Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrew Stankus.
Hi Andrew, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I had just graduated from Miami University in Ohio (yes, there’s a Miami in Ohio) and had a dilemma. What am I going to do the rest of my life? Where should I go? What should I do? I studied filmmaking and photography in school but felt stuck. How do you make money as an artist? Should I go to New York? LA? My best friend convinced me to come to Miami on vacation and the second I stepped onto solid ground here I was hooked; the weather, the beaches it was everything I dreamed of in wanting a place to call home. Shortly after returning to Ohio, I packed up my things and moved my talents to South Beach (just like LeBron). Getting started as a pro in photography was a grind. The first few years living here, I struggled to make a living. Most photo work I did no one wanted to pay me for or they asked if I would take pictures for free. To make ends meet, I took on whatever jobs I could from going door to door selling phone systems or selling title insurance, I took on anything to help pay rent or put food on the table. I finally found my footing working as a server & bartender on Ocean Drive while I built my photo portfolio. I got my first major break working for World Redeye in 2014 shooting events during the day and clubs at night. I began perfecting my craft and style and realized how much I enjoyed the hospitality industry so naturally, I started taking photos of food and restaurants and over time, my photo skills improved and I started picking up more clients. Now I work with several major brands nationally, including hospitality groups, restaurants, hotels, cruise lines and anything in between.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. Some of my biggest struggles came when I first moved down here simply by not knowing anyone and having to build a network from scratch. Secondly, my photos when I first started sucked! It’s amazing how much practice makes perfect comparing some of my earlier images to photos I take today. I needed to greatly improve my skills as a photographer, and that took time and effort, but I developed my style and it has worked well.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I focus my work on commercial photography with a focus on the hospitality industry encompassing food, restaurants, hotels, cruises, and any products that I can help a business sell. My goal is to help a business make money through photography. I most proud of when a business owner comes back to me happy after we complete a photoshoot and the images positively affect their business to help them sell more. What sets me apart from others is that I have actually worked in the hospitality industry doing various jobs from washing dishes, to waiting tables, to bartending to managing so I know what customers like and what they don’t like and how to grab their attention to the images I take.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I work for hire or on any project that anyone needs. Social media has really changed the game and is giving more opportunities for creatives than ever before. Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok. It’s all about grabbing eyeballs.
Contact Info:
- Email: andrew@andrewstankus.com
- Website: https://www.andrewstankus.com/
- Instagram: instagram.com/andrewstankus/
Image Credits
Andrew Stankus
