Q&A

Andrew Wilkinson, Central New Jersey based photographer works in both Princeton, NJ and Trenton.

Did you go to school to study photography?
Sort of, yes. I attended a State University in Pennsylvania and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Media, Communications and Technology. At that time there were a lot of process photography classes – from E6 to 8×10, so I took them all.

How long have you been a photographer?
Well, it’s been a long time. After school I was pursing design and worked for many advertising firms and film companies in both London and Philadelphia. When I came back to the area where my parents lived, I picked up photography again as a hobby.

When did you go professional?
I think I went professional as I was passing through various business networking groups many years ago. I started to get hired and referred a lot. I still feel that I’m ‘going professional’ – every year I grow, and it makes me feel that I’m really getting the hang of it. Now I have a studio, I’m feeling freer with what I’m able to accomplish.

What’s your studio like?
The studio is a 100 year old brick building Trenton. I share the space with a close friend who is an artist – so, there’s always something interesting going on there. So, the building has amazing natural light and everything is moveable – it’s moreover a blank canvas to create and build sets for the shoots.

What is it you like about photography?
The possibilities, the combination of art and science and the random and spontaneous things that happen during the process.

Something you’re still learning?
Lighting, lighting and more lighting. I watch a lot of lighting tutorials, read lighting books and experiment in the studio with all types of different lighting techniques.

We know that each of us has someone or something, which inspires our life and work. Can you tell us the true basis of your inspiration?
I am truly inspired by fine art, nature and ideas. I love brainstorming and throwing ideas around and elaborate plans.