What we do
We are an artwork consulting firm, well-researched in the field of biophilic design, specializing in creating native, nature-based photography for hospitals and healthcare facilities throughout the country. We understand how to create photography that captures powerful nature imagery and use it to transform spaces into environments that support calm and healing.
Why we do it
Our art has a job to do. We understand that environments affect people, and we are passionate about making positive changes in the lives of patients and the entire care team. In stressful times, it’s even more important to appreciate nature as a healing element that can calm and uplift. And in the end, we can think of no nobler cause than bringing comfort to someone going through a difficult time.
Our Values
Creation
Nature heals; the research backs it up. That’s why we spend our time traveling throughout the country, capturing the awe and beauty of nature’s most breathtaking landscapes and plant life. We love creating unique and soothing images to serve as positive distractions for those going through a difficult time.
Collaboration
Creation is a partnership. And even with our background and experience, listening to YOU is a big part of what we do. We’re here to support you, your brand, your facility, your patients, and your staff. We’ll go the extra mile to make sure we help you create an environment your patients and staff won’t be able to stop talking about.
Connection
Being connected with nature is an essential part of our DNA as humans. That’s why bringing nature indoors is a vital part of the wellness process and so important to both our mental and physical health.
Meet the Team
Kurt has been taking pictures practically all his life. What started with an old Kodak Brownie camera from his dad turned into a professional career in photojournalism. From there he studied architectural photography and eventually landed on his true passion: photographing healing nature images.
From colorful botanicals to soothing landscapes, Kurt tells the stories of communities through the natural world that surrounds them. His extensive background in the principles of biophilic design led him to understand nature’s healing power and how it connects us all. He’s seen firsthand how soothing nature images transform sterile environments into spaces that heal.
Kurt spends his days traveling across the US, capturing nature images for hospitals, healthcare, and wellness environments in his own backyard and beyond.
From small rural hospitals to large-scale healthcare environments (like Mayo Clinic, CHI, Allina Health, and Kaiser Permanente), he’s seen how nature can improve patient outcomes, uplift cancer patients, rejuvenate overworked hospital staff, and reduce the need for long hospital stays and medications.
Seeing the power of bringing nature indoors gives him purpose and hope, which is why you’ll rarely find him far from a viewfinder.
Carolyn Johnson is the Sales, Marketing, and Operations Principal of Kurt Johnson Photography. She is energized by people and loves collaborating with clients to bring the healing power of nature indoors. Kurt & Carolyn co-own the business, with Carolyn holding a majority, making KJP a woman-owned small business.
With over three decades of experience in the non-profit and corporate world, Carolyn leverages her extensive background in advertising, sales, and technology combined with her warmth and authenticity to drive results and cultivate meaningful relationships, making her a trusted advisor rather than just a vendor.
She has an innate ability to listen attentively, understanding clients’ needs, desires, and pain points, and offering genuine solutions and valuable insights. Her ultimate goal is to bring joy and value to those around her, believing that well-placed artwork is a game-changer for positive outcomes.
Her keen eye for aesthetics and deep understanding of biophilic design, allows her to curate captivating nature-inspired artwork that transforms ordinary spaces into vibrant sanctuaries. Through her leadership, KJP has emerged as a trailblazer in the world of artwork solutions for healthcare design.
Carolyn is a member of the Nebraska Chapter of Women in Healthcare and on the Advisory Council of the Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte Center (Picotte was the first Native American to earn a medical degree and also Carolyn’s great, great aunt). Carolyn’s passion for empowering voices in the community, uplifting others, and bringing nature indoors for mental and physical wellness is her passion and her legacy. She believes in using her skills and platform to make a positive difference in the world and promote healing, one client at a time.
Tori Gerkin
Art Director
Tori specializes in project management and photo editing. At KJP, she’s known as the gatekeeper. She’s involved in every detail of a project including art selection, placement, editing, and file delivery. Her photo editing skills truly bring clients’ visions to life.
You’ll never find her without a cup of coffee and usually a dog nearby.
Tori is quick with solutions when problems arise and she has a habit of taking her laptop everywhere in case someone “needs something.” If we could clone her, we would.
Casey Kurz
Writer and Social Media Manager
Casey is the voice of KJP. She creates engaging social media posts, well-researched blogs, newsletters, and other copy including website text, bios, brochures, articles, and case studies.
She also handles video editing and assists with KJP’s marketing initiatives and strategies.
Her empathetic viewpoint allows her to hone in on the most important aspects of a project and share the parts people care about most. She acts as a medium from Kurt Johnson to the world and somehow manages to keep her sanity.
Jerred Zegelis
Special Projects and Contributing Photographer
Jerred is a contributing photographer and oversees KJP’s project development. He uses his artistic eye, and technical skills to develop cutting-edge art forms like KJP’s Impressionism and Layers images. He also travels with Kurt to capture healthcare art.
As an experienced photographer and former high school teacher, Jerred can handle any situation. If you give Jerred a problem, he’ll give you a solution (okay, probably 5 solutions along with a really passionate email written at 2 AM about why it will work). His energy and enthusiasm are contagious.