Western Winds

01/19/2025

Let’s talk tallow!

Recently have decided to hopefully help better my skin to only use tallow products on my face, but with that comes sourcing tallow lotion and soap. The soap and lotion I have pictured here is from Prairie Siren who I’ve purchased soap and lotion from before, and she has such amazing products. But I wanted to put myself to the challenge and try to make my own not for sale, but just to see if I could do it. So I started my journey very late last night and I’m continuing it on today. To start, I am rendering the beef fat down. I’m using a leaf fat, which is kidney fat that I sourced from Yellowstone River Beef in Williston, North Dakota. I’m so excited to try this out, and I have been documenting the whole entire journey to hopefully educate others about how tallow is amazing for your skin and I’m hoping it helps clear my acne and gets me wedding ready by October. Stay tuned for some fun facts about tallow in the health benefits that come with it, but also make sure to check out Prairie Siren page, and look at her Etsy to order some products for yourself. I can testify that her products are very, very good and high-quality! 

12/28/2024

As I look back on this past year I notice how much I have grown.
I may have not furthered Western Winds as much as I would have liked, but I grew in other directions.
I decided on my future career and learned more in my past year of college.
I grew as an adult and connected back with my inner child as well.
This coming year will be full of many new experiences, but I look forward to my goals with this page and all other connected media.
Western Winds is and always will be a passion of mine, just finding my creative spark again has been difficult.
School has definitely burned me out, but I hope to hit the ground running again in 2025.
I hope to grow Western Winds, but also need to remember a step back never hurts and I will always come back stronger.
I appreciate everyone that follows me and supports me on this rocky road and I hope to expand what I started very soon!
This year has been full of great life changing experiences that have helped spring new ideas into fruition.
Keep your eyes out as I soon hope to start releasing all the new ideas I have been planning.

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” ~ 2 Corinthians 4:16

12/24/2024

Merry Christmas from Western Winds!
We hope you have a safe, fun holiday with family and friends.
May the hot chocolate be warm and the sugar cookies be soft!
Keep the lord in your heart and celebrate the birth of our Savior!

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" Isaiah 9:6

11/10/2024

When I first started Western Winds, never would I have thought that I would need such a long time off to figure out life.

The funny part about it all is I never will have life figured out, so why not just keep going with what I got?

Finally I am ready to return to my roots and expand Western Winds fully.

I have a huge line up of projects I am working on and one of those is a YouTube channel and revamping the podcast!

We are starting the new year on the right foot and we are going to keep my vision and dream going!

Thank you for believing in me and following along with this journey!

Sincerely,
Layne Johnson ❤
(Special thanks to my friend Savannah for helping me capture this amazing picture!)

11/06/2024

Two years ago Western Winds was born! Even though I have been off for a while figuring out life and school I have a whole bunch of new ideas and things coming this month! Stay on the lookout for updates because they will be coming it’s just talking a little longer for planning! Thank you all for being with me for these past 2 years and sticking with me during my time off to become better and expand!

07/17/2024

Western Winds is accepting new clients!

We have revamped our website and you are now able to book sessions through the website. Of course, you can still book through messenger too!

We would love to shoot memories that will last forever for you and your family!

I am so excited to share my passion and stories with you! To learn more about us please visit the About tab. If you would like to book a session with us, visit the book session! If you are looking to see what our past work looks like please visit the Portfolio tab. Our stories, sponsors, contact, an...

05/12/2024

Congratulations to these grads that walked the stage yesterday! It was such a joy to take your pictures and I hope you had a great time! Cheyenne Schisler McKinley Muhlbauer

05/12/2024

04/18/2024

Take it slow…
Take it slow down that old backroad.
Take it slow and watch the sun set and rise.
Take it slow through the beaten path.
Take it slow and watch your heart grow fond of someone.
Take it slow and appreciate the small things.
Take it slow and take the backroad home.
Take it slow and watch the wildflowers grow.
Take it slow and be there to calm those in a rush.
Take it slow because before you know it the time will go too fast.
Take it slow as you grow.
Take it slow….
Jeremiah 2:25: "Slow down. Take a deep breath"

04/16/2024

I reflect on a lot currently about what I have and how I have been living. I have come to realize that throughout everything I have achieved so much that pushing hard forward only drains you. To keep achieving the goals I have set I need to slow down and breathe, let it come when the time is right. There is no rush, but that doesn’t not mean stop working. Instead sit on the porch and watch the sun set, take that time off to enjoy something you love, or go out to eat and sit in your vehicle for hours reflecting with your favorite music. Your goals and dreams will still be waiting, there is no rush. Take your time and enjoy the life God has set out for you. He knows your path and smiles down on you throughout it all!
Proverbs 21:5: "Plan carefully and you will have plenty; if you act too quickly, you will never have enough"

04/14/2024

Times come and go but the memories will last a lifetime.
At times it is hard to remember that no matter the moment it will always come to an end, but the memories will stay. Holding on with every second passing knowing that it will end, but remembering the memories shall stay. Even throughout the journey remembering to soak in every moment will only keep the memory strong. The memories we make are worth more than money or gold. It is about living in the moment and being present. Sitting and watching the life you created and enjoying the path that unfolds, even if unpleasant at the time. Smiling through the tough times to know that the days you miss and love can be remembered with the rocky road. Create the memories. Do not be afraid and live.
Psalm 90:12: "So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart".

04/12/2024

A dream…
A dream that I feel as every moment passes I will wake up.
A dream when I feel as if everything that is happening will go away soon.
A dream that I do not feel is real.
A dream where the path feels constantly clear.
A dream as I lay my head to rest feels as if it will end
A dream of solitude.
A dream of happiness.
A dream that isn’t actually a dream…. It is life.
"May he give you the desire of your heart and make (all your dreams) all your plans succeed" Psalm 20:4

03/15/2024

03/15/2024

I am so excited to release the final of The Burning Ivy business photos! I absolutely love working with Cecil and Paige so much and they have become great friends to me! I was so honored when asked if I could do these for them and I gotta say they turned out beautiful! Paige Brownfield is such a beautiful model and am so excited to do more for them! Make sure to check out The Burning Ivy in Laramie and get some cute plants and decor!

Proverbes 29:7
"Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel."

01/31/2024

Took a break to focus on getting this semester started on the right foot… and learn some graphic design! So excited for this next step in my career and I found I absolutely love to make graphics! Maybe soon I’ll be designing t-shirts 😉 For now enjoy my creation of the energy Kacey Musgraves gives off for an assignment!

01/06/2024

Hey everyone! We have redone our entire website! That being said you can now book photo sessions on our website!!! Check it out and let us know if we need to fix anything!

My name is Layne Johnson. A current student at the University of Wyoming studying agricultural communications. I have a profound passion for agriculture, creative writing, and educating many on the life that seems hidden to most. Originally, I come from Montana off of a small ranch in the north east...

01/02/2024

Taking a look back on some amazing fair photos I was able to take at our local Sheridan County Fair! I was so amazed at how these turned out as this was my first time taking action shots! These amazing kids and people were great models even though they didn't need to try!

Have a look though and enjoy the warm weather photos!!

Layne