Remembering Neil Johnson Through the Lens of Portrait 2000
Have you ever seen an image in black and white that's so powerful, it feels like you can step right into it? That’s the legacy Neil Johnson left behind with his extraordinary “Portrait 2000” series. As an acclaimed commercial photographer, Neil didn’t just capture faces; he captured stories, dreams, and the soul of a community.
Neil was my mentor, my teacher, my guide for over six years. To say he inspired me would be the understatement of the century. His work, his generosity with his craft, and his passion for preserving moments continue to influence everything I do behind the lens. That’s why, when the opportunity arose to honor his legacy with an updated series, I knew I had to say yes.
Today, I’d like to take you on a little behind-the-scenes tour of that project and share the joy, stories, and history I was privileged to discover along the way.
Neil Johnson, 2014, image by Jenn in Neil’s studio
Portrait 2000: A Community, Captured in Time
Neil’s “Portrait 2000” (P2K) series was nothing short of monumental. Beginning in 1997, Neil poured his heart into grant applications, sponsorships, and preparations to make his vision a reality. Thanks to support from companies like Kodak, which provided hundreds of rolls of film, and local organizations, Neil was able to start an ambitious project—to document the people of Shreveport and Bossier for the turn of the century.
For two years, Neil set up all over Shreveport and Bossier, including the malls, libraries, stores, hospitals, on base and more. He shot the entire project on his medium-format Hasselblad camera. His subjects held their favorite objects, or brought items to symbolize their professionals, and, in each frame, celebrated what made them uniquely them.
The images represented a tapestry of life in the late 1990s Shreveport-Bossier area, and Neil ensured each shot exuded authenticity. When the series debuted at the Shreveport Expo Hall in 2000, it was on display in its entirety for just two days—but those two days were unforgettable for those who attended. To this day, people talk about how the exhibit showcased "who we are" as a community.
Portrait ’25: Paying Tribute to a Mentor and Legacy
Fast forward 25 years. I had the honor of building upon Neil’s work with a project entitled “Portrait ’25”. Revisiting his legacy was not only a chance to reflect on Neil’s impact on the photography world, but also an opportunity to reconnect with the people he captured all those years ago.
The process started with assembling a dream team. Neil’s wife Cindy, his incredible former office manager Paula, and the ArtSpace staff all came together to bring the project to life. One of our first challenges? Tracking down the original Portrait 2000 subjects who were still in the area.
Eventually, we contacted 54 original participants who returned for an updated portrait. Many brought the same objects or wore similar outfits to their photos from 25 years ago. I worked diligently to replicate Neil’s lighting, composition, and poses. It meant everything to me to honor his vision while blending in my personal touch.
The exhibit, titled “Remembering Portrait 2000” and “Portrait ’25”, opened at ArtSpace and ran from January 24 to March 22. It was surreal standing on opening night, surrounded by both Neil’s iconic originals and my fresh recreations.
To make the event even more special, I set up a live studio at the opening night reception. I wanted to offer attendees something unique, something Neil would be proud of. That evening, I had the privilege of capturing 89 new portraits, two of which included individuals from the original series.
Hearing the Stories
The most moving part of the project wasn’t just the photography; it was the people. One by one, Portrait 2000 participants shared stories of how much that photo meant to them.
Some recounted how Neil's kindness and talent left an impression that they carried with them for decades. Others spoke of how the portrait became a family treasure, passed down and cherished, some even brought photos that Neil had created with them to be included in their updated portraits. Hearing these accounts reminded me of just how powerful photography can be—not just as art, but as an emotional bridge between the past and present.
I reflected back on my own experience working side by side with Neil. He taught me to see beyond technical perfection and to strive to capture the essence of who someone is. This was Neil’s signature. And recreating his process from scratch gave me, once again, so much admiration for the visionary he was.
Photography, Neil showed me, is more than snapping pictures; it’s storytelling in the truest sense.
Why This Exhibit Still Matters
This isn’t just about nostalgia or admiring the craftsmanship of a single photographer. The imagery of both Portrait 2000 and Portrait ’25 gives us a rare opportunity to pause and reflect.
Art has always held up a mirror to society, and portraiture, in particular, reveals our shared humanity. What we wear, what we hold dear, what we stand for tells the story of who we are. By witnessing the past through Neil’s eyes and juxtaposing it with the present through mine, the community of Shreveport-Bossier gets a meaningful reminder of where we’ve been and what makes this area so special.
For photography enthusiasts, the exhibit showcases the timelessness of the medium. It reminds us of the importance of preserving memories and telling visual stories that outlast us.
For people who knew Neil, they get to see not just his work but also his spirit live on.
What We Can Learn From Neil
Neil Johnson didn’t just teach me how to light a portrait or frame a subject; he taught me how to approach every photo with care and intention. He inspired me to see photography as an act of human connection, not just creative expression.
Carrying that forward into Portrait ’25 was both an honor and a responsibility. If there’s one thing I hope people take away from this project, it’s the realization that photography has the power to bind us—to remind us of our values, our dreams, and the beauty in our day-to-day lives.
To everyone who came together to make the exhibit a success, shared their story, or simply stopped by to view the images, thank you.
And for my fellow photographers or art enthusiasts, I’d love to hear your thoughts. What does portraiture mean to you? How do you preserve the stories of your communities?
Feel free to leave a comment or share your reflections below.
