Andrea Ruth

Photographer

Andrea Van Niekerk, 23, born in Cape Town.

I prefer people calling me Andrea Ruth as Ruth is my second name and also my brand identity because Van Niekerk is just a little too Afrikaans for me.

What kind of photography do you do?

I don’t ever want to limit myself to just one style/type of photography. When I first started out I wanted to become a wildlife photographer for National Geographic and now I find myself in love with shooting weddings.

Who is your favourite photographer?

I try not to limit myself to just one or two photographers and I am influenced by different photographers for different forms of photographers, but two of my overall personal favourites would have to be Patrick Demarchelier & Tim Walker.

The editorial feel they bring to every shoot is something I try to incorporate in all of my work.

What similar element(s) are there, in the pictures you take of yourself and pictures where you’re behind the camera?

Composition and color palette is key! It is something that I take into consideration every time I take a photograph of either myself of a model.

Does your photography have a certain element or signature, something common in all the pictures you take?

Yes. I always take a simplistic & minimalistic approach to all of my photographs. Most of my images contain just a subject and a clean background. I also love images that look off balance. You will rarely see me place subject matter in the center of an image. I love working with negative space.

Why refer to yourself as an “actual photographer"?

I do this because the world is filled with too many faux-tographers. Too many people think it’s enough to buy a fancy camera and click a button and then they’re a photographer. The same goes for “models” and I use that term very loosely.

Do you consider yourself a stylist?

I would like to consider myself an unofficial stylist. I think I have an eye for what is aesthetically pleasing, as my old lecturer would say.. I always style my own shoots and also anyone else who I can manipulate.

Describe your style?

I don’t think I could describe it even if I tried… I guess I would say my style would best resemble the look of if Keira Knightly and Rihanna had a fashion baby.. I try to combine very simple, elegant pieces with statement pieces.

I have a whole clothing rail of impractical clothes that I’ve either not worn yet or that I’ve only worn once. But you’ll never find me looking boring.

Do you think or would you say you’re one of those people other people have a hard time figuring out?

I don’t think so. I think others try to complicate me a lot more than what I actually am. I’m a simple girl and I feel that others are the ones with the problem and not me. I’m an easy gal.

Why?

People have been saying that I’m complicated and unapproachable for years. That’s where I developed the persona ‘unfriendly brown girl’. If people want to come to the party with their own preconceived ideas about me then I’m gonna give them a show.

Where is your story? Your real story?

I would say it’s in the fine print.

Do you handle all the aspects of a shoot alone? Or do you usually work in a team?

I’ve done the team thing a few times and I feel like I really do work best alone and in silence. It’s also a lot more difficult to strangle a model if there are witnesses…

A pro and a con of working in a team?

There is something so calming about knowing that there are others around you to help make the vision in your head a reality in real life. That being said, I also don’t trust anyone to carry out my vison so I find it best to work alone.

Where does the name Andrea come from and what does it mean?

I think it’s from the Bible….but it also comes from my ouma being named Ann and my oupa being named Andreas.

When shooting at a wedding, what important aspects of it do you make a priority to capture?

This is going to sound really cliché but I love the in between shots. Get out of here with your prom night poses, I like to capture subject matter when they’re not aware they’re on camera.

How do you go about choosing your subjects or models for your pictures to make sure there’s a sense of realness, authenticity and depth to your pictures?

Um, I look for awkwardness and a sense of ‘out of place’. I think its more relatable to me and the overall themes that I bring to my photographs. If I’m being honest, a lot of artists are focusing on social issues and have been for quite some time to create a reaction out of the viewer and start a conversation. My work is purely for aesthetics. You don’t have to ask questions when you’re staring at a Von Gog painting. You just appreciate the beauty of it, there will always be a place for that type of art.

by Andrea Ruth

How can you, personally, tell when a picture was taken by an actual photographer and not faux-tographer? What things stand out in those pictures?

There are small tell signs… Placement of subject for example and if the ‘photographer’ has taken the background into consideration in order to create the composition. Then again there are some professional photographers who do not do this.

For you, what is a photographers best tool apart from a camera that makes them true photographers, true artists?

I think a true artist is someone with a keen sense of what works and what doesn’t. For me it is simply someone who has a vision in their head and it reflects in their photographs or the ‘end result’.

What are you studying? Or were studying?

I studied photography and business at Vega. But I’d really like to continue my studies. I’d really like to get into short films next.

There probably is another Andrea or Ruth somewhere else in the world but Andrea Ruth Van Niekerk is...

Probably stealing all their ideas and making it better.

My brand is all about...

I actually have no idea what my brand is about… I change my mind all the time.

How have you tried to challenge yourself ?

My dad has always said that when it comes to challenges and trying new things, he never says no. By doing that he’s been given so many opportunities and has been able to travel the world doing what he loves. I try to incorporate this into my life. Work wise; I’m trying. Spiritually; I’m slowly opening myself up to it and mentally; I’m so lost.

What gets you out of bed on holidays or weekends?

Photoshoots. Or my cat. I feel like there is no in between.

A platform you would love to see your work in?

I appreciate editorial work so much & I practice a lot of design layouts, so I would just melt if my photographs made it into magazines. I just want people to see & appreciate my stuff.

A mixture of something you ingested and regretted immediately?

My tummy is strong as hell so I can eat the world.

How dramatic are you when you drop your phone?

Sigh… I dropped my phone 2 weeks ago outside my boyfriends house and immediately starting balling my eyes out and got into my car and drove away leaving my boyfriend and the pieces of glass from my phone’s screen in the street. The worse part for me wasn’t dropping my phone. It was having to redo my damn makeup.

Andrea Van Niekerk

(@andrea ruth)

April 2018