Meet Andrew Bell | Street & Film photographer

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

Hi Andrew, how do you think about risk?
Being a street photographer, I have always told people,”the riskier the shot, the better.” What I mean by this is, the higher the risk you take to capture a shot, the better the chance you have of getting great results. If you have to get up close and personal to a stranger on the street, or someone doing something mischievous, or want a portrait shot of a person you pass by, you have to take the risk of getting rejected, or yelled at, among other things. Street photography in the city can also be very intimidating, even dangerous in some parts. So you’re already taking a big risk walking about with your camera, looking for your next opportunity to capture something. From personal experience I can admit that what I feel are personally my best photos, are the photos I took of a stranger I found intimidating, but interesting. Or, a photo of someone homeless, maybe doing drugs, a photo of someone or something, you wouldn’t usually want to approach in your everyday life. Taking that risk of approaching an opportunity, that most people would find scary or nerve racking, is what street photography is all about. Taking risks in my journey of being a street photographer has helped me grow and be more confident in my work, and reach a level of talent I didn’t know I had. If you aren’t taking risks, you’re not putting your best effort in finding that perfect shot. I believe taking risks in life in general, can help you grow and move towards bigger and better things.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Becoming a film photographer was a challenge but I pretty much have been self-taught from the day I first picked up a camera. I had friends and acquaintances introduce me to my first cameras, and show me the basics of operating a film camera, but learning about film, and the difference from shooting digital photography, has mainly been a process all on my own. It was a challenge I was excited to face and take head on. I read books, watched youtube videos, and shot countless rolls of film to learn the in’s and out’s of film photography. I am still learning and have much more to learn, probably will never stop learning, but that is what keeps me going and motivated. With every roll of film I shoot, I want to get better and better. I personally feel what sets apart my work from others, is the risks I take in the photos I capture. I feel that I go above and beyond for some shots, where some photographers would be too intimidated to approach. If there is any message I would love to share about my work is, not only do I try and shoot street photography, but I also love to tell stories of the individuals and moments I photograph. I want to hear someone’s story and share it with the world, because some of the people I photograph, a lot of people in this world wouldn’t even give the time of day. Thats the beauty of street photography, shedding light on people, that the world tried to move on without.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
One of my favorite spots to hangout in the city is Cheesman Park. Great area to post up and hangout with some friends and enjoy some sunshine, bring some snacks, maybe bring along some beers and a frisbee. Even if you’re rolling solo and want a day to yourself, it’s a great spot to bring a book and get some reading done in the shade. Cheesman Park is a great area where the vibes are always friendly, and the possibilities for fun and a great day are endless. Another great place in the city to visit is Mutiny Cafe. A Denver staple, that is open to anyone and everyone. Great place to find a kickass book, your next favorite comic, dig through some crates of records, or just a place to stop by and enjoy a nice cup of coffee. I stop by Mutiny Cafe at least once and month, and I never leave disappointed. A local shop that supports other local artists and creatives. If you live in Denver, and haven’t visited Mutiny Cafe, you’re truly missing out on something special.

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?
During my journey of becoming a street photographer I have found inspiration from many photographers. Bruce Gilden is someone I have always admired and loved his work. His raw talent and fearless approach on street photography motivated me to put a new energy into my work. Another street photographer, who is a personal favorite is, Harry F Conway. He is also a film-street photographer but he based out of London. He tells stories through all his work, in every shot he takes. Not only does he capture interesting individuals, he tells their story, which is something I have tried to do with my work as well. I am a big fan of other photographers, but big shoutout to these street legends, for they have helped me and motivated me to become a better artist in my craft.

Website: https://www.bellshotit.com

Instagram: @bellshotit

Image Credits
all photos are my personal photos I have taken.