Phot by Kelsey Foster

Eric Ryan Anderson is a truly interesting man…..and not just because we share a name!

He is a commercial photographer base in Brookyln, NY whose work has been published in Italian Vanity Fair, Vogue Hommes, Computer Arts, Sherman’s Travel, Pollstar, ENVY, D Magazine, Dallas Observer and National Geographic Traveler. All well and good you say, but for me this is not what makes him interesting.

What makes him interesting is is humility, his passion and his soul. Now I don’t “know” Eric in the off-line, traditional sense. We have never met. But I know his work and I have been reading his journal for a while, Ivegotfriends.com. When you look at his work and read his journal, it is clear that Eric is someone with a vision, a focus and a great sense of humor. Clearly he is a hugely talented photographer –  I love the fact he also uses Polaroids – but when you look at his images and how his style is evolving, this is clearly a man exploring his creative vision, not afraid to take risks, but whose work has a sense of place and of purpose.

I was reminded of him when he did the guest blog spot on Scott Kelby’s blog, yesterday. I wont steal Scott’s thunder – you can see the great post by Eric here – but it was so typical of Eric. Thoughtful, insightful, passionate and thought provoking.

Here is a young guy who  has the balls to follow his dream, giving up a fancy finance career, who studies the great photographers, apprentices himself, works on his brand and then through a mix of talent, hard work, creativity and commercialism makes a success. What DuChemin would call a Visionmonger! I’ve a lot to learn from someone like Eric. His wisdom  seems to come from a sense of inner calm – he knows who and what he is, and he is focused on being the best at what he does. Both inspirational and humbling.

A couple of the “random thoughts” he shared as guest blogger I really loved so I have repeated them below. But go check out his journal, his portfolio and follow him on twitter, @anderson_eric

01. Get out of town. Leave your bubble for a few days. Go meet some people who don’t use email, whose hands are dirty at the end of the day and who wouldn’t know what a ‘re-tweet’ was if their life depended on it. Observe the beauty of simplicity.

04. To the younger crew :: Respect and remember those who came before you. Though we work in a rapidly evolving industry, certain principles will always remain relevant. Observe, listen, and learn from the folks who have shaped commercial photography for years and years. They’re still around for a reason.

05. To the experienced crew :: Remember that everyone was a beginner at some time. Instead of being threatened by the onslaught of young, digital photographers on the scene, engage and embrace them. Teach them that dodging & burning isn’t just a Photoshop tool. Encourage them to experiment and grow and push the industry further. We can all benefit from your openness & teaching. We’re all in this together.

07. To the hobbyist :: Keep shooting. Keep experimenting. Keep pushing those of us who shoot for a living. The minute we aren’t a little bit nervous about you guys showing us up is the minute that our quality and creativity begin to decline.

10. And lastly, some wise words from the Avett Brothers :: Decide what to be, and go be it.