March 6, 2017

Meet Mandee Johnson of Mandee Johnson Photography and CleftClips in Del Rey

Local Stories

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

Mandee, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I grew up with a Canon AE1 always in my hand or around my neck. I spent hours behind my camera or in darkroom as a teenager. When I went to boarding school I built a darkroom, insulation and all, so I could keep shooting.

When I was 18 I headed out to photography school in California and moved to LA 13 years ago with my partner in crime, Joel Mandelkorn. I spent the first 8 years in Los Angeles as a photo producer working on large advertising campaigns and editorials. I was a bit burnt out from school and didn’t really touch a camera for 5 years.

In 2010 we started producing our monthly live comedy show, The Super Serious Show, and that’s when I really started shooting again with 4×5 camera I would do two portraits of each comedian on the show. Shortly after I started shooting weddings with my close friend, eventually growing into shooting my own weddings and moved away from photo production.

I split my time between photography and comedy production (both live and scripted content). It’s a blend of the two worlds I love. Currently I shoot around 15 weddings a year in addition to editorial, advertising, portraits and personal projects.

Has it been a smooth road?
Figuring out how to be an adult and what you want out of life is never smooth. There is not one path. It took me a while to get here but everything I did along the way was important and has helped me be a better business woman, photographer and producer. Including the terrible bosses, crazy clients and impossible deadlines.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
I’m a destination wedding photographer with a documentary approach. I specialize in candid, grounded images, captured unobtrusively. Being half producer/half photographer I’m able to anticipate what my client’s needs allowing them to relax and have fun in front of my camera. My documentary approach to shooting allows me to be inconspicuous allowing me to capture the moments in between.

I originally went to school for documentary photography. While I fell in love and stayed in Los Angeles instead of adventuring off around the world for news outlets one of my favorite parts about shooting weddings is the all access pass to one of the most important days in a couple’s life. A day where the photos will be shared with generations to come, have historical importance and show their love and joy. In addition to weddings, I also shoot portraits, advertising, editorials, families, interior design and personal projects. I love it all.

I’m a featured wedding photographer for Green Wedding Shoes + the Grey Collective. I’ve been published in Green Wedding Shoes, Style Me Pretty, 100 Layer Cake, Grey Collective in addition my clients include Spotify, Schlitz Brewing, Old Milwaukee, Showtime, Coke Zero, Audible, Dwell, Caviar Content, HBO, Comedy Central, Funny or Die, Fast Company, aspecialthing records, Earwolf + Netflix.

I’m based in Los Angeles but travel often for weddings, photography, comedy and fun.

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