It was a very good day for Jason Johnson of Chilton, formerly of Hixton, when he learned that two of his photographs were voted as favorites at a photo exhibit held in his home county.

Johnson won the Viewer’s Choice with his photo of a peacock in all its glory. He also received an Honorable Mention for his photo of the Montello Granite waterfalls.

This is not the first time that Johnson has taken home an award from this event at the Black River Falls Public Library Photo Exhibit. The very first time he entered, his photo of a sleeping fox won top spot as Viewer’s Choice. His photo of Green Bay Packer Randall Cobb also has received recognition.

“Our library in Black River Falls has sponsored this exhibit for many years,” he said. “My dad and I have taken photos there several times, and enjoy looking at all the awesome pictures that people bring. This year there were over 40.”

Johnson added, “I had just gotten my peacock picture all framed and ready to go when COVID cancelled the exhibit in 2020. This was the first year the exhibit was back, so it’s been ready and waiting all this time. Back when she first saw the peacock picture, my mom said, ‘That photo is a winner—I want it.’ We made a deal. I told her, ‘If it’s a winner, it’s yours!’”

Nature and wildlife are favorites to focus his camera on, but Johnson also loves creating photo ops with various action figures in realistic settings and especially taking photos of his Green Bay Packers and can often be seen at training camps getting action shots of his favorite players. “I entered a photo of Jordy Nelson in a fancy frame one year. Overheard how someone said it looked like something someone got in a sports shop. I didn’t win that year, but I took that comment as a compliment. Maybe I should have attached a photo meeting him and of Jordy signing it for me.”

He had camera in hand for a couple of Lambeau Leaps coming straight for him and had a great time with the “Leap” celebrating experiences. Johnson also has found a lot of photo opportunities right in Chilton and is often seen around town finding the perfect shot.

So what does Johnson do with all his pictures? “I recently left apartment life and bought a home in Chilton and it has lots of wall space. And as far as the peacock picture goes, she had to wait a long time, but ‘Happy Belated Mother’s Day, Mom!’”