"Mind Your Own Business" with Kris Andres

Click on any image above to link to the podcast.

by Skip Cohen

​While most of the "Mind Your Own Business" podcasts have been with photographers I've known through most of my career, this new one with Kris Andres is unique, because I haven't known him very long. But he's one of those people that just after a few hours, you feel like you've known him most of your life.

In early April, Kris and Lizzy Gadd joined us in helping to launch Platypod's new eXtreme. Coming in from Canada two days before, what better way to get to know new friends than at your home? So, Kris and Lizzy spent a couple of days out of their usual routine of mountains, cold weather, and serenity to hang out with Sheila, me, and two pups.

We're an industry of artists who often only know each other from busy conferences, conventions, and workshops. That's fine, but there's never enough quality time to talk...about anything. I got that time with Kris, where the friendship started.

I already knew he was a talented artist. But from the perspective of a guy who lives in Florida and hates it when the temperature is in the bone-chilling 60s, I can't connect with his love for the cold and thin air! Funny though, our weather was gorgeous, and he loved it. 

He's an artist through and through, as he immediately set up his camera to do a time-lapse of caterpillars devouring milkweed in the backyard. He's also a talented hands-on educator, and his sense of customer service in his "day job" is the kind the best business authors write about. He's also a chef and has expanded his skillset into food photography - the complete opposite of landscapes.

I hope you enjoy this new podcast as much as we did recording it. Nothing beats a great conversation with a good friend. And if you haven't visited his new print shop, what are you waiting for?   Just click on any of the images below. I pulled a few of my favorites.

Wandering through his website, I stumbled on a video I wanted to share. I love the simplicity of the images, the perspective of skaters on the ice, and the serenity - almost enough to wish I lived up north and skated better! I wanted to share it to give you a better example of the environment Kris loves most to be in.

As I've written so many times before, the best thing about this industry isn't really about photography but the friendships that come out of everyone's love for the craft. So meet a new buddy, Kris Andres. You can check out his complete portfolio on his website and his upcoming educational programs here. You can also find him on Facebook and Instagram.

A BIG thanks to Kris for working us into his insane schedule and joining us and, as always, to Photofocus.com and their support of an industry we all love so dearly. There's a never-ending flow of great content on their website covering virtually every topic in imaging!

---