Johnny Hendrikus | Digital Artist

Meet Wellington based Digital Artist and Content Creator Johnny Hendrikus.

Sight, sound and motion, lighting and the grade. Johnny does it all and brings it together to create stunning pieces. He is also the proud owner of a Suzuki Grand Vitara and recently took our Kinetic Yellow Jimny for a spin to capture some epic photos and this amazing video!

We took the opportunity to ask him a few questions about his work, the process and the Suzukis!

Tell us a bit about you and what you do.

1993 Johnny Hendrikus, 28 years on the clock, proudly NZ made and runs best on oat milk flat whites!

Having studied a graphic design degree I ended up a photographer and filmmaker. I've carved my niche out in creating content for social media in the form of image and video, working with clients such as Under Armour, Tourism New Zealand, and more recently Suzuki.

When I'm not deep in the editing suite, you can find me hiking for sunrises, in front of the TV supporting the Hurricanes, or with a bottle of hot sauce.

Who inspires you, and Why?

Working in the creative industry, inspiration comes in all shapes and sizes.

On the surface I get a lot of video ideas simply scrolling Instagram and seeing what other creators are doing, where is I get a lot of inspiration for story telling from other filmmakers like Peter McKinnon and New Zealand's own Flyingfishfilms.

I get a lot of my mindset inspiration listening to Gary Vaynerchuk, and I'm constantly inspired by what other New Zealand photographers are doing - Ryan Domenico, Scott Howes, Joel McDowell to name a few!

What led you to start your own business?

Since graduating five years ago I've been in and out of different jobs. Early in the piece I worked at the NZ Police on the IT Service desk, then cracked my first video & content job in the food team at MPI. I then did three years working for Wellington Tourism, and left after becoming too busy with my side hustle in content creation!

I feel fortunate enough to have established myself in the content creation industry early enough, and recognised the need for good quality video and photography content for a business.

It took a leap of faith to ditch the weekly wage and go full time freelancing, but it's been the best decision I've ever made.

What does your creative process look like?

Creative processes are a funny one and are quite unique to each individual. I'm a self proclaimed serial procrastinator, but hold firmly to the belief that pressure makes diamonds.

Some creatives like to draw and create storyboards, where is I've never been able to draw to save myself so I'm more of a "write a list of essential shots to get" sort of a guy.

My process can often pique from hearing a particular song or soundtrack and I'm instantly like "damn I need to make a video to this track", and then that's it. Or I'll see a photo or video online and I'm like "damn I need to go and shoot there!".

What do you do when you just want to relax?

To be honest, I find it really hard to switch off from photography and content, and more often than not my happy place is a sunrise on a mountain snapping photos.

I guess this is the bi-product of a hobby turned profession where your relaxing time often encroaches on your job, however I'm certainly no stranger to settling in for a good movie or series behind a big bowl of sweet and salty microwave popcorn.

Tell us a bit about your Suzuki. What is your favourite feature and why?

The mighty V6 Salomon Grand Vitara! Plenty of kick, good for 4WD, and there wouldn't be a day that I don't use the sunroof! Nothing like cruising the Surf Highway 45 in the middle of summer, Fat Freddys Drop blaring with the sun pouring in. Bliss.

You’ve also taken our Jimny for a spin, what were your first impressions and what is your favourite thing about it?

The mighty mighty Jimny! Is there anything this little wagon can't do? Boasting a 1.5L engine, a high wheel base and 4WD, the Jimny is the 4WD I never knew I needed.

Thanks to Suzuki NZ I had the opportunity to take the Big Jim for six weeks on a few adventures, and lets just say that's a tick for fuel efficiency, two ticks for accessibility, and three ticks for all of the flashing lights and waves I get on the road from other Jimny drivers. Wassup Jimny crew!

What's next on your agenda?

More photos. More videos, and more adventures to be had. I'm hoping to get amongst some snow this year, maybe try my hand (or feet) at snowboarding, and braving the southerly swells in the winter for some waves out at Lyall Bay.

For the most part it's about looking after the health, the mental health, and just getting stuck in to the content!

Find Johnny and check out his work on Instagram, Facebook and through his website.