Andy Stafford

Photography

Born and raised in Albemarle County, Virginia, Andy’s photographic journey began on childhood road trips and took root in his high school darkroom. He continued to merge his creative interests with his academics, founding the photography club at Piedmont Virginia Community College before graduating from the University of Virginia with a degree in Marketing and International Business.

Inspired by a lifelong love of travel and the Banff Mountain Film Festival, Andy began backpacking internationally after college. Transitioning to digital photography, he taught himself how to get the most out of his equipment through practice and experimentation. He traveled with a full kit of heavy camera gear, often camping and couchsurfing to stretch his budget and connect more authentically with the people and landscapes he was visiting.

Influenced early on by Ansel Adams and National Geographic, Andy initially focused on classic, expansive landscapes. Over time, he broadened his focus to include nature, wildlife, and cityscapes, eventually expanding into long-exposure night photography, which allowed for more creativity with scene lighting. Today, having visited over 50 countries, Andy has built a diverse portfolio of regional and international fine art.