I’m Ruby Johnson, although I’m usually called Rubyjfilm in the photography world—or Ruby Rainbow Johnson at the bank or if a cop pulls me over. I am a (mostly 35mm) photographer and writer based in Byron Bay, NSW. I grew up on the Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia and graduated from a Steiner school in 2020, where I spent a lot of time taking photos, playing the violin, and learning how to think critically—and how to question things.

My photography focuses on documenting people in spaces where they feel most themselves—whether in their homes, studios, or on the street. I aim to capture how they live, what inspires them visually, and the details of their everyday lives, making them relatable and human. My core goal is to make them feel seen. For some, that means feeling beautiful when they look at their photo. For others, it’s about feeling heard. For many, it’s about representation. It changes, and that’s why I love it.

My writing follows a similar approach, focusing on arts, culture, world issues, and the human experience, with an emphasis on personal storytelling. I enjoy approaching topics from the outside in, exploring how factors like upbringing, location, and life experiences shape a person’s work and life. I’m interested in how a person’s life informs their art (whatever form it takes), rather than separating the two. Many of the people who pique my interest would never willingly call themselves artists—they simply see themselves as people. I find myself drawn to capturing and understanding the unknowing artist—those who create without seeking recognition or labels. I often gravitate away from vanity and instead focus on offering encouragement to those who may not yet see the value in their own person or creativity. Funny considering I now reside in the egoic hot spot of Byron Bay.

I founded a thing called Halide House in early 2024. I call it a thing because it’s an amalgamation of everything I find precious and important about photography. It’s an online course, a clothing brand, and a community for creative, curious people—especially those who know, love, or are just discovering analogue photography.

It’s something that constantly leaves me feeling emotionally, mentally, and even spiritually fulfilled. I believe that creativity is the answer to many of the world’s current issues. I also believe that, at some point, everyone must decide how they want to spend their time. Social media, mainstream media, and the modern world constantly push materialistic, capitalistic choices at us, but I earnestly believe that choosing to spend your time learning to perceive the world and people around you—rather than constantly evaluating how you are being perceived—is one of the most powerful and intelligent choices you can make.

Halide House offers a life of the latter and wholeheartedly supports you in being your creative, authentic, free-thinking self. You can find more on Halide House at halidehouse.com.