstrong Atlantic State University. I decided to focus on photography my Junior year of college as a hobby at first. Soon the hobby turned into a side job, then a full time career and Andre Johnson Photography was born. I shoot weddings, head shots, models, families and events. Since I worked for myself it allowed me time to dabble in other art forms. Since the film industry was growing in my area a ton of movies were being filmed and so I would apply to be an extra on set. After two years of being an extra and a stand in for other actors, I decided to shift my focus to full time acting. Over the past three years, I have been in commercials, movies (The Do Over starring Adam Sandler, Baywatch starring The Rock, and Gifted starring Chris Evans, short films, and tv shows.
During that same time, I joined a group who cosplayed which is when you dress up as a character or person from a movie, TV show, or real life and act as that character. You mainly see it at conventions like San Diego Comic Con which I was able to attend last year cosplaying as M’Baku leader of the Jabari Tribe from Black Panther. My cosplay group and I were invited by Ruth Carter, the Head Costume Designer of Black Panther to meet her and her design team during San Diego ComicCon. During that time I started working on a prequel Black Panther Fan Film about M’Baku before Challenge Day called M’Baku From The Mountains. The film is currently done and I’m shopping it around to get some traction in the film industry that will hopefully lead to more acting work and funding for other projects. The inspiration I got from making this film lead me into the creation of Andre Johnson Studios which is my production company that creates and produces films and graphic art.
Has it been a smooth road?
No, not at all!!! When you are going after your goals and dreams it is filled with disappointment, tears, and long nights. I had to learn that not everyone wants you to succeed and that at the end of the day you have to uplift yourself. Another struggle I had was finding my projects. I’m a zero or one hundred kinda guy and if I’m going to do something I’m going to go big and give it my all. But big projects require big funds and finding producers, investors, or just the funds to get the project off the ground was difficult and I had to put a lot of my funds into a few projects which took a toll on my bank account. With struggle comes lessons you can learn from and always do better next time.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I have two businesses but the first business I established was Andre Johnson Photography. Andre Johnson Photography specializes in head shots, modeling photography, weddings, and family photos. I am best known for my modeling work which has me traveling all over the country working with different clients. I am most proud of the growth of the company over the years and being able to provide people with affordable and quality work. What sets me apart from others is me. There are thousands of photographers out there with the same equipment but no one can ever copy my style, work ethic, and vision which shows in my work.
My second and newest business is Andre Johnson Studios which specializes in creating and producing films and graphic art. What I hope to be known for is my visually striking imagery and story telling in both film and our art pieces. I’m most proud of our first short film which is a prequel Black Panther Fan Film about M’Baku before Challenge Day called M’Baku From The Mountains. We had an amazing cast and crew which dumped their heart and souls into this film and I can’t wait to share it with the world. What sets this company apart is that we are willing to push the envelope and do what has not been done before.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Yes, a lot of my business comes out of Atlanta and is a great place to grow. I feel Atlanta is becoming the new Hollywood and rich with many opportunities for a lot of artists overall. I feel Atlanta has tons of movers and shakers all hungry for success. I feel if someone is just starting Atlanta can eat you alive if you aren’t careful or strong minded. I would recommend those who are not as strong business wise to start off in a small city and learn the basics. Then start to visit Atlanta and build solid connect before moving there to increase your chances of success. Atlanta is improving over time, I can not wait to see what Atlanta becomes in years to come.
Contact Info:
- Website: AndreJohnsonPhotography.com
- Email: AndreJohnsonPhoto@gmail.com
- Instagram: Andre Johnson Photography: https://www.instagram.com/andrejohnsonphotography and Andre Johnson Studios: https://www.instagram.com/theofficialandreljohnson/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/_AndreLJohnson
- Yelp: M’Baku From The Mountains Black Panther Fan Film Trailer : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8BTDvWi7xM
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmgrIxv6W12uyghtgDSvhLQ?view_as=subscriber
Image Credit:
Tori Bronston
Christopher Wong
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