{"id":44763,"date":"2018-03-22T13:00:40","date_gmt":"2018-03-22T17:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/?p=44763"},"modified":"2022-05-12T20:30:30","modified_gmt":"2022-05-13T00:30:30","slug":"through-the-lens-canada-photographer-andrew-knapp-andrewknapp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/through-the-lens-canada-photographer-andrew-knapp-andrewknapp\/","title":{"rendered":"Through the Lens: Canada \u2014 Photographer Andrew Knapp (@andrewknapp)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Where\u2019s Momo?<\/span><\/p>\n

For the answer, we look to Andrew Knapp, who has successfully turned that simple question into a career that spans photography, books, and a collection of inspirational true stories.<\/span><\/p>\n

The 35-year-old, Vancouver-based photographer studied graphic design at Cambrian College, but today lives off of his images as he travels around the world with his Border Collie, Momo. Frequently the star of Knapp\u2019s Instagram (@andrewknapp<\/a>), and with a devoted fan base among the account\u2019s 623,000 followers, Momo displays extraordinary training and trust for Knapp\u2019s images. The pair travel in a bright yellow VW van, and it\u2019s become a kind of background character to their adventures.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adorama spoke with Knapp<\/span>, catching him while en route to Croatia with Momo, to divine how he\u2019s making his way in the world with pet photography. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Photo by Andrew Knapp<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Photo by Andrew Knapp<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Adorama: <\/b>First things first. What is your gear setup and your usual editing workflow?<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Knapp: <\/b><\/span>I just got the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV<\/a>, upgrading from five years on the 6D<\/a>. I religiously use the 24mm prime lens, but I\u2019m feeling it\u2019s time to go to something a little more versatile. As for editing, I almost only ever use Adobe Lightroom<\/a>. I brighten, as I like to shoot a little darker and brighten it almost enough to lose the highlights. I also adjust tone curves, dropping the highlights and increasing the shadows.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adorama:<\/b> Was there a moment you remember first falling in love with photography?<\/em> <\/span><\/p>\n

Knapp:<\/b> <\/span>It was probably when my dad brought home an Apple QuickTake II. It was one of the first digital cameras and it was made by Apple in the pre-post-Steve Jobs era. When Jobs came back, he nixed it immediately. It was just fun to take photos digitally, regardless of the incredibly low resolution, and not cost any money to produce and edit images. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Photo by Andrew Knapp<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Photo by Andrew Knapp<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Photo by Andrew Knapp<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Adorama:<\/b> How much preparation do you put into an image?<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Knapp:<\/b> <\/span>Typically I don\u2019t prepare an image too much. I like to capture moments as they come. That\u2019s a nice way of saying “I don\u2019t really know what I\u2019m doing,” and sometimes I accidentally find something beautiful and make it look like I meant to find it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adorama:<\/b> On your Instagram, just about every other photo features a dog, and frequently your own, Momo. Do you consider yourself a pet photographer?<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Knapp: <\/b><\/span>By trade I\u2019m a graphic designer, now posing as a photographer. So I could just be a photographer posing as a pet photographer, with my muse as Momo. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Photo by Andrew Knapp<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Photo
Photo by Andrew Knapp<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Photo
Photo by Andrew Knapp<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Adorama:<\/b> How do you make a living right now, and how big a role does your photography play?<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Knapp:<\/b> <\/span>Often I go out on the faith that everything will work out. I\u2019ll leave for a trip knowing that I\u2019ll run out of money but will find work because I\u2019m traveling. My work is either the books, which don\u2019t actually pay too well, sponsored social media posts, or I sell prints. Another project I have is Catalyst Dogs<\/a>, and I think a lot of my work is projecting things that I personally want to remind myself of or just something I\u2019d like to think about more. I feel it is important to remind myself how valuable Momo is to me, and just reflect on the value of our relationship and to try to be more present with it. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Photo by Andrew Knapp<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Photo
Photo by Andrew Knapp<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Photo
Photo by Andrew Knapp<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Adorama:<\/b> With your other account, @momosface<\/a>, what tools or prep goes into making sure that each photo fits the uniform style of the account?<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Knapp:<\/b> <\/span>Mostly, Momo needs to be excited. Usually a ball will do the trick, but I\u2019ll also need the light to be nice (usually early or later in the day with a diffused sunlight).<\/span><\/p>\n

Adorama: <\/b>Where in the world has been friendliest for pet travel thus far, and in what ways?<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Knapp:<\/b> <\/span>Italy! There are dogs in restaurants, grocery stores, and shops, and no one really thinks twice about it. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Photo by Andrew Knapp<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Photo
Photo by Andrew Knapp<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Photo
Photo by Andrew Knapp<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Adorama:<\/b> What are some quick tips you can share for pet handling in order to get the shots you want? In other words, how do you get Momo to pose in line with your vision for a particular photograph?<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Knapp:<\/b> <\/span>I think the trick is to work with the dog, rather than trying to have the dog work for you. Your dog always wants something, whether it\u2019s a treat, a toy, or a nap. Use that to motivate them, but don\u2019t expect them to do something that\u2019s undogly<\/i>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Check out Andrew Knapp’s full Through the Lens: Canada<\/em><\/a> episode below:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Through The Lens | S05E08 - @Andrewknapp<\/div><\/div>
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