Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Barnett.
Hi Andrea, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I wish I could say I always wanted to be a professional photographer but for most of my life, I did not know a camera could lead one down a successful career path. However, not being privy to this knowledge did not stop my unknowing passion for photography to flourish. As a child, I loved disposable cameras and my polaroid. I would go through several cameras and packs of film every week and I was always the one documenting family events, pets, weekend trips, bicycles races in the back yard and even selfies with my friends. The other portion of what drove me is motocross. Growing up, my brother, my father and I raced professional; it has always been what everything has gravitated around and, at some point, has influenced every aspect of my life.
So when it all finally came together and I found that photography career path, I was 18 and had just started riding motocross again and I had also just got my first DSLR camera. I was spending every weekend at the track riding and shooting, and that is when I found a way to combine my two favorite things into a possible career worth chasing. Shortly after, I dropped out of Auburn University in Alabama and moved to Orlando, Florida to attend Full Sail University for Digital Arts and Design. Shortly after I graduated, I was offered a professional internship position at Disney Parks and Resorts, where I continued my career for going on ten years now. I have had several roles but they all fuel my passion for creativity and photography!
Although Disney is my full-time job, I did not leave my motocross photography dream in the dust! I continue to travel and shoot photo and video at professional events on the weekends for magazines as well as many companies and race teams! Unknowing to most, Central Florida is a huge hub for professional motocross!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Wow, yes, not a smooth road in sight! I am sure I speak for most photographers but there are very few easy days in this industry! My biggest challenge was trying to make a career in a tight-knit male-dominated sport and industry. I have cried, given up, tried harder, cried again, been defeated only to try again. I do not like admitting it, but I gave up on my ‘dream career’ because of the frustration and struggles I constantly faced. But there is a silver lining, I found another dream career at Disney that I love and that brings me more happiness, a way better feeling of accomplishment and has brought my professional career to a place that my original dream job would have never brought me. I believe those challenges and obstacles brought me exactly where I needed to go.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I do not specialize in any specific type of photography but my strengths definitely lie in the action/sports genre. Thankfully my job requires me to shoot all aspects of photography, from marketing with model families to landscape photography to a more portrait style capture. I am constantly being challenges to improve on all-these-photography.
I have two big accomplishments; I had one of my favorite photos (of two Stormtroopers!) on the Disneyland.com landing page and have had some of freelance work on magazine covers!
I think my diverse background sets me apart in my professional career and my freelance career. Each one influences my style and personality on photoshoots. I believe one makes me more professional than most in the industry and my freelance brings a more fun, childlike, and dare I say juvenile influence to my professional job that sets me apart from others.
What matters most to you?
Happiness. Being happy about my job, my personal life and people I care about being happy is always a question I ask myself because it drives the fun and I like having fun!
Contact Info:
- Email: abarnett426@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/whatthefett, www.instagram.com/barnettphotomedia
Image Credits
1 Photo Credit- Blue Gear Dirtbike photo of me riding (last uploaded photo) was shot by David Lando
