Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrew Neish.
Hi Andrew, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
It all started with a Nikon D60 that was given to me at the age of 13. One of the parents from my younger brother’s football team saw that I was interested in photography and decided to pass on his old camera… a gift that I will never forget. A professional camera was something that I never thought of asking for as a kid. Maybe it was because I always took pictures with a phone or the digital camera that I would steal from my mom. Don’t worry, I always gave it back… after I deleted all of the pictures, I took of literally EVERYTHING. From birds in the sky, people in the streets, food, you name it! Family trips were my favorite to capture. Taking pictures was just a hobby that I really enjoyed.
My first gig was to be the primary photographer for my younger brother’s football games. His team used me all the way up until I graduated high school at 17, so four years. Aside from sports photography, I also did a lot of self-portraits. This is how I learned how to not only use my camera efficiently but also how to edit photos in many different ways. I would sit and watch YouTube tutorials all day on how to edit using different techniques… which I still do today. You can never stop learning! ‘Illvsions’ [Illusions/Ill Visions] was created my sophomore year at the Georgia Institute of Technology (GA Tech), where I studied Computer Engineering. I settled on this name and spelling to describe the feeling of my audience when he or she sees my art…multiple perspectives. When you think of the word ‘Illusion’, you think of something that is wrongly perceived or interpreted by the senses. Now, combine this with ‘Ill Vision’ and you get something that is visually appealing. When it comes to photography, I would say my style is very eclectic. I love trying new things and taking on new challenges; therefore, as you take a deeper look into my Portfolio, you will see a wide range of styles.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road by far, as I found myself getting discouraged many times along the way. The main problem that I faced was comparing myself to other photographers and where I wanted to be. It was not until maybe a year ago that I decided that I would stick to what I enjoyed most about my photography and create a lane of my own. Changing my thought process alone has brought me a great deal of success. Another problem I had to overcome was the people that did not see and understand the beauty in what I do and would fret about my prices being too high. My prices for different types of photography are based on my skillset and the value of my work. I now have an understanding of the clients that appreciate my artwork. These clients are the ones that I enjoy working with.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a photographer that specializes in portrait photography. My personal favorite are outdoor photoshoots with natural lighting. This is because I love the integrity that comes from portraits that do not require an entire setup with lots of equipment… just me, my camera, and my subject. What makes me most proud of what I do is the responses that I receive from my clients once they see the raw footage from their photoshoot. The genuine excitement from each client pushes me to do more and continue to better myself. One thing I always say is “I do not take pictures; I capture moments.” This sets me apart from other photographers because I am not just snapping pictures, hoping to get a good shot. My sessions consist of me getting to know my client while capturing candids. This tactic has helped me 100% of the time, which makes working feel less like of a job.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Literally, YouTube and Instagram are two of my favorite apps when it comes to photography. Instagram is full of different creatives that inspire me and push me to exceed my own expectations of myself, while YouTube is full of informational videos that I have spent countless hours learning. Learning from other photographers when it comes to tips, tricks, dos, and don’ts has definitely made a huge impact on Illvsions Photography.
Pricing:
- Outdoor Session (starts at $200 for 1 hour)
- Studio Session (starts at $250 for 1 hour)
- Beauty Session (starts at $250 for 1 hour)
- Product Photography (starts at $175)
- Fashion Photography (starts at $300) [Clothing Brands]
Contact Info:
- Email: Andrew@illvsions.org
- Website: https://www.illvsionsphotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mr.Neish/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Illvsions.photos
Image Credits
Andrew Neish with Illvsions Inc.
