Based in Seattle, USA, Andrew Kearns quit his day job to devote his time and energy 24/7 to photographing beautifully moody landscapes and portraits. He believes that’s what life should be and is constantly stoked with what he discovers. Hard to argue with that, we feel. An avid reader, wise at his age (just 21),  Andrew’s work is mature but with a touch of freshness and innocence. Its a winning mix.

1. Why do you make images?

I used to do it for fun, just run around and take a few cool pictures in some rad places, but over time it’s become so much more than that. I mean, it’s the typical answer but it’s true; I make images because I want to display a mood, and have the person feel that mood. Wether it’s a portrait of someone, or a grand expanse of land, I want to display a certain mood and make it apparent to the viewer.

2. What do they mean to you?

They mean a lot to me. First off, they have provided me with enough to live a very free lifestyle, and constantly experience amazing places. I love my job, it’s not even a job. When I’m working, I’m shooting and editing, when I’m not working, I’m shooting and editing. Like come on, that’s the dream. I wouldn’t trade that for anything. Second, they have become so much more than an Instagram post or a “hey guys look at the cool thing I did.”  It’s a whole mess of 10-20mb memories. I look back at them and recall a day I went out and had a great time with some rad people, or that storm that nearly blew us off the mountain. I love nostalgically looking back at images and remembering these times, and getting stoked to create more of memories. 

3. What is life to you? What it should be?

Life to me is to always be stoked and chase your dreams. If you know your limit, you’re doing it wrong; Push your limits further. Take risks, and put yourself in situations where you have no choice but to succeed, and you’ll be astounded at what you’re capable of. I quit my job this past January to pursue a career in photography and video. I had (and still have) no other option but to succeed, and I’m excelling beyond what I expected. Be devoted to your craft 24/7 and you’ll be absolutely amazed at what happens. I’m stoked all the time, loving life more than ever, and doing what I love for work. That to me, is what life should be.

4. Where did you grow up and how did that play a part in your photography?

I grew up all over the place. I was born in Kentucky, lived there for 7 years, moved to Oregon for 4 years, Ohio for 1 year, Tennessee for 2, and have lived in three different places in Washington over the past 7 years now. Living in all those states and now Washington, I have a great respect for where I live. It’s unfair how great Washington is. If it wasn’t for Washington I honestly think I wouldn’t have become a photographer, due to the people I have around me and the landscape that inspires me. I like the fact I lived everywhere else before, because I can’t express how much I appreciate where I live and how easy it makes my job.

5. There are a lot of professions out there – why be a photographer?

It’s never the same, and I get to be creative with whatever I’m doing. I’m always meeting new people, making new friends, and taking pictures of them. It’s so rad! It’s not for everyone, but I love it so much.

6. What is your favorite non-photography pastime?

Hiking before I had a camera with me. I remember times where I didn’t think to take a camera with me on hikes, and I just had my full focus on hanging out with friends and all the amazing landscape that surrounds me. It’s hard to do that now, because I love to capture people in nature and the landscapes themselves, but sometimes it’s nice to put the camera away.

7. What are you reading now?

Interview question #7….. haha dad joke. But really I kind of suck at reading. I just get way distracted and can’t really grasp what I’m reading unless it’s really intriguing. But I feel like a read the book Holes once a year, that’s one of my favorites. I also will re-read To Kill a Mockingbird, Catcher in the Rye, or Great Gatsby any day.

8. Are there any unseen experimental images in your attic you’d like to show us now?

Actually, not really. But I have soooo many ideas I want to try though. I just need models, and a day without anything planned, haha.

9. Who do you respect – in photography or elsewhere?

Most of all my Dad for supporting me in all of this. If it weren’t for him saying “Go for it” I wouldn’t have be doing what I’m doing. Photography wise, there’s a lot of people. But to name some, Dave Sproul, Michael Ugrin, Nick Noren, Mitchell Weholt, Jeff Marsh, Sam Elkins, Brian Daughtry, Alex Strohl, Jared Chambers, and there’s definitely some I’m forgetting. All of these folks are people I’ve looked up to, and have met in person. A few of them have been long time friends, a few I’ve met recently, and even become really close friends with some. But wether they are more or less known, they have all been so rad, down to earth folks. Their work, has constantly inspired me, and hanging out with them gets me stoked on shooting.

10. If you were to start all over again, is there anything you would do differently? Why?

Two things mainly. One I would have started off with only prime lenses. It’s gonna be a better quality image, but also it teaches you to work within the limits of a single focal length. When I switched to only owning a 35mm for a time, I noticed my shot composition got a lot better, and I found when I was more limited I got more creative. And the second thing is seek out the people you look up to. They are usually super rad, and stoked on the same things you’re stoked on. Most of the time they are willing to help out, and answer questions. Just get to know them, be cool, and become friends with them. When I started hanging with these people and surrounded myself with folks going after the same things as me, that’s when I saw my work really starting to improve, and quickly. Oh and I guess a bonus starting out tip, dink around a lot in the programs you’re using, never stop learning it. I still am discovering hidden gems in Lightroom.

