Award-winning photographer and educator Stanley Johnson is shining a light on the beauty, resilience, and power of Black women in his new book, Beautiful, I Am! His book, a stunning collection of portraits and personal narratives from 98 Black women, celebrates their womanhood, challenges existing perceptions, and honors their experiences.
Johnson, a visiting instructor for Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) School of Journalism & Graphic Communication (SJGC), has spent his career capturing images significant and relevant to his audiences. His latest work reflects his deep commitment to representation, ensuring Black women, a group traditionally underappreciated and marginalized, are reflected with dignity, authenticity and pride.
“It’s a love letter to Black women. This album of photographs captures the light and essence that shines through their eyes,” Johnson said. “This truth is illuminated in their words, and I created this book to hopefully be a source of inspiration, pride and joy.”
While completing this latest work, Johnson has been somewhat behind the scenes inspiring the next generation of storytellers at FAMU SJGC. In 2023, he served as one of the faculty members who mentored students and helped them develop UFXFAMU 1963: Reporting from the U.S. Civil Rights Trail. The award-winning project, a collaboration between FAMU and the University of Florida (UF), retraced pivotal sites of the Civil Rights Movement and provided students with an experiential learning opportunity to document history and connect with the past.
“Johnson’s book is a powerful and necessary tribute to the beauty and strength of Black women,” said Mira Lowe, FAMU SJGC dean. “His work reinforces the importance of authentic storytelling and is an example to our students of the magnitude of sharing culturally significant, positive narratives.”
In addition to serving as an instructor at FAMU, Johnson is also a celebrated photographer, fine artist and graphic designer. He became interested in photography while in high school after receiving a camera from his father. He later perfected his photography skills while a student in the graphic communications program at FAMU SJGC.
Johnson’s career also includes serving in the United Stated Marine Corps (USMC) as a communications specialist; however, he did not pursue photography as a legitimate career option until his images were used in marketing collateral for an adoption agency.
Johnson, a Class of 1997 FAMU SJGC alumnus, also earned a Master of Arts degree from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, California. In 2019, he was the second-place recipient of the Academy of Art International Spring Showcase. Johnson’s work is available to view and purchase online.
