{"id":8022,"date":"2011-11-03T04:50:14","date_gmt":"2011-11-03T04:50:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/artistsofutah.org\/15Bytes\/?p=8022"},"modified":"2025-11-16T20:18:38","modified_gmt":"2025-11-17T03:18:38","slug":"gerry-johnsons-capturing-veterans-pride","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/artistsofutah.org\/15Bytes\/gerry-johnsons-capturing-veterans-pride\/","title":{"rendered":"Gerry Johnson’s Capturing Veterans’ Pride"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Photographer Gerry Johnson offers his services to veterans. Photo by Kelly Green.<\/p><\/div>\n

A survivor of cancer and heart disease, photographer Gerry Johnson understands the value of time. That\u2019s why he\u2019s reduced his workload as a project manager at Zions Bancorporation to three days a week. A half-week at work provides enough money to pay the bills, but leaves plenty of time \u201cto explore creative and fulfilling ventures in photography.\u201d He\u2019s explored the land and sky of the western landscape, captured the magic of candid personal moments, and — full disclosure \u2013 has produced some stunning images for this magazine. In his latest venture, he\u2019s looking to give some of that valuable time back to a unique group of people.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have had a substantial amount of assistance from others in improving my skills as a photographer,\u201d Johnson says. \u201cReflecting upon this one day, and wondering how best to \u2018pay it forward\u2019, I read an article about veterans and realized that this is one group that I\u2019ve not ever really acknowledged. Or that has been really acknowledged by Americans.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Johnson came of age during the Vietnam War, and lost a lot of friends to the conflict, he was never drafted. His father and uncles, though, were World War II vets. Johnson says his father had a couple of photos from Germany, but never talked much about the war.<\/p>\n

Johnson decided he would use his talents as a photographer to honor the vets and their sacrifices. He contacted the VA, offering to provide veterans and\/or their families free portraits. Belinda Karabatsos, a VA volunteer coordinator, created the schedule and managed the shoots with her team, providing snacks and drinks for those waiting their turn. Jen McKeithen provided makeup and\/or haircutting services while the vets and their families waited. Johnson, meanwhile, sat tethered to his laptop, reviewing and adjusting the photos to the sitters\u2019 satisfaction so they could print the photos on site. This spring they completed two photo shoots, and have provided photographs for 64 vets. Another shoot is scheduled for Veterans Day.<\/p>\n

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