Meet Andrew Phillips: Image Maker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Andrew Phillips and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andrew, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Well work life balance is important because we were not given a chance at life just to eat, sleep, work, and die. You have to enjoy some of what this planet has to offer. I use to want to work as many hours as possible to get as much money as I could but now…..NO lol. I now aim for less time higher pay. I also have a new found love of travel so I try to do that as much as possible. When you get a change of scene you get a change of mind. SO I think the work life balance is very important.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am always told that I have “added value” which means I bring more to the table than just images. People usually say they really enjoyed the experience of working with me. I guess its just my personality but I always want people to be comfortable and relaxed and happy when they work with me. I feel thats how I got to where I am today in my photographic career. Most of my business comes from word of mouth because I do not do much promoting. I have learned that the more you can create a great experience the more people want to have others have that same experience. I am just a fun loving guy and even on the most serious straight to business shoots, I have to make some one laugh or else I feel like I have failed. Even if every picture comes out great, I still feel unaccomplished.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
So as soon as the bestie gets in I would have to take her to Flying Biscuit so we could get a healthy breakfast. Next we would head over to the Battery to do some shopping and so I can show her how cool the Braves stadium looks. Then after we did some walking and built up an appetite we would head to my favorite place, The Corner Taqueria and get delicious tacos and maybe 3 or 4 beeritas (depending on how much she can handle). After that, if I can still walk, I would want to go see whats happening over at Ponce City Market or Virginia Highland area before heading home to chill and play Street Fighter.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many that I can shout out that have helped me get to where I am. My better half Toshe is always supportive and pushes me to go that extra step if I ever slack or want to get by with the bare minimum. I am always trying to impress my sister Lox so she is an unaware inspiration, plus she always supports what I do whenever and however she can. My Bishop Kemel V. Brown is a STRONG spiritual covering and all around down to earth cool dude who is bivocational and multi talented. So whenever I feel I am over whelmed I just imagine what he has to deal with on a daily basis and it makes whatever i’m going through seem much smaller, which makes me feel better lol. My Auntie Anoa who is a hippie trapped in 2020 and is one heck of a fighter. My small circle of friends who are so talented and always give me good feed back and encourage me to do better. I could go on and on but I’ll just leave it there for now.

Website: www.theampimage.com
Instagram: @theampimage
Twitter: @theampimage
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theAMPimage/

Image Credits
CutiePie Sensei, Mr. Z Fitness, Serenity_Discord, Aaronrivin, se_gianni, Anoa, Porchea Escoto-Richard