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New York based photographer Max Oishi keeps a visual diary of his photographs as a legacy to his family and anyone else interested. Though Max has not pursued a photographic career, his excellent eye captures honest, quiet, subtle moments that leave you reflecting on what life is in its intricacies and moods – his repertoire ranges from lifestyle to portrait to urbanscapes. We can’t help wondering what more we would see if he were to photograph full time. How about it Max?! [ By the way, Max is a staff member for Looks Like Film. And he LOVES trees, can you tell 😛 ]

1. Why do you make images?

I’ve always wanted to keep a diary, but honestly, I’m too lazy to write so I think of my photos as a visual diary. I also do it because, one day, my photos will become my legacy to my family and anyone who may want to see them.   

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2. When did you find your calling in photography?

Just like many other latecomers, I got interested in photography because I wanted to take pictures of my own family and events. Then, I discovered a myriad of resources, software, more and more gear, online groups, etc., and now I’m completely hooked.

3. Where did you grow up and how did that play a part in your photography?

I grew up in Lima, Peru. I moved to New York just over 17 years ago. I can’t say that living in Peru played any role because I hadn’t really discovered photography back then. However, Peru has some great places to visit and photograph – just Google it, so I’m looking forward to our next trip there.

4. Do you have a “second profession” or passion?

I only have one profession, and it’s not photography. Photography would actually be my passion. I’ve been in advertising/sales/marketing my whole career, and I like it this way. I feel that because I don’t have to rely on photography for income, I have complete control of when and what I want to shoot, and don’t have to worry about pleasing clients or anyone else. But, I can’t deny that, at times, I wonder what it’d be like to do it for a living.

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5. What tv are you watching?

Daredevil on Netflix!

6. Are you more of a one-frame-tells-the-story artist or do you prefer collections?

That depends on what I’m shooting. I’m more drawn to outdoors portraits and landscapes, so mostly one frame. But there are times that I may shoot lifestyle or travel, and collections are nice to tell a story.

7. Is/Are there any project(s) you wish you could do – or might do?

There’s so much I’d like to do, and so little time. I’d love to travel more and visit many places, but for now, I’m focusing on my surroundings. When people think of NY, they usually think Manhattan, tall buildings, busy streets, etc. Basically city life, but there’s a lot more to NY – believe it or not. So, whenever I have a chance, I’ll try to show that side of NY that people don’t think about.

8. Do you shoot with your left or right eye?

Left eye at first, but I switched to my right eye when I started using rangefinder style cameras.

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9. Are there any unseen experimental images in your attic you’d like to show us now?

Nope, I do have a ton of images that have never made it out of Lightroom, but I don’t experiment with them. For the most part, my photos show just how I see things. Besides, I really don’t post much online.

10. If you were to start all over again, is there anything you would do differently? Why?

With life in general, no. I wouldn’t change a thing. It may sound silly, but I kinda believe in the Butterfly Effect, and I wouldn’t change my family for anything or risk not having them in my life. If the question was aimed at photography, then I’d only say that I wish I’d started earlier and taken it more seriously years ago.

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Currently studying International Relations at URJC University, Jaime Prades Carrasco is an avid photographer based in Madrid, Spain. He says life is like a highway in one direction but you get to choose the detours. Sweet! Jaime’s portfolio includes a wide selection of works around portraits, streets, travel, weddings and photojournalism. Hear what Jaime has to be about being a photographer – wise words from someone so young (he’s 19!)

1. What is life to you? What it should be?

For me that is a simple question with a difficult answer. Life is a complex set of emotions and feelings, but on top of all is an incredible compilation of surprises. Life is a highway in one direction but with many detours which won´t assure you where will we end up. However you will always hope that when you look back in time , you can tell yourself that you have chosen the right path for you even though it wasn´t the want you were willing to take at the first place. In any case, you won’t regret your decisions, and you would be sure that the unexpected was always the right for you, and that the decisions you had been making during the journey were those that had to be. That you did the right thing.

2. There are a lot of professions out there – why be a photographer?

Because you can be yourself, you have the ability to create art, to witness wonderful things, moments from other people´s lives… And above all, you have the feeling that even though time goes by, a part of you will be present in the form of photography. I suppose that is one way to achieve immortality on earth, it´s the ability to create physical memories for people, in which you will always be present, forever.

3. How much is your family an influence on the way you view life, see things?

A lot, since I was a child they have always encouraged me to pursue my dreams, to not give up, to fight for what I want. I am 19 years old, but they have been more than enough to realize that without my family, many things would have been different, beginning with myself.

4. What is your favourite non-photography passtime?

Are there any other hobbies besides photography?

5. What movie did you love recently?

Interstellar, it is the only film I’ve gone to see twice to the cinema in my life

6. Is/Are there any project(s) you wish you could do – or might do?

A friend of my father has given me his Hasselblad 500c, so I have started to learn how to take photos with it. It is with no doubt the project that thrills me the most, and the one I have chosen to focus on at the moment

7. Is there a big difference between your personal work and commissioned work?

No, I always try to do the commissioned work as personal as possible, I always try to be as “me” as I can. I always try to impregnate a little bit of myself in any kind of work, it doesn´t matter if it is personal, commissioned or any other type.

8. Do you shoot with your left or right eye?

Right eye    

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9. Are there any unseen experimental images in your attic you’d like to show us now? 

{One month ago} I have just landed in Spain, I come from a wonderful one week trip in Morocco and I would like to show you some pictures I’ve done in this amazing country

10. If you were to start all over again, is there anything you would do differently? Why?

I wouldn’t do anything different, this is just the beginning for me, so I guess I’ll have many other opportunities to make mistakes and learn from them in the future

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