Gretchen Johnson

ABOUT the ARTIST

HI! I’m Gretchen

I’m a wife of 23 years. We have a son currently serving in the Air Force. A daughter that’s following her dreams studying music at the West Chester University. Also, a 15 year old son that goes to Avon Grove.

My photographic journey began in my early 20’s when I was a nanny for a newborn boy named Luke. I used to take photos of him constantly as any sentimental person would. His mother gifted me my first “nice” film camera, a Nikon N65. During my time with them, I got married and had children of my own. Boy/girl twins actually. After 11 years as Lukes nanny, my husband urged me to go to school to learn more about photography since I was so passionate about it.

Through the process of learning how to capture memories on film, I enjoyed the peace and quit of being in the dark room. I still miss the smell of the chemicals. This was my escape as it felt like I was in another world all by myself. Film was also a lot more forgiving. You could hide mistakes and manipulate prints more easily. This is gave me a deep appreciation for PRINT. I realized how incredibly important printed memories are.

Even though I swore I’d never go digital because digital could never compare to film, I ended up purchasing my first digital camera in 2006 and Gretchen Johnson Photography began. I have many printed albums and large canvases displayed in my home. I want you to have the same joy I have looking at these treasured pieces gives me every single day. Families change so much, when they grow, you can look back and remember just how little your children once were.These are fleeting moments, just yesterday my twins were only five.

I know I can’t remember ALL the moments, but my pictures sure remind me of most of them.