Capturing a Shetland Broadcasting Legend
Earlier this week I met up with John Johnston, better known to many as "JJ", for a quick portrait session to mark his upcoming retirement from BBC Radio Shetland. He had just arrived back in Shetland after celebrations with colleagues in Glasgow the night before.
We began at the familiar surroundings of the BBC Radio Shetland studios in Pitt Lane, where John has spent much of the last three decades bringing news and stories to audiences across the isles. From there, we headed down to Lerwick Harbour which provided a fitting backdrop for someone whose career has been so closely connected with Shetland.
John first arrived in Shetland in 1993 to report on the aftermath of the Braer oil spill. What began as an assignment became a lifelong connection with the islands and over the years he has become one of the most recognisable voices in local broadcasting.
To me, there has always been something of the same warmth and comfort in John's voice that I associated with Mary Blance, a sense that whatever was happening, you were listening to someone you trusted and that everything would be alright!
Whether reporting major national stories from Shetland, presenting Good Evening Shetland, or mentoring the next generation of journalists, his contribution to local media has been significant.
As a local photographer I am always interested in documenting people who have played an important role in the community. For many Shetlanders, John's voice has accompanied countless journeys home, evening routines and major local events. It felt important to create a set of portraits to mark the occasion.
As he prepares to sign off for the final time, I would like to thank him for taking the time to be photographed and wish him a long and happy retirement.
John Johnston will present his final edition of Good Evening Shetland on Friday 9th October at 5.30pm bringing to a close a remarkable broadcasting career spanning more than three decades in Shetland.
