Pableaux Johnson, a beloved New Orleans photographer, food writer, and cook, passed away on Sunday at the age of 59. He was photographing a second-line parade when he experienced cardiac arrest and could not be revived at the hospital. Johnson moved to New Orleans in 2001 and quickly became a fixture in the city.
He embraced the city’s culture and traditions, documenting them through his photography and writing. He was known for his ability to connect with people and bring communities together through shared meals and storytelling. Photographer Gus Bennett, who had worked on projects with Johnson, reflected on his colleague’s impact.
“Like those shadows, Pableaux moved through the crowd,” Bennett said. “While always behind the camera, he was at the forefront of people’s lives. He did something profound for people; he gave them the opportunity to see themselves honestly.”
Big Chief Bo Dollis Jr., a Black Masking Indian, also mourned the loss.
He recently received some photographs from Johnson, who captured images of him in his ceremonial suit. “We just lost one of the great photographers,” he said.
Johnson’s vibrant New Orleans legacy
“When I saw him, I had to open up because he’s going to get one of those shots nobody else is going to have.”
For many years, Johnson brought communities in New Orleans together by serving red beans and rice in his home. His rotating group of guests might include local musicians, famous chefs, visiting journalists, as well as neighbors in need of a meal or friends with broken hearts. “Pableaux had a tradition of having people come to his home and around his table for red beans and rice on Monday nights,” said Freddye Hill, a good friend of Johnson and a documentary photographer.
“He has thousands of pictures of people engaging in everyday activities, usually in the cultural arena.”
Johnson’s final moments were unknowingly captured on camera as he walked through a crowd at Second and Dryades streets. The video, captured by Brandon Knox of Brandon Knox Photography, shows Johnson adjusting to get a photo from a lower angle before collapsing. The community mourns the unexpected loss of a local icon.
Hill finds some peace in knowing her friend died doing what he loved. “He died taking pictures of a group coming out of a bar to join the second line parade. He respected them and gave them all the breath of his expertise to get the right shot,” Hill noted.
Johnson’s family issued a statement saying, “Pableaux loved New Orleans, especially the second lines. He died doing exactly what he loved to do.” Several events will be held in his honor throughout the week.
