PLAYGROUND:
What was the most creative thing your parents did when you were a child?

JOHNNY COOKER:
Easter egg hunts in July, hide-n-seek in the dark with flashlights, watching B&W movies in my grandfather’s basement theater, tearing apart my Uncle’s traveling miniature circus that he built, Dad teaching me magic and photography, then watching my magic shows over and over … the list goes on and on! Fortunately, my parents were kids-at-heart themselves. Most importantly, they taught me that having an open mind and being creative goes beyond the arts, and helps with solving situations in everyday life.”

We loved Johnny’s answer (above) to our contributor question that was published in the Spring 2010 issue of PLAYGROUND. He’s just as interesting and inspiring in person. With his rock-a-billy fashion sense and edgy photography style — we wanted to share more about Johnny with you.

Cooker picked up his first camera as a child and it has been his passion and creative outlet ever since. By day he’s an account manager in the corporate events industry; and by night (and weekends) he creates playful and stylistic portraits.

While Johnny has a degree in photography and photography has always been in his life, he has also explored other avenues of creative expression like acting. His most famous acting spot was in Fraternity Demon. When talking about photography, Johnny said that the art is “constantly evolving” and while he is always pushing the limits with his work, one of the most important parts of his work is being able to connect with people.

PLAYGROUND is excited to have been able to collaborate with Johnny for the first time in the Spring Issue. Johnny’s photos in College Park … It’s Just Edgy, show off his uber-creative style as well as the edgy area of College Park. We can’t wait to see what he brings to the table next.

Johnny lives in Orlando with his wife, Patti, and four-year-old daughter, Edith (4). Please view more of Johnny Cooker work on his blog: www.JohnnyCooker.blogspot.com.