If a picture speaks a thousand words, David Johnson, director of Matthews-based nonprofit Silent Images, has a lot to say.

As a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill, David spent many years teaching and coaching tennis. Through travel he found his passion for capturing stories through photography. In 2006, on his first major assignment in Darfur, Sudan, David realized his ability to tell the stories of those who cannot speak for themselves: those impacted by genocide. As David explains, “It was out of this conviction that I founded Silent Images and wrote and published Voices of Sudan in 2007 and Voice of Beauty in 2009.” Silent Images is now a nonprofit with a full team of photographers and filmmakers who provide visual storytelling to other charities.

David not only lives in downtown Matthews but as director for Silent Images, he also works there. On any given day you’ll see him zipping around town on his bike or outside spending time with his wife and daughters. Work and family blend seamlessly through proximity.

Whether behind the camera or guiding his staff, David continues to empower stories to be told.