Asya Johnson ’26: Photographer & Creative Leader
Asya Johnson ’26 is an Art major from Chicago. Whitman College’s tight-knit community helped Asya turn connections into opportunities to grow her photography portfolio through classes and local internships.
Asya’s Whitman Highlights:
- Summer Fly-In alum and leader
- Member of Whitman’s Black Student Union
- Founder of Whitman's Photography Club
Asya’s Whitman experience began with the Summer Fly-In Program, where she quickly found a sense of community and the support to navigate her first year. She returned as a Fly-In leader to welcome incoming students and serve as a resource to help them thrive.
Asya gained hands-on photography experience through an internship with Calliope Creative Studio, where she worked alongside local photographers and developed her artistic talents.
The relationships Asya built with friends, mentors and peers played a major role in her college experience, giving her the confidence to explore new opportunities in her field. Some of her favorite memories come from creating and sharing her work and seeing how others connect with her art.
What’s next? Asya plans to stay in Walla Walla, continuing her work with Calliope Creative Studio while growing her photography portfolio and building her own business.
Read more about Asya’s journey to founding Whitman’s Photography Club.
“Put yourself out there, connect with others and take advantage of opportunities. You never know where those connections might lead.
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Meet the Class of 2026
Catch up with more of Whitman’s newest graduates as they looked back at the experiences, friendships and insights that shaped their time at Whitman. Browse more highlights.