Maybe I’ve never liked photos of myself, so I always find myself on the other side of the camera. From behind the camera, I can see more of who I am than what I look like. I see my style, my focus, and my fingerprints. I can see what I feel when I photograph something unexpected, interesting, or just a rare moment that clicks with me. I go for goosebumps. I thrive for eureka. Comfort and safety is of the utmost importance when I take portraits, as I have found that both are necessary to be revealing and open, to be fully present with yourself and your surroundings. I want my work to express emotion and warrant a reaction, but more importantly, I want to capture magic; a moment in a time and place that won’t ever be repeated.

From my oldest memories, I’ve been creating and finding a way to express my imagination; from drawing cartoons and comic strips when I was a kid, writing storyboards and designing comic book characters, then learning to play guitar and studying music in college, I’ve always been entranced by the creative spark. I enjoy the thought process of developing an idea or theme, and the enthusiasm and excitement that follows inspiration. Music is my first love for sure, but finding the right moment to capture with a camera, a singular frame of still life, is the same for me as connecting with a song. It’s dancing with a different medium. Obviously, I take a spiritual side to things, believing in the importance of a shared and welcomed experience, and I like to document it when I can. I am weird and proud of it.

I’ve been taking and editing photographs for 18 years now, whether from a 1980s Pentax film camera or on my phone, my goal is that I continue documenting the magic that others create by being present in a momentary space, and that the process will always fill me with awe and gratefulness. I’d love to work with you along the way, and share with me a moment, to see what we can see.

Drew Radley Studios

photo@drewradleystudios.com

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