How a UQ graduate became the personal photographer for Dick Van Dyke
“We're on the brink of adventure, children. Don't spoil it with questions.”
But how else are we going to find out how a UQ science and education graduate became the personal photographer for legendary entertainer and Mary Poppins star Dick Van Dyke?
UQ graduate Laura Johansen with Dick Van Dyke.
UQ graduate Laura Johansen with Dick Van Dyke.
Contact caught up – virtually – with Laura Johansen (Bachelor of Science ’01, Bachelor of Education (Secondary) ’06) from her Californian home to hear more about her professional relationship with the world’s most famous chimney sweep, who turned 96 on December 13.
Q: How did you meet Dick Van Dyke and how did you become his photographer?
A: It’s a funny story, and I love to tell it as it’s so random and wonderful.
It was 2015 and I had just had a photoshoot at Malibu Beach postponed. So, I went to see my friend’s art exhibit instead, with camera in hand.
My friend and I walked into the playhouse and came face-to-face with Dick Van Dyke and his wife, Arlene Silver.
While I was taking photos, I could see that somebody from their group was photographing him with a phone. As a photographer, I couldn’t help myself. I could see the lighting was all wrong – they had a window behind his head, and it was completely backlit.
I thought I should I help them direct the light a bit better. I told them that I had my professional camera and could take some better pictures.
He was such a delight and said, “of course!”
One of the first photos Laura Johansen took of Dick Van Dyke at the Malibu Playhouse.
One of the first photos Laura Johansen took of Dick Van Dyke at the Malibu Playhouse.
As I was taking the photos, I could tell he was a total gem. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to take some more ‘fun’ photos.
This is when the magic happened. I had him read from his book (Keep Moving: And Other Truths About Living Well Longer) and asked him to give me all the emotions in the book in five seconds through facial expressions. It was just brilliant, as he really is the master of facial expressions.
I showed him the photos I’d taken on the back of my camera. He loved the samples and asked if I could send some to him.
I sent a selection through. He loved the photos and asked what I was doing Thursday. The rest is history.
Q: What has been one of the highlights of working with the Van Dykes in 2021?
A: The Van Dykes put on a Halloween spectacular for their neighbourhood each year, although the last few years have been a little different due to COVID-19.
They put on a huge production and Dick usually wears a crazy costume, so no one knows it’s him.
Laura Johansen with her family at Dick Van Dyke's Halloween spectacular.
Laura Johansen with her family at Dick Van Dyke's Halloween spectacular.
My kids get to be involved and they love it. Both Dick and his wife just adore the kids and at the end of the night, the kids get the leftover candy. It’s a highlight of their year.
Q: Dick Van Dyke was recognised at the Kennedy Center Honors this year and you got to attend. Tell us about this event?
A: I’d received my COVID-19 vaccine a few months before, and it was the first time I’d been out with people in about a year. Even though we were vaccinated, we were still being very careful. It was a such a buzz – a fun and exhausting event.
It’s a five-day event, and Dick was one of five recipients. Some of the special guests included Chita Rivera, Yo-Yo Ma, Garth Brooks, Gladys Knight, Phylicia Rashad, Joan Baez, Kelly Clarkson, Gloria Estefan, Emmylou Harris, and Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi. Steve Martin and fellow Mary Poppins star Julie Andrews made virtual tributes.
One of the best moments from the event was when Director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Dr Anthony Fauci, arrived.
Dick is a massive fan of Dr Fauci. When he saw Dr Fauci walk into the room, I could tell he was starstruck. So, I asked Dick if he wanted a picture with him. He stood up and started taking these giant strides over to him, held out his hand and said: “Hi, I’m Dick Van Dyke”.
Dr Fauci said, “Of course, I know who you are. You’ve brought a lot of happiness to the whole world”.
Without missing a beat, Dick replied, “Well, I could say the same thing about you!”
It was such a cute moment. It was just the two of them and me. That’s when I snapped a photo.
Dick Van Dyke meets Director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Dr Anthony Fauci at the Kennedy Center.
Dick Van Dyke meets Director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Dr Anthony Fauci at the Kennedy Center.
I've never seen Dick fanboy over anyone before – it was definitely a moment I’ll never forget.
And, of course, Dick met President Joe Biden too! The President bowed to Dick when they met. I wasn’t allowed in for that though, due to pandemic restrictions. But I did meet and chat with President Biden’s sister.
Q: What’s your connection to UQ, and how did you end up living in the US?
A: I did my Bachelor of Science degree straight out of school, and I really enjoyed it. I loved the science, however [she points to her red hair] I was getting very sunburnt being a scientist out in the field. I thought, I can’t really see myself doing this for much longer.
So, I went back to UQ to study education, which I loved as well. But something told me I wasn’t going to end up being a teacher.
Towards the end of my education degree, I was doing my practical placement at Brisbane Girls Grammar. For whatever reason, they had me teaching the Year 12 multi-strand science course, ‘the science of photography’.
All I could think was that I'd never touched a camera in my life, and I didn't know what I was doing. They threw me in the deep end and said, ‘here's all your chemicals and here’s the camera equipment, read the manual and make sure the kids get an A’.
No pressure!
I quickly taught myself how to use a camera and ventured out to take some black and white shots of Brisbane. I still have all those pictures – they were really beautiful.
I taught the class – they all got good marks – and they let me keep the camera. So, that’s really where it all began.
I moved to the US more than 14 years ago, and now I work around the world doing portrait photography, based in Los Angeles. Now I’m here, sitting on the other side of the world, talking with you about one of the greatest international treasures of all time, Dick Van Dyke.
Interview: Hayley Lees
Editing and design: Michael Jones
Photography: Laura Johansen, Alaura Imagery & Design
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