Meet Andre Legaspi | Photographer

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

Hi Andre, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I’m latchkey kid from Queens, NY. I think running around New York City as a teenager with a little extra freedom shaped how I go about everything in life, including photography. I don’t back down from challenges and constantly find myself in the middle of chaotic situations trying to find an angle.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve always loved telling stories. Immediately after graduating from university, I found an outlet as a freelance writer. For many years, I cobbled together all sorts of copy but I felt a little exposed, moreso when I didn’t have editors looking over my work. It was easily one of the most vulnerable scenarios I had been in. Over time, I began to write less and shoot more. The nature of photography and it being more open to interpretation seemed to shield me well from that initial wave of judgement.

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?
I would try and give him a taste of each borough if I could. I’d first start in my home, Queens. We’d grab some soup dumplings in Flushing (great location for street photography as well) and then head over to the beer garden in Astoria for a few beverages. The next day, we’d head to the Bronx for a Yankees game and hang out with the Bleacher Creatures for a few hours. We’d then have to head to Manhattan next and wander around Central Park and some of the museums that surround it. For Brooklyn, I’d let my stomach lead the way. DiFara Pizza would be on the list for sure, with some donuts at Peter Pan afterwards. Finally, we’d have to give Staten Island a little love by hopping on the ferry, grabbing an oilcan of Fosters, and enjoy the sights of Lady Liberty.

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?
First and foremost, I have to shoutout my wife – Jamie. Somehow, while juggling two young boys and a husband with too many hobbies, she’s been a constant rockstar in our house. There’s no way I would have been able to tackle half of the photo projects I undertook. On top of that, she’s always there for every gallery or exhibit opening of mine giving me all the support I can handle.

I’d also have to credit my friend Dom for encouraging me without coming off sounding like a polite yes-man. His feedback (and equipment donations) have been invaluable in my progression as a photographer.

Website: https://www.andrelegaspi.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blurdre/