Michelle Ranee Johnson is a self-taught, award-winning landscape, climbing/ adventure, and fine-art photographer based in Fresno near Yosemite National Park, California. She grew up mesmerized by the photographs in National Geographic and Ansel Adams, and these photos transported her by her imagination to each different location. When Michelle was nine, her best friend invited her to their family’s cabin in Mineral King in Sequoia National Park, CA. Mineral King was where Michelle learned beautiful places like what she saw in National Geographic weren’t so distant and far away. Here is where she picked up her mom’s camera and started exploring the natural world, looking through her camera’s viewfinder. She kept her photography as a hobby as she went to CSU Fresno to obtain her BA in Anthropology with a minor in Art History and received her Master’s in Geology. These degrees helped her see the world as a photographer in a different light. Eventually, her passion for photography led her to become a professional photographer. She has been commissioned by Mad Rock and Rocktape and has worked with numerous other companies (such as Arc’teryx).

To her amazement and honor, her photograph “The Parched Earth” was chosen by National Geographic Yourshot to be put on exhibit at Photofest 2019 in San Miguel de Allende for their assignment “A Planet in Balance.” A dream come true for her.