Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Ryan Schroeder.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
Creative expression has been a part of my life from a very young age. I am a San Diego native and was home schooled from 1st to 8th grade, which gave me the freedom to incorporate a wide range of artistic mediums into my daily learning. Heading into high school I knew I wanted to pursue a career in the arts and eventually landed on photography as my favorite form of artistic creation. After a long senior year of producing a personally meaningful and technically appropriate photography series for college applications, I landed an acceptance letter to the University of Southern California’s Roski School of Art and Design.
There, I emphasized my studies in fine art photography, with a dash of design classes and a Spanish minor on the side. Now, a year and a half out of college, I’m still discovering what sort of photography career I’d like to grow. I spend my time photographing anything from graduation portraits to weddings to artisanal products, while (more recently) starting to dive back into the fine art side of my work. I figure if I just keep shooting and building connections in San Diego’s creative community, my career as a photographer will slowly grow itself!
Please tell us about your art.
I am a photographer. I like to create images that document everyday subjects and settings, usually with natural light in domestic or remote nature settings. I prefer to work with film cameras (there’s something I find so much more personally rewarding about the analog process), but do occasionally work in digital to keep costs down.
I have always been captivated by photographs that turn new focus on common-often-mundane affairs. I am fascinated by the artistically composed scenes of Larry Sultan, William Eggleston or Dorothea Lange, whose images intimately capture the intrinsic vulnerability of the world in an unavoidably relatable manner. Thus, I approach my own photographic practice as a sort of observational meditation. The process of composing photographs of the environments and people that surround me allows me to slow down, build close relationships and reflect.
If there’s one thing I’d like my viewers to take away from my work (at the risk of sounding cliché), it’d be to never forget to make time to stop and smell the roses. Now, more than ever, with the world in such hate-driven divide, I believe it is of the utmost importance to intentionally connect with our surroundings on an intimate, personal level, actively acknowledging the shared pains and joys and passions that are reflected across each of our unique experiences, so as to foster understanding, inclusivity and empathy.
We often hear from artists that being an artist can be lonely. Any advice for those looking to connect with other artists?
I’ve actually found being an artist to be a very social experience! Perhaps this comes from the nature of the style of photography I enjoy. However, I believe as an artist it is super important to constantly surround yourself with other creatives to get inspired, stay motivated and gather constructive feedback. San Diego has a lot of awesome galleries, museums and other art hubs that are constantly hosting workshops, exhibition openings and more artist social events – get out there and make some art friends! We’re friendly people, I promise. Just a Google search away. Some creative communities in San Diego that I’ve recently come across and highly recommend connecting with are Creative Mornings SD, Medium Festival of Photography, Creative Circle, You Belong Here SD and Good Friday gallery.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
The main platforms for my work right now are my website and my Instagram profile. You can support me by following me on the gram, considering me as a hire for any of your photographic needs, and staying tuned for the future exhibitions I hope to produce! I also always love a good chat with a fellow creative, so if you’re interested in collaborating or just saying “hi,” please don’t hesitate to send me an email.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.amandaryanschroeder.com
- Email: amandaryanschroeder@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandaryan.photo/
Image Credit:
Amanda Ryan Photography
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