MEET #3113 ANDREW RYAN SHEPHERD
Photographer & Director • New York, NY
In his past life, WNW Member #3113 Andrew Ryan Shepherd worked as an art director and graphic designer. But when he started taking photos on the side, he unearthed a creative satisfaction that he couldn't ignore. Andrew is now a full-time freelance photographer, film director and cinematographer. And looking at his recent work, it is clear that Andrew is fully in his element. Andrew took some time to answer a few questions for WNW, offering generous insights into the mind of an artist. When asked what his ideal Working:Not Working ratio is, Andrew responded, "Ideally, 50/50 seems like a good split for me... That 50% not working is extremely valuable for me in the sense that this is the space when and where ideas are generated — this sort of non-chronological freedom. When I’m not looking at the clock, that’s usually when I feel the most proud of what I made."
Andrew was also more than generous with his advice to fellow freelancers: "Continue to seek out the work that’s most valuable to you, and make that work, even if you have a few projects that are bread and butter. This is what you’ll look back on and love, and it’ll make you remember why you started doing this in the first place. Don’t get bogged down by client work, but find ways to learn about customer experiences, challenge your clients, and make them your collaborators. They’ll trust you more, and the more they trust you, the more willing they’ll be to let your vision guide their project. "
1. How long have you been freelancing? How do you weigh the benefits of freelancing and full-timing?
I’ve been freelancing full-time since 2008, when I left my position as an art director in Dallas. I started off working as a freelance art director and print designer, and during that process I started taking photos, and found that it was personally more satisfying for me creatively.
I eventually made the jump that next year into freelancing fulltime as a photographer. My interest in film has always been there; I was a musician first, a graphic designer second, and a photographer third. Film was the most realistic and satisfying way to synthesize all these interests and technical skills, so when the 5D Mark II came out, I, along with a lot of others during that time, started to try my hand at directing, shooting, and editing video.
2. Is there a time or place that you feel most creative/have the best ideas?
I usually feel most creative when no one’s looking over my shoulder. Personally, for me, this has been between the hours of 5am-8am, because I’ve just gotten a night’s sleep, I feel refreshed, recharged, and know I still have a few hours before clients get into the office to work on my own personal projects, or to fine tune and dream up new solutions for client work.
3. What's your ideal Working:Not Working ratio?
Ideally, 50/50 seems like a good split for me. I love working, as long as the work is the kind I am fulfilled by, so usually the time when I’m not working, there’s probably still something spinning in my head; some new idea I have I want to try on my own time without anyone else’s opinion in the mix.
That 50% not working is extremely valuable for me in the sense that this is the space when and where ideas are generated — this sort of non-chronological freedom. When I’m not looking at the clock, that’s usually when I feel the most proud of what I made.
4. Do your parents understand what you do?
I don’t think they ever will, but that’s not something I fault them for. As descriptive as I can be, what matters more to them is that I’m happy and I feel like I have purpose. I don’t have the expectation that they will understand not only what’s involved in my work life, but also what I create. And generally speaking, the freedom from these types of expectations for everyone, not limited to my parents, allows me to loosen up and make something without the need to always be explaining it. That gets exhausting, and can be a full-time job if you’re not careful.
5. What scene from a movie makes you laugh just thinking about it?
I should probably watch more funny movies — haha. I think most recently, the unfortunate humor of Birdman sticks out to me. The story is so universal and often, for me, the humor in that film manifests itself through my own doubts and lack of self worth. That story is so universal, and it’s the absurdity of that story that makes the humor of it so convicting. The scene where he’s finally flying through Manhattan, through skyscrapers and above all the activity on the street — that’s funny, because I’ve definitely been there myself.
6. If you were stranded on a desert island, with your computer, what 3 websites would you take with you?
If there was a power outlet, I could probably keep that at Vimeo, Nowness, and WNW Member Noah Kalina's portfolio site.
7. What do you do when Not Working?
I write, spend time with my wife, friends, and with my dog. I go out to the city and work on my street photography projects, or shoot timelapses from my personal space. It’s important to me that this time is used to think, mentally explore, and be thankful for existence and how I get to share that with others.
8. Do you have a hidden talent?
I was a serious baseball player for abour 18 years, and for a long time, I thought I was going to pursue a professional career as an athlete.
9. Do you have any tips for freelancers and fellow full-timers?
Continue to seek out the work that’s most valuable to you, and make that work, even if you have a few projects that are bread and butter. This is what you’ll look back on and love, and it’ll make you remember why you started doing this in the first place. Don’t get bogged down by client work, but find ways to learn about customer experiences, challenge your clients, and make them your collaborators. They’ll trust you more, and the more they trust you, the more willing they’ll be to let your vision guide their project.
10. What's your favorite thing on the internet this week?
I know it’s pretty outdated, but lately I’ve been reading back through Neil DeGrasse Tyson’s Reddit AMA. His area of study is so fascinating to me, and he’s a great personality who cares deeply about education, which is very near to me.
11. Name one or two creatives on WNW whose work inspires you.
Ryan Booth and Collin Hughes.