Today we’d like to introduce you to Jordan A Johnson.
Hi Jordan, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I am originally from Indianapolis, IN area and I was always into something physically creative. Rather that be hip hop or African dance, tap dance, basketball, event planning, music, etc. I picked up a camera in 2015, always inspired by what I saw on television and film, I am inspired by the works of, Michael Jackson, Prince, Kanye West, Kirk Franklin, Solange Knowles, Lupe Fiasco, Nas, Tony Gilroy, Christopher Nolan, Stanley Kubric, 90’s Spike Lee, Larry David, Denzel Washington,Jeff Trammell, Kevin Feige, Seth Rogen, Sade, Stevie Wonder, The Killers, Andre 3000, Yasiin Bey, and anything capturing the Black experience and documenting what individuals are doing in or for their community in a creative way. I am addicted to compelling storytelling and good music.
I graduated from TSU in 2012, studied marketing. I thought I wanted to work in sports. I studied Sports Marketing, Communications and New Media in grad school at Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies, and I really thought I wanted to work in sports but storytelling, music, photography was all in my head and in my heart, I wanted to get these ideas out. I worked in the WNBA for about 3-4 years, then pivoted to education and whatever social media job would hire me.
I started a YouTube channel “Good Stories: The Video Series” in 2016, capturing my friends and folks within my network about their own creativity, moments of celebration, and anything they deemed good within their own expression. It went well and we ended connecting with Lupe Fiasco through his sister and my good friend Ayesha Jaco when I was living in Chicago and Lupe was so kind (he even posted on Twitter at the time) and that moment told me I had something going.
Good Stories picked up some momentum locally in Indianapolis in 2016-2017, and my good friend Jeff Williams wanted to do a documentary on Be Nimble, and I took the challenge even when I was still teaching myself the craft of videography, photography, editing and the like. We ended up doing two projects with Be Nimble and Jeff put me on a NBA All Star project so my connections, skill set, and preparation was aligning at the right time.
After that I just kept learning and growing, putting myself around those who are great in this area. I was in Chicago for 8 years, moved back Nashville in 2021. I worked for Meharry Medical College for like 4 months, did a social media job at NMAAM for 8 months, worked as a Ophthalmic Photographer at Vanderbilt Eye Institute for 1 year and some change, but the 9-5 ain’t it for me in that type of setting, I was compromising a lot on what I really wanted to do. I worked there to stay in a photography practice, although it had good benefits and good people, I wanted more. So I did one last social media job with The Equity Alliance and that opened up doors for me as well and after my time with them, I went full time in freelance.
However things didn’t start to pick up traction here until about 2022-2023. I did Revolt World in Atlanta in 2023 and my time at National Museum of African American Music as a social media manager opened up connections for me in the creative world. I had my camera wherever I was, learning and growing. My good friend Marcia Masulla saw my work on social media, and we connected then. I did Nashville Fashion Week, Marcia’s political campaign, Nashville Moves, Nashville Comedy Fest, and all because I was connected with Marcia. She’s the best.
I left my social media job in 2024, stepped out on faith and became a full time freelance photographer, videographer, and producer. I learned from my guy, Marion Devon about monthly retainers and kept using my network to push me forward, My brother, and good friend Mike Floss (roommate at Tenn State University) is the Arts & Culture Director of Southern Movement Committee and my work with them grew to a monthly basis. We finished a documentary “Getting Wins: A Story About Co Governance,” this year and debut it at Fisk University and now pushing it in film festivals, the next one is in July at Indiana Black Expo Film Festival. I also work with Mt Zion Nashville as a videographer as well as with Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International Conference for.2 years, thanks to another good friend from TSU Myah Lipscomb, she is the Creative Director there. She is another person who believed in me while I was still growing and planting seeds.
I also work with Civic TN, Pivot Technology, DemiRebel Media and 353 Media Group.
I’m also working on a documentary series on my father, Pastor Jeffrey Johnson, he was the senior pastor of Eastern Star Church in Indianapolis for 37 years, and we’ll surf through his life and times as he enjoys the fruits of his labor. The project will also include conversation about the growth of Black church succession. It’s a family project that I am proud to be working on. I can’t complain right now.
I travel around the nation doing what I want to do, it’s excellent.
Got married in May 2025, my wife is my #1 supporter and we have a son on the way! Yahweh is good.
It’s been a journey but I am glad I went through what I went through to get here!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Learning the craft, being patient, dealing with trash managers at full time jobs, doubting myself at times, comparing my work to others who I may see better than me, finding life balance, finding time for myself, crafting a more savvy business mind, these are things I am working through today but I see myself getting better through reading, practicing, and building off criticism from those who I trust.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My business name: Evervine Visuals
I specialize in videography, and photography within a storytelling perspective.
Events, Campaigns, Conferences, Weddings, Documentaries, Photography (Fashion, Product, People, Storefront) – I open to work with a brand or group that wants to specialize in compelling story and quality visuals.
I like working on a contract retainer, but open to ideas! Film-making is the dream.
I am most proud of the work we are doing at SMC, having Getting Wins in film festivals is a sign of progression and success.
If I had to boil down my approach to this industry, it’s this: never stop learning, and leave your ego at the door. Be nice to people. No job on set is beneath me, and it’s never just about a paycheck. I love meeting new people and especially love working alongside younger creators—they’re always introducing me to angles and ideas I’ve never thought of. Plus, I actually welcome criticism. If they care then they will criticize with direction. There is so much value in sharing work privately, getting honest feedback, and making those crucial tweaks before showing it to the world.
What matters most to you?
My biggest motivator? Giving my wife and kids a life where they feel secure enough to take risks, make mistakes, and just live, knowing they are fully supported.
My second biggest motivator is a killer story. I need strong narratives to stay inspired and keep learning. We all crave good storytelling, which is why I’m so opinionated about it—if a story is told poorly, I’m absolutely going to speak up and dissect why. See what I would do differently, learn from that too.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sonofthelights.myportfolio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonofthelights/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCd-CNgRJV6_oekGeAjhBLIA/playlists?themeRefresh=1
