Sara Montour Interviews Andrew Shepherd

What's your favorite image this week?

I think it would have to be this image by Andrew Phelps, whose work I both respect and adore:

Untitled, Niigata, Japan, 2009 — from the series Not Niigata © Andrew Phelps

Who or what would be your dream subject to shoot?

I would be absolutely thrilled to photograph Radiohead. (Yada yada yada, I know.) Not necessarily in a live setting or in a strictly formal portraiture setting. But if I could spend a month with them on the road, documenting their behaviour in that particular context (the context of no context, if you will), live performances, unplanned and planned portraiture — a synthesis of those types of imagery, then well, I'd be kinda excited.

You're a super talented writer, as well as photographer, is that something you're equally passionate about?

Oh thank you! I guess my desire to describe experiences, make statements about reality as I've come into an understanding of them, and to be a Storyteller preceded my ability to focus a camera. My creative aspirations transformed from the singular act of drawing (which I have been doing since I was very young) into writing music (see above: Radiohead) when I was in high school, which would pave the way for experimentation in different forms — particularly graphic design and writing. When I lived in New York for a small time just after graduating from university, I purchased a camera.

Everything I do creatively comes from a central desire to tell the story — not only biography or autobiography — but the Metanarrative of which we are all participants. I think that personally the form which allows me to do that best is photography, while I still find it valuable and fulfilling personally to write whenever I can. I would love to eventually be doing work that synthesizes those two practices.

You just moved into a new house, right? Where is home now?

Yes! A big turn of the century home in Dallas, Texas with three friends. I spend a lot of my time traveling (and if not, dreaming of traveling), so it is good to call a place home that not only carries in it the solidity of friends and family, but also feels like it.

Are there any places you've traveled to/lived in that still feel like home?

I've spent a bit of time living in and traveling back and forth to New York City, which doesn't include all the trips I've taken in my mind. I feel very comfortable and welcome in Manhattan, even though it may be the most uncomfortable and unwelcoming place I've been.

I love your mobile photos and find myself continually drawn to my phone camera instead of my SLR. What's the draw for you?

One of the draws is associated with either my inability or lack of desire to carry my "big" DSLR arround. That thing can weigh 10lbs if it has the right lens on it!

I think, though, the most attractive aspect of using only my iPhone to make images is that possibilities are limited. When parameters are constructed, creativity becomes more genuine and intentional.

Favorite iPhone app for photography?

MillColour. It's a very stripped down app compared to others like LoMob, Hipstamatic, or even CameraBag. The advantage it has over each and all of those is manual image adjustment (as opposed to presets only) — you're able to manipulate Saturation, Contrast, as well as both of those in each color channel. And it's free.

I also use Photoshop.com Mobile for cropping now and then.

One thing that seems common with all the vagabonds is our interest in capturing + exploring everything around us. So much so that I think the genre lines in our photography is blurred and we're not solely "wedding" or "portrait" photographers. What specialty do you mainly focus on?

Last year I shot a lot more weddings than I did portraiture (26). Most of my spare time was spent with friends & family, and if not that, photographing music and personal landscape/nature stuff, which is mostly what you'll see me post on this space.

If supporting yourself financially wasn't an issue would that specialty still be your focus or would you shoot something else?

I would definitely love to get on short legs of tours with musicians and tell that story (and be able to travel for free of course!). If I could do 8-10 tours a year and then shoot gallery work the rest of the year, I think that would be really satisfying especially considering the types of subject matter I'm not only drawn to, but that that schedule would allow me to focus on.

I love your music photos and it's so fun to see how each of the vagabonds see live music. What made you want to start shooting concerts?

I've been writing and playing music over ten years now, and a live music environment is a very natural and comfortable place for me. Before I had a camera and after I stopped playing music as much, I went to as many shows as I do now — it's just that now I'm shooting.

Above that, the most meaningful part of photographing live music is not making cool photos or whatever. It's about being a part of a thing that changes culture. In my opinion music is not only an indicator of the state and the direction of culture as external language — but it also speaks to the culture itself, presenting ideas, informing behavior, and ultimately changing its course. Music, like all art, (but specifically music I think) speaks from within culture, alongside culture, but also to culture. It's very powerful I think.

To be a part of something that moves, directs, informs (and perhaps, redeems) culture is a magnetic and inspiring idea to me. So I shoot and I contribute what I can to the artists, the art, for the flourishing of human culture. I guess that's sort of my mission statement, though I haven't written it until now.

Favorite concert you've shot?

I had a chance to shoot Andrew Bird when he was in Dallas -- I guess it back in March. That was probably my favorite to shoot, though it was too crowded to really move about freely. I had a 70-200mm and so while I got a few frames, none of them I liked as much as this one of Alexandra Lawn of Ra Ra Riot, which was easily one of the top 3 shows I saw in 2009.

Does that count?



What's on your iPod/record player/tape deck/8-track currently?

Right now my iPod is full of the local songwriters here in Texas (in an effort to present and contributing to a context) Sarah Jaffe, Fox and the Bird, Doug Burr, Midlake, Spooky Folk, & Seryn for starters.

On the record player lately is Bob, OK Computer, and Abbey Road. I have a few Pablo Cruise records my dad left over at my apartment, but they haven't enjoyed what I'd call heavy rotation.

Are there any inspiring photographers/blogs/websites we should know about?

I may be out of the loop, but here are a few of my portraiture/music favorites lately:

Danny Clinch

Elizabeth Weinberg

Emily Shur

Eric Anderson (You may find me in one of his music portfolios)

A few collective/emerging sites:

Flak Photo

MJR

I'm not one for New Year's resolutions, but I tend to get very nostalgic and re-evaluate my goals at the end of the year. Has the beginning of 2010 brought any changes or new ways of thinking for you?

As much as I love to travel, I am really focusing on being Present. It's something, looking back, I haven't done too well with -- not looking too far forward into planning and paths but looking at Us, the most important thing (our shared existence), honing in on it, and allowing it to provide center ethically.

What do you hope to achieve before 2011 hits us?

While I would love an editorial tear sheet or two, I hope to love more deeply and genuinely than I have before. And to know how that will come across in my work is exciting.

Any slices of wisdom to leave us with?

Twirling hair really does help with focus.