Life & Work with Alexis Johnson of Patchogue

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexis Johnson.

Hi Alexis, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I first started my Photography journey back in 2018.. I remember being bored outside with family, friends, and neighbors, and I purchased a new phone, a Samsung Galaxy 9, and the camera was amazing. I asked my neighbors, Valorie and Christian, to do some tricks, which at the time they were on a long board and jumping off a curb, and it turned into a mini session. My Siblings came outside, and theirs too, and I just remember having so much fun and looking at the photos, and feeling satisfied. This evolved to having actual mini sessions with Valorie and Christian, and some with their siblings around the town and random spots we find. I started posting these photos on Instagram around the same time and not really expecting much, just saying that I take photos and to message me I they needed any photos.

Some time passes by, and I’m with my friends deciding if I want to go to college and what I would go for. Them being in college for film persuaded me to go to Radio & Television Production at Suffolk Community College. I never did anything with filming other than helping my friends with their college projects, but I remember having fun and enjoying it, and it’s similar to photography, so I enrolled. This course required a camera because their rentals were not up to date and not guaranteed for use, and were expensive. So, after talking to my dad and some friends, coworkers, and others, I decided to get a camera. I was working at Marshalls at the time, which was right next door to a Best Buy. So, on a day that I was working on my 15-minute break at my job. With my manager’s permission, I got my First Official Camera, A Canon T7i with a 50mm f1,8 Lens. This purchase was the official start for me because I had now started filming mini skits with friends/families, photographing weddings, events for families, and started doing Portrait photography. I stopped going to College because my friends graduated and I could not afford to continue to go, unfortunately. Nothing changed for some time. Fast forward to 2019, when I started to go to Photography Workshops in the Area and posting for fun when I can. I did this for about a year and sort of got bored with it. I started hanging around new people and drifted away from making content for some time.

In 2021, I had a friend of mine who was heavily into metal music and was trying to get me into it. It took some time, around 6 months, because I wasn’t a fan. I didn’t understand what they were saying, it was loud and angry, and I just could not listen to it.. However, one day while on a car ride, he played “Popular Monster” By Falling In Reverse, and I was hooked. Soon after this friend was forming a band, and I would tag along and always had my camera with me, and they asked if I wanted to film stuff with them. I agreed, and I would go on to buy a Sony A7III around the time I was doing my Photography workshops. So I got some SD Cards and started Filming Music Videos for them. This lasted around 2 Years until I parted ways due to business disputes and other issues. This led me to want to quit and go back to school and just be normal and have a steady income. Most people in my life at this time were not supportive of my career decision and were telling me that they think I should consider a real job, and it was working.. At this time, a popular Creator named Kasey Karlson was trending on TikTok for her Metal Covers, and Her Band, Deadlands, was playing at Amityville Music Hall. I messaged her to see if I could take photos and make a recap video. She agreed. This moment changed my Life because after this I would pivot to Concert Photography/Videography, which I Currently Do. In addition to Kasey, another Major Impact On my Life is meeting Eric Dicarlo. Eric is a Popular videographer/photographer who owns SquareUp Studio. He Films for some of the best in the scene as well as Upcoming Local artists. I messaged him around the same time to Shadow Him on set, and he invited me to his next shoot, and the rest is history. Eric and Kasey are Hands down the main reason I am where I am and have been so successful.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely Not… Pursuing this career has tested me in all aspects of my Life. One of the main struggles that I have had is proving myself to others. Since the beginning, I have been overlooked, judged, and put into a box. Being a Woman in a male-dominated scene is already hard, and to add to that, I’m very vocal, which isn’t common. I won’t do something I don’t want to do, and I don’t care how much money I might lose.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a concert photographer/videographer. I go to shows and take photos and videos of the band’s set. I also do touring content as well. This is when the band goes on tour or has a local show and would hire a content person like me to join the crew a create content around it. For example: Photos of the band, The Crowd, The Merch Table, and the Venue, Etc. There is so much to capture with a show, and my job, whether it’s touring on a local show, is to show the viewers what it was like at the show and convey a feeling. Which is usually a Fear Of Missing out, which in turn will lead to more ticket sales for their show!

I’m known for my cinematic style and movie-like show recaps. Which is my skillset, and I’m very proud of my style direction because my work stands out compared to others. I’m also known for being a yapper and very passionate about what I do, which is why I feel I’ve had the most success. I love what I do, it’s not about the money for me, it’s about the memories and experiences.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up was rough for me; I was a bit of a troubled kid and very impulsive in all aspects of my life. I was also bullied a lot by Teachers and students in school for a bunch of reasons. It made me a very reactive child. I would say until high school, I was very much labeled the bad Kid. Until I had a voice in high school, it was a huge change for me, and I felt heard. I was still bullied, but nowhere near as badly. I didn’t have hobbies or many friends; I just stayed home and played basketball outside with the neighbors.

As for my family, I grew up with my mom, dad, and 7 brothers. Of the 7 brothers, 6 are adopted, and I am. We all get along, but growing up, we were very competitive and did argue a lot. It was a very active home, and never a dull moment. My mother passed away in June 2011 due to cancer, and since then, it’s been hard on my dad, but we all are very protective and support each other very much. My dad is VERY supportive of all of us and has done a very good job taking care of us all.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_alexis__johnson_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexis.johnson.660593/