THE name Bryan Johnson is synonymous with videography and television production in Jamaica. However, did you know that he is also an ace photographer? His career in media actually began as a photographer, taking still photographs and waiting in anticipation to get to the photo store to have the images developed.

“I was fascinated with the end-result — the image that was developed after the film was taken to the printery. I was overwhelmed by what I saw, and I did it for a few weeks. After the initial anxiety waned, I continued to do it, and that’s how I knew that I wanted to pursue a career as a photographer,” Johnson recounted.

Along the way of taking photographs and covering different functions including weddings and graduations, Johnson was smitten by the still photographs now being expanded into movement — video production.

“I decided to take courses in television production at the Creative Production and Training Centre (CPTC) and over the years, I continued to develop myself in television production. I worked myself up to senior camera person and did major projects including
Rapping and
Hill and Gully Ride and other productions that CPTC was involved with. I enjoyed every bit of my work,” Johnson related.

Johnson is now a seasoned media production professional with over 27 years of dedicated service to the NCU Media Group. He began his journey in 1997 as a videographer technician and has risen to his current position of production coordinator.

“When I started at NCU, I continued to develop my skills and did courses at Andrews University. They were very pleased with my work, and I moved from television production to full production. I also joined the team at the Inter-American Division in Miami, Florida, and completed a few months there in production, and they were very pleased with the results,” Johnson said.

Johnson, affectionately called “Johnno”, is a household name for his technical expertise at several Seventh-day Adventist church productions and other entities. These productions span the then West Indies Union, now Jamaica Union, and the Inter-American Division, while covering events in the wider Caribbean, North and Central America.

“It has given me great honour to serve in this capacity, and I am happy to share my knowledge to everyone including the mass communications students. It is a wonderful pay off when I see the students excelling, and I know I contributed to their success,” Johnson said.

In recognition of his consistent and outstanding contributions since being at NCU, Johnson was honoured with the Employee Long Service Award in 2016; then in 2019, he received the Distinguished Staff Service Excellence Award in the category of Technical Support at the board of governors banquet for Global Adventists Internet Network.

At the Northern Caribbean University’s 101st commencement ceremony on August 11, Johnson was awarded the 2024 President’s Medallion. The university saluted him for his unwavering service and excellence that has made him an integral asset to the institution.

“You cannot stay in one place. You must work with it, grow with it and live what you do best. You must love what you do. Nobody will thank you for trying; you have to put it out there so people can see what you are doing,” Johnson said.

The President’s Medallion is awarded annually to persons who embrace the corporate values of NCU, demonstrate loyalty to the university and are considered good role models in society.

Bryan Johnson (centre) celebrating with members of the NCU Media Group.