Andy McSweeney is a professional travel photographer, photo guide and consultant/coach from Montreal, Canada. Since the mid nineties, he has spent much of his time travelling, with many lands lived and visited before settling down in Brugge (Bruges), many moons ago, with a lovely local lady.

The great beer was just an added bonus!

Andy will be giving a FREE photo talk on the CameraWorld Facebook page this Thursday (10th June 2021) at 19:30 BST. He will also have a Think Tank camera bag to give away to one lucky participant!

 

 

 

What was your first camera?

 

The camera that really cracked open my love of photography was a Nikon FE2 with 20mm
f3.5. I borrowed it from a friend whilst spending a year in Australia and I managed to get myself a pay check within the 2nd roll of film. It wasn’t the money that inspired me, it was the experience.

How and when did you get into photography?

 

After seeing the results of my early photos on that Nikon FE2, I quickly saw a passion for
photography and so dove in as deeply as my backpacker budget would allow!

Funnily enough, I left photography cold in the box - for a good 7 years - to try my hand as a DJ
(yes, with plenty of vinyl), and returned to it in 2006 with the first of 4 long visits to India and
with a Nikon D70 in hand.

India was critical to my development, sure some images sold (which is always nice)... but more importantly, working out through the next 10,000 photos took my photography to the next level.

 

 

What does photography mean to you?

Everything.

What equipment do you have now and what is your favourite lens?

 

Currently rocking the Fujifilm X-Mount system. I have the XT2 which I typically pair with my favourite lens, the 14mm f2.8. I also have a trusted Nikon FX system - the D800 that just. won’t. die! I pair this with the Zeiss 15mm Distagon f2.8 as my fave combo. I also have a variety of bags from (usually) Think Tank and Lowepro, a Holdfast Moneymaker camera harness and all sorts of other bits that I've collected over the years.

 

 

Where do you get inspiration?

 

My community, locally here in Brugge and globally through the amazing variety of talented
photographers - casual to pro - fighting their way to glory!

Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?

 

Paid professional both as photographer and photography coach, truly grateful every single
day to do what I love including helping others grow behind the lens.

 

 

 

The Bonaficus bridge (smallest bridge in Bruges, Belgium) at sunrise in spring. Photo by Photo Tour Brugge.

 

Do you plan what you want from a photo in advance?

 

I plan how to get there, what to bring, what to expect... and then go totally loose and
unplanned as possible, the rest is up to the “Photo Force”.

 

Studio, on location or both?

 

On location. Maybe a studio one day but Brugge is so stunning (as are low DOF lenses to
hide the sights as needed) that I’m rarely left wanting.

 

What has been your most memorable photo shoot and why?

 

Every single shoot has it’s special memory and moment, so here’s my most embarrassing:
One of my earliest event bookings was soon after that fateful first roll of film in Australia. The brief?  to fire off a few quick shots on a fashion catwalk followed by a group photo backstage. Easy. Whilst I thought I had prepared properly... turns out that the roll of film wasn’t correctly spun into the sprockets so no photos to share that day! 🙄

 

 

What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer looking to start out or to someone looking to go professional?

 

Love it and work it as far as you want it... and then take it juuuust that little bit further.
Repeat add infinitum.

 

 

 

Find Andy McSweeney on Clik Trip who specialise in sourcing the highest quality local photographers for tours and workshops - worldwide.