The up an coming shooter has a style of his own
Here at Gritty Vibes, there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing an artist grow and progress. While many back away from their calling, other artists run toward it. Naturally, we like to feature the latter. In 2016, Andre’ Sessions Jr put his camera down after a short lived stint as a photographer. Two years later, he gave it another go, revamping his entire style and showcasing his hometown with a cinematic flair. Andre’s shots can at any point be journalistic, portrait focused, or just flat out ill. His willingness to dip into different styles as a photographer make him one of those most versatile shooters that we’ve featured. We spoke to him about his beginnings in Omaha, his future in photography, and the moment his calling became clear.
1. One of the things that stands out about you as a photographer is your versatility. What is your approach when you're out creating?
While out in the world, with or without my camera, I am very observant and always imagine things in a very cinematic way I suppose. Whether I am executing a photoshoot for an individual, brand, or just taking photos of buildings and random items, I imagine it like I am watching a movie. I've always been that type of person to look for great detail on a specific object and really capture in a "Tarantino" way. I really just want to be able to shoot any style of photo and not be so narrow because you'll find that some people are masters at one style of photography, but I feel like I can do well in any area of photography. From sports to real estate, I can adapt.
2. Is there any photo in particular that you've taken with a unique backstory or special meaning behind it? If so, can you share that story?
Recently, I decided I would walk around the corner from my apartment and edit almost every photo I took in black and white. I came upon the backside of these apartment buildings that are very run down and appear to be abandon, with people living in them; a large homeless community lives in the area. One night many months before, I had walked this same route and tried taking photos of the back of the building, but the lens I had at the time had too high of an aperture and I wouldn't have been able to get it how I wanted it too. Anyways, this lady on the roof asks me what I'm doing and we have a small conversation, yelling at each other because she is more than 20 feet above me, about what I do in my free time. Two minutes into the conversation, a guy screams from behind her, "Aye, you cheating on me hoe?" I couldn't see him yet and I looked all around me, looking for this mysterious figure. "No, no, I'm talking to this dude down here that's taking photos." I finally see him now, wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses in the middle of the night. The guy was probably shorter than me but because he was on the roof, he felt like he was a king. "You want some of my girl," he asks. "Naw man, I'm good," I reply. He asks me about my camera and then asks for my name. I tell him my first. He asks for my second. I give him the last name of an old barber of mine (we shared the same first name). I ask for his name and of course I don't get a response, but he asked for my phone number and I told him I couldn't do that. He told me they wanted to have some fun and I, again, say that I can't do that. "You live in this area, Andre?" "Yeah, just about two blocks away," I say. "I'm going to be looking for you out here, see you later." Needless to say, I never saw those two again.
"Whether I am executing a photoshoot for an individual, brand, or just taking photos of buildings and random items, I imagine it like I am watching a movie."
3. Coming from a New Yorker, you really make Nebraska come alive in your photos. Can you tell us a bit about your upbringing and how the city has shaped you as an artist?
I come from Omaha, NE, the biggest city of Omaha. I was raised in the North Omaha area, which is known as "the ghetto", but it's just where majority of the black community lives. South Omaha is where the Latin/x and African community lives and West Omaha is where the bougie people who are scared to drive anywhere in North Omaha live (funny because we're in Nebraska aka Neblastya). Anyways, I've lived in many areas of Omaha and have experienced being broke through most of my childhood, with glimpses of living a middle class lifestyle. My brother is a gang member and some of my family members outside of the intermediate are affiliated or used to be affiliated in that lifestyle, so I've learned a lot about some things way before I was supposed to. I've come across many different people because Omaha is just so diverse and now that the artistic scene has been growing all over the North Omaha community, it has allowed me to work with many talented individuals and rekindle relationships with people that I met many years ago. Before even knowing it, I was raised around creativity and hustlers, which has shaped me into the creative hustler that I am.
4. When you put the camera down in 2016, dissatisfied with your work, what was it that drew you back to photography two years later? Can you tell us that story?
Back in 2016, I bought this Nikon D3200 from a friend for $250. I walked around a couple times and snapped photos around the university I was attending at the time (University of Nebraska-Lincoln). I asked a couple friends to model for me but within two weeks of shooting photos, I didn't feel like learning anything more and I didn't like my work (you can actually find some of these photos on a separate instagram account that I don't use anymore @photograph_sessions). Two years later around November of 2018, I was doing well in school since I just got readmitted to a new university (University of Nebraska at Omaha) after being suspended from the first for academic probation and I wanted a new hobby. I brought my camera to my third-shift job and took photos of things in my office and decided that I would stick with it this time. After a few photos that I had snapped, a popular photographer in my city commented on one of the first photos that I had uploaded and I just knew that I could only get better. I was in the zone, and still am, of getting better at anything I put my mind to. I guess it just took off from there and I really appreciate the support that everyone has shown me during this journey. I love the collaboration with other creatives and want to really expand my hand to people all over the world so I can leave my stamp everywhere.
"I've come across many different people because Omaha is just so diverse and now that the artistic scene has been growing all over the North Omaha community"
5. You're finishing up school with the world in front of you. Where does Andre' Sessions Jr see himself in five years?
Sheesh. In five years, I hope that I have probably just finished up graduate school or am in the midst of working on my career in New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles, really any big city but I especially want to live in New York because it is New York but I feel that I could thrive there. By this point, I have written a few books, created a couple documentaries, maybe made some short films and have really gotten to a point where I am financially stable and doing what I love. Maybe travel a lot and shoot photos. Whatever it is, I'm just going with the flow and am awaiting any opportunities to jump upon. Side note, if any organizations are hiring in New York (yes, you, the reader) please contact me and I would love to expel my talents. I am more than a photographer and my resume is worth a view. I am open to networking with anybody and even collaborating on projects.
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