Dalton Johnson is a commercial and documentary photographer/director who specializes in authentic content that tells a story (I call this advertorial work). While most of Dalton's portfolio comes from hard to reach places in the mountains and the ocean, he is no stranger to creating content that connects with the average Joe. Notching over 120 campaigns in his belt for clients like Ford, Men's Journal, B.F. Goodrich, Nike, Patagonia, Tamron Lenses, and many more, he is no stranger to bringing a project to life. In the end, Dalton's vast body of work has one thing in common, authenticity.

Some of Dalton’s Photo and Video Clients

Ford Motors | Patagonia | Solo Stove | Nike | Men’s Journal | Gregory Packs | Arc’teryx | Stillpoint Lodge | Rancho Santana Nicaragua | Oru Kayaks | BF Goodrich | Klean Kanteen | Backpacker Magazine | Swiftwick Socks | Surfline | Outward Bound | Big Agnes | MiiR| Maverik Gas Station | Mountain House | Oros Apparel | Coalatree | Santa Cruz Waves | Timber Surf Co. | Orvis | Featherstone | Probar | Split Nutrition | Hidden Peak Teahouse | Mountain Project | Strung Magazine | Friends of the Inyo | Splunk | Joshua Tree Coffee | 11th Hour Coffee | Drink Coffee Do Stuff | Marin Kombucha | Synergy Clothing | Daybreak Magazine

Dalton’s Start With a Camera

Getting into photography was a fluke. It was my last quarter at Santa Clara University when I told my best mate to pick a class for us to take together. “A joke class,” were my exact words. Turns out a joke to him was picking an upper division photo class which involved a civil engagement project where I had to beg the professor to let me in with zero experience. Then, I had to find a camera I could borrow for the next three months. Throughout that class, every time I touched this camera I was afraid I was going to break it. As a matter of fact, I did! From landscapes to portraits, I learned the fundamentals of telling a story with images in that class. Once finished, I gave back the camera I borrowed, graduated university early, and began cycle-touring.

Living in one place no longer than a few months, my world continually expanded as I saw new places and met countless people from all walks of life. Some of my favorite stories come from random conversations in coffee shops. I couldn’t pinpoint a place to call home or head down one path, so I kept exploring. At some point between New Zealand and The High Sierra I picked up a camera again. From then on I couldn’t escape the desire to tell a story from behind the lens.

Fast forward 10 years, I have established myself as a go-to creative for outdoor lifestyle shoots, for both the motion and photo, to tell authentic brand narrative pieces. Most of my work includes video, photo, and writing pieces, working closely with a developed team to deliver 360 campaigns that will resonate with your audiences.