Time period/Baraboo: 1957 - present
Submitted by: Downtown Baraboo, Inc. and Baraboo Chamber of Commerce

William Stephen Johnsen was born January 8, 1954 in Mattoon, Illinois. His father, Wilbur Johnsen, moved Bill and the rest of the family to Baraboo when Bill was three. It was during high school Bill fell in love with photography. After graduation Bill joined the United States Navy and served during the Viet Nam War. His specialty was avionics. Upon discharge from the military Bill moved back to Baraboo and started an autobody shop where he painted cars. He met his wife, Deb, shortly after and there were joined in marriage in 1977. With the news of a baby on the way he switched to the insurance business and joined his father’s business in 1981. He has been working in the insurance field ever since, growing the business and bringing the third generation on board with his son, Mike.

“You gotta love Baraboo” is a favorite saying of Bill Johnsen and that love is apparent in the photographs he creates. Evidence of Bill’s art can be found all around the Baraboo community in the portfolios and advertising of groups like the Al. Ringling Theater, Downtown Baraboo, Inc., and the Baraboo Chamber of Commerce. Bill is a member of the national Professional Photographers Association and has also completed the PPA’s difficult certified Professional Photographers program. He is the only nationally certified professional photographer in Sauk County and is a master of remote and robotic drone mounted systems. Photography pervades nearly every aspect of Johnsen’s life. As Bill puts it, “I always have a camera with me.” It is perhaps natural that Bill would focus his lens on his home town, but as his photos show, his images capture a sense of joy. A sentiment best expressed by Bill himself: “You have to love life. If you do that you see beauty and excitement everywhere!”