Life & Work with Brooke Johnson of Kansas City, MO

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

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Hi!

I’m Brooke, owner and photographer at BLJ Photography LLC. I was born and raised in Michigan, but I have called Kansas City home for the last 10 years. I moved here back in November of 2025, and missed all of the fun when the Royals won the World Series by a week (insert sad face). Nevertheless, I have grown to love this city and all of the wonderful people I have met along the way.

My journey as an artist started at a very young age. I was always drawing and coloring, but photography came to me later in life. I was attending college in Michigan and working towards a Fine Arts degree. About 2 semesters in, I signed up for a black and white photography course. This was the turning point for me. I learned how to take photographs using a manual Minolta camera that was gifted by a family member. I loved learning to use the camera and how all of its components worked together. Being in the dark room and using enlargers to expose the paper was a thrill. I loved watching my images appear slowly in the developer. It was a graceful process and truly fulfilling.

I graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts- Photography in 2006 and entered into the workforce. I worked in a handful of photography studios focusing on portraits. Through mentorship, I elevated my skills with off camera flash and how to create beautiful studio style lighting in any environment. I began to really love the aesthetic of using off camera flash in a dramatic way and creating emotion with my subjects and the light. I pride myself in making my clients feel comfortable and guiding them through the process of my art. It’s so rewarding to set up a scene, light it, pose the client and see them get excited when I show them their photo on the back of the camera.

More recently, I joined a company that focuses on real estate media services. This was a much different type of photography for me but allows me to be creative with composition more than lighting. With the house being the focus, I try to create an image that allows potential buyers to see themselves living in the home. Aside photography, I have added videography, aerial drone work, and other real estate media needs to my skill set. It has been a learning process, as I have always focused on still photography, and I was not very knowledgeable about the video side of it all. Online education and hands on experience has allowed me to improve and develop myself in these aspects

As for my business, I am very new to being an entrepreneur. I went through the process of getting my business license in the summer of 2024, thus BLJ Photography LLC was born. I have done personal work for a while now but wanted to solidify myself as a business. The past year has been spent creating my website, developing a workflow, and learning to market myself. It has been a whirlwind of a process as I am not the best at the “business” side of photography. I am working full time with the real estate team and developing BLJ Photography LLC as a part time business at this time. My hope is to find more people who love my work and give them a great experience with my business.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My path in photography hasn’t always been smooth sailing—but every twist and turn has shaped me into the person I am today.
I began my career in portrait studios, starting at the bottom and working my way up. Being the “new kid” was tough—I often didn’t know how things worked, and I had to learn fast. But that discomfort pushed me to grow. I paid close attention to my mentors, and was determined to become great at my craft. Over time, I moved into training roles and eventually became a studio manager.
Life threw me a few curveballs along the way. After college, I took a position in Pittsburgh, PA, and was on track for management when my then-husband accepted a job in Michigan. Thankfully, the company I worked for was nationwide, and I was able to transfer. Once again, I started fresh—learning the ropes in a new territory, building trust, and eventually earning a studio manager role. That studio became a creative haven for me, especially working with high school seniors. I loved helping other photographers tap into their creativity, and together we built something special. We even won “Studio of the Year” for our region.
Then came another move—this time to Kansas City. Leaving that studio was heartbreaking, but I transferred again and began rebuilding. Not long after, I went through a divorce. It was a difficult chapter, but I chose to stay in Kansas City—and I’m so glad I did.
Here, I’ve found a true sense of home. I’ve built a life, bought a house, made lifelong friends, and launched BLJ Photography LLC. What felt like setbacks at the time were actually stepping stones. They taught me resilience, adaptability, and the value of starting over with purpose.
I’m proud of the journey. It wasn’t easy, but it made me stronger, more empathetic, and more committed to creating meaningful work.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in portraiture and commercial photography. With BLJ Photography LLC, I especially love senior portraits—getting to know each person, learning about their interests, and finding ways to bring that into their session. Whether it’s a sport, a hobby, or just a vibe they want to capture, I want their photos to feel like them. I use studio-style lighting in all kinds of environments, from mobile backdrops for traditional portraits to off-camera strobes out on location. That setup gives me flexibility to shoot any time of day and still get that polished, creative look.
On the real estate side, I work full-time with a media team photographing listings around Kansas City. I spend most days driving to residential and commercial properties, and honestly—I love it. Seeing all the different homes and helping showcase their best features through photo and video is something I genuinely enjoy.
I’d say I’m known for two things: my lighting and my energy. Technically, I bring studio-style lighting wherever I go. I like using strobes to add depth and drama, especially when natural light isn’t ideal. It gives me a lot of creative control and helps me deliver consistent, high-quality images no matter the setting.
Personally, I think people appreciate that I’m easygoing. I’m a little introverted—I don’t need to be the loudest in the room—but I connect easily with people. I can meet a total stranger and have a real conversation where we learn about each other and find common ground. That helps clients feel relaxed and present, which makes for better photos. I also guide posing visually and with a little humor… so if you feel silly, I’ll be silly with you. We’re in it together.

Honestly? I’m most proud of overcoming fear. I’ve always struggled with the unknown—starting something new, not knowing how to do it, feeling unsure. But pushing through that has helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect. It’s made me a better photographer, a better business owner, and just a stronger person overall. BLJ Photography LLC is a reflection of that growth, and I’m proud of what I’ve built and the people I get to work with.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
There’s a lot to love about Kansas City—but the people are what come to mind first. When I first moved here, multiple neighbors came by just to introduce themselves. One even invited me to Christmas dinner after knowing me for only a month. That kind of warmth and generosity is something I’ll never forget. Those neighbors have become some of my closest friends.
I’ve always loved live music, and Kansas City definitely delivers. I’ve been to concerts at so many venues around town, and each one has been a blast. There’s just something about the energy here—whether it’s a packed show or a quiet acoustic set, KC knows how to bring it.
As a photographer, I’m constantly inspired by the variety of locations this city offers. I’ve shot in the West Bottoms, at the Nelson-Atkins Museum, and around the Kauffman Center for the Arts—each spot has its own vibe and visual story. And the parks? Don’t even get me started. There’s an abundance of beautiful green spaces that make for stunning backdrops.
And of course… the food. The BBQ here is next level. Enough said.
If I had to complain about one thing, it’d be rush hour traffic in certain areas—but honestly, what city doesn’t have that? It’s a small price to pay for everything else KC has to offer

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bljphotography.mypixieset.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bljphotography.0383/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100022272982596