Jeff Johnson

Jeff Johnson is one of the most recognized storytellers in the world of adventure. Born of the 1980s California skate and surf scene, he has spent his life bridging the gap between athlete and artist.  After a youth filled with skating ramps and surfing Hawaii’s North Shore, Jeff became the very first staff photographer for Patagonia in 2004. He was a key figure in launching Patagonia Surf, and created the Patagonia cult classic environmental surf documentary, 180° South (2010). 

Jeff now works as a highly sought after commercial photographer and creative director.  He has anchored projects for Rivian, Urban Outfitters, YETI, Black Diamond, SeaVees shoes, St. Archer Brewing, David Yurman and Electric Sunglass, among others. His stories and photographs have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The Surfer’s Journal, Alpinist, Surfer Magazine, Climbing Magazine, and Outside Magazine. 

Jeff’s lent his unique take on alternative sports cultures with several books, including Bend to Baja: A Biofuel powered surfing and climbing road trip (2006), 180° South: Conquerors of the Useless (2010), a coffee table book grown from his documentary film, and Way High Kick Turn: East Bay SF 75-89, a gathering of his stories and photos from his teenage skate crew and the scene in San Francisco’s East Bay. 

Jeff now lives in Santa Barbara, California with his wife and two kids and they divide their time between the mountains and ocean.