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The Visual Preservationist

Photos, videos, & stories by Vincent D. Johnson

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  • Pics & Stories (Blog)
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  • Illinois’ Best High School Gyms
  • H.S. Sports Photos
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  • H.S. Uniwatch

Behind the Photo

The Shit Show That Is The Family Portrait
16 Oct 2015

The Shit Show That Is The Family Portrait

by Vincent D. Johnson | posted in: Behind the Photo, My Personal Work | 3

The Shit Show That Is The Family Portrait   Let me just say… Family portraits can be a real shit show sometimes. Especially when they are your own family and you are doing the photography. In general getting a group … Continued

family portraits, kids, portraits, shit show
That is what I do – Part 5
12 Oct 2015

That is what I do – Part 5

by Vincent D. Johnson | posted in: Behind the Photo, That is What I Do | 0

Not Doing What I Want To Do As I’ve mentioned before, when things happen I want to document them visually. However sometimes life calls us to not do the thing we feel compelled to do. On a rainy night in … Continued

murder, photojournalist, tragedy
That is what I do – Part 4
8 Oct 2015

That is what I do – Part 4

by Vincent D. Johnson | posted in: Behind the Photo, That is What I Do | 0

Always ready. Always Steady. This Is What I Do. Holding it together while blood is covering your own eyes isn’t a big deal for me. However I know plenty of parents who might look at this photo and wonder how … Continued

bleeding, blood, kids, photography skills, super dad
That is what I do – Part 3
8 Oct 2015

That is what I do – Part 3

by Vincent D. Johnson | posted in: Behind the Photo, That is What I Do | 2

OK, so maybe I am an adrenaline junkie. So I think I established the fact that getting close to explosions for a better photo is something I don’t have an issue with. I failed to mention that had I not … Continued

bleeding, photojournalist, rugby
That is What I Do – Part 2
7 Oct 2015

That is What I Do – Part 2

by Vincent D. Johnson | posted in: Behind the Photo, That is What I Do | 6

I would never compare what I do with the job of a police officer, firefighter, or a soldier, but if you have ever noticed when there is a conflict, or disaster, there are always a few photojournalists around. I’m guessing … Continued

Chicago, fire, magnesium
That is what I do – Part 1
7 Oct 2015

That is what I do – Part 1

by Vincent D. Johnson | posted in: Behind the Photo, That is What I Do | 6

I don’t know how else to explain it better than these five words “that is what I do” and that is what this blog will be about. Still not sure what I’m talking about? Scroll down.   The first time … Continued

family, first photo, photojournalist
The Many Faces of Governor Pat Quinn
10 Mar 2013

The Many Faces of Governor Pat Quinn

by Vincent D. Johnson | posted in: Behind the Photo, News, Photojournalism | 0

It’s been a while since I’ve had an assignment to photograph a politician who held an office higher than a local school council, today it just happened to be the Governor of Illinois, Pat Quinn. He’s not the most animated person in … Continued

Governor, Illinois, Pat Quinn
Last of the Mud Bowls
20 Oct 2012

Last of the Mud Bowls

by Vincent D. Johnson | posted in: Behind the Photo, High school sports, Photojournalism | 0

Find a complete gallery of the Fenwick vs De La Salle game here. As the final game of the 2012 Illinois high school football regular season got underway, I knew it was something special and that in the years following … Continued

Chicago, Chicago Catholic League, De La Salle, Fenwick H.S., football, high school, mud bowl

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Most Recent Posts

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  • Photo Gallery: Girls Basketball, Hillcrest vs. Southland, Jan. 7, 2026January 7, 2026
  • Photo Gallery: Girls Basketball, Benet vs. Marist, Jan. 5, 2026January 6, 2026
  • A Look Back At High School Sports Travel in 2025January 1, 2026
  • Illinois High School Sports UniwatchJanuary 1, 2026
  • Photo Gallery: Basketball, Glendbard South vs. Taylorville, Dec. 29, 2025December 29, 2025
  • Photo Gallery: Basketball, Mount Carmel vs. De La Salle, Dec. 12, 2025December 12, 2025

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