Jeff Johnson

Jeff Johnson is a household name in the world of adventure storytelling. A surfer, climber, writer, and photographer, Jeff has spent decades blending the roles of athlete and artist to capture some of the most compelling outdoor narratives.

A child of the 1980s skate and surf scene, Jeff’s early days were spent as a punk in Northern California. As a young adult, Jeff switched out his skateboard for a surfboard and headed to Hawaii, where he spent the next fifteen years chasing waves and stories. During this time, Jeff helped launch Patagonia Surf, encouraging the company to engage with the (then) underdog athletes in a way like never before. 

Patagonia has been a pivotal force in Jeff’s life and career. As the company’s first in-house photographer, he spent 13 years capturing its ethos through images. His close relationship with mentor Yvon Chouinard inspired him to embark on the journey that would become the documentary 180° South. The film follows Jeff as he retraces the 1968 trip that Chouinard and Doug Tompkins took through South America, culminating in a climb of Fitz Roy in the Andes.

All of Jeff’s work stems from his deep love of and curiosity for the outdoors. Genuine and thoughtful, he seeks out stories and people that reflect his honest approach to life. His writing and photography have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The Surfer’s Journal, Alpinist, Surfer Magazine, Climbing Magazine, and Outside Magazine. His books include Bend to Baja: A Biofuel-Powered Surfing and Climbing Road Trip (2006), 180° South: Conquerors of the Useless (2010), and Way High Kick Turn: East Bay SF 75–89, a collection of stories and photos from his teenage skate crew in the East Bay.

Jeff is one of a kind. He’s a local everywhere he goes, perpetually chasing the joy of the journey and the thrill of the unknown.