Inspire in 300 – Andrew Funderburg

Inspire in 300 is a guest blog series where creative photographers share who and/or what inspires their photography, and in at least 300 words.

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What’s the most important thing to me in photography? Simple: Family. From a young age my parents instilled in me the importance of family. It’s the little things in life that do this: eating meals with my family every day, showing up at every family event and making time for our family.

This didn’t result in any sappy, family love situation – it simply resulted in a self-confidence that we had each others’ back. In my photography it also didn’t result in any sappy, huggy-kissy photography. It resulted in a heightened sense of responsibility. When I shoot a wedding or portrait, I know that the most important people are not the people in the photos, but the aunts, uncles, parents, children, grand-children and great-grand-children (whether they are born yet, or not).

Photography is for family. It’s to preserve the moments that create a family story. Some of my favorite photos in our house are those of my grand-parents and my parents when they were younger. Being able to see them when they were just married tells part of our story. We can see our own features – in their eyes, facial structure, smiles… These preserved moments tell our own story – our past and our future.

These family stories are the most important part of my photography. When I shoot a family or wedding, the story trumps the shot. What I mean by this is that I don’t go for “the shot,” the one shot that will be the huge canvas on the wall. Sure, if I get that, it’s a bonus. I go for the story. The great shots with the supporting shots. I shoot for the album, whether it be a wedding or portrait album. These albums are what will be around in 100 to 150 years.

This is what photography means to me, this is what motivates me. The responsibility to our past and our future.

Andrew “Fundy” Funderburg
CEO and Founder of Fundy Software