andris

About me

Since graduating college with a Physics degree, I've spent time as a wildland firefighter, a State Department diplomat, an adventure trip leader, and an Asia-traveling backpacker. While that sounds more like the resume of a schizophrenic than a photographer, it's my sense of adventure that's the common thread.

That same sense of adventure is one of the two things that drives me to search out new things to capture through my camera lens. The other is my belief that a major problem facing the world today is an empathy deficit. I think photography can help decrease the deficit by allowing viewers to connect with subjects, and I want to be part of that.

Why I travel

To make life simple again. To push my boundaries. To learn. To connect. To photograph.

Travel style

Light, fast, and somewhat at random

Ideal place to watch the sunset

Sitting at one of those Thai beachfront restaurants with the 2 foot high tables, tall cold Beer Chang in hand.

Ideal place to watch the sunrise

Peeking out the door of a backpacking tent, still tucked into a sleeping bag.

Before I die I'd like to

Have no regrets

I felt the most immersed in a foreign culture when

Shivering in my bootleg down sleeping bag, curled up on the dirt floor of a nomad herder tent in Tibet, and trying to squeeze a little closer to the warmth of the yak dung stove.

Let's collaborate

Surprisingly, your example is exactly right for me: "I'm a travel photographer looking to collaborate with travel publications that need some incredible images from around the world." I'd love to get involved in photography for non-profit organizations.

I'm also a technical generalist, and I can fix almost any computer problem in a few hours. I know the technical side of digital photography inside and out, and would be willing to assist working travel photographers for the experience.

Favorite artist(s)

I've always liked Degas.

Sports I do

Rock Climbing, Mountain Biking, Snowboarding, Canyoneering, Running

I want to make a difference by

Take photographs that make viewers identify with the people in them. Focusing on the small scale, rather than the large.

Tunes I rock out to

I love music, but I worry that plugging in the iPod means unplugging from the world around me. Sometimes I find that the best way to pass the time on a long bus ride is to prop my head against the window and watch. When I do flip on the stereo, though, it's usually female singer/songwriters coming out of the speakers. Oh, or "Love Generation" by Bob Sinclair. You can't hear it and not feel good.

Favorite books

"The Kite Runner," Khaled Hosseini. "Vagabonding," Rolf Potts. "My Secret History," Paul Theroux.

My links

www.andrisbjornson.com www.collectivelens.com blog.andrisbjornson.com