DJ Putonen
Executive Assistant
DJ Putonen, short for Danielle Joy, grew up between Santa Cruz and Merced, California. At just 17, she entered Sonoma State University as a Psychology major with a dream of working within the prison and justice systems. While in college, a friend asked her to photograph her engagement, reigniting a passion for photography from high school that would eventually become a 15+ year career as the owner of Danielle Joy Photography in Sonoma County.
After earning her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Sonoma State University, she spent several years using her degree in education as a Student Advisor, supporting TK–8 students through peer conflict, academic challenges, family trauma, and other difficult circumstances. She continues to run Danielle Joy Photography, where her work centers around people, connection, and helping others feel seen and comfortable in front of the camera.
In 2026, DJ joined Ben Free as Benjamin Frandsen’s Executive Assistant. After learning more about Ben’s story and the work of the Ben Free Project, she felt a familiar sense of purpose returning. For DJ, joining Ben Free feels like coming full circle—a return to the mission she first imagined for herself at 17: helping make a difference in the lives of people impacted by incarceration. Across each chapter of her career, DJ has found herself drawn to the same thing: meaningful connection, positive human interaction, and creating spaces where people feel heard, valued, and seen.