We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Andrew Daley a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Andrew, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you tell us about an important lesson you learned in school and why that lesson is important to you?

I had begun doing photography in college while I was pursuing my degree in sociology at Arkansas State University. I needed some electives so I decided to take photography so I could hone my craft. I registered for the class and the first day arrived. I was excited about learning and becoming better at photography. As I approached the door I seen the professor standing outside the door greeting everyone and making sure they were in the right class. I made it to the door and smiled and he, Dr. Zibluk, extended his arm across the doorway, as if he was trying to stop me from entering. I stood there confused, he asked me “why are you in this class?”. My response was simple, “to learn photography so I can get better” and his response left me speechless. He said “Ive seen your work, you dont need this class.”, I was baffled. I was baffled by the fact that someone who had been doing photography for decades had seen my work and even more so that he thought it was good. He was one of the first people that made me feel seen, that made me feel like I was enough. He gave me one piece of advise that I have held onto until this day and that was learn the rules so that you will know how to break them.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

For as long as I can remember I’ve always had a camera in my hand. I was the kid that was always capturing moments with friends and family.. While in college I started a student organization called Public Perceptions Style Entourage. This goal of this organization was to build confidence and individuality among students. We would build confidence by hosting fashion shows and photo shoots. We needed a photographer, so I reach out to a friend of mine, James Calloway and he begin doing photos for the group and I would assist. I was also nervous when it was my turn to take the pictures but James help me prepare and build my confidence. Eventually it got to the point that I started do photos for events, the yearbook and other occasions for student organizations Around campus I became affectionately known as “da Paparazzi”. It wasn’t until college that I realized that I was more than just a guy with a camera.

I enjoy capturing breathtaking portraits that tell a story or capture a specific moment in time. Sometimes the image is a reminder of the beauty in all of us, other times it’s to provoke an emotion. Photography is my passion and my creative outlet.

I constantly encounter phenomenal people who have forgotten how amazing they are. They sometimes feel defeated or they feel that they aren’t pretty enough to take beautiful portraits. My goal is and has always been to show my clients what I see when I look at them through my third eye (my lens). So often we forget who we are and how perfectly created we are. It’s my desire that these images start the process of healing and provide a refreshed sense of self.

I enjoy capturing breathtaking portraits that tell a story or capture a specific moment in time. Sometimes the image is a reminder of the beauty in all of us, other times it’s to provoke an emotion. Photography is my passion,my creative outlet, my therapy.

I needed a name for brand. I was searching for something that described me and my style of shooting. I kept thinking Edge because I felt like the definition fit perfectionly.
(EDGE a. A margin of superiority; an advantage: b. A penetrating, incisive quality: c. A noticeable sharpness d. Keenness, as of desire or enjoyment; zest: e. A rim or brink: f. The area or part away from the middle; an extremity g. A dividing line; a border: h. A provocative quality)

I began to look up edge in other languages and I came across the Japanese word for edge, which is 端 or “Ejji (pronounced eh-gee).

Have you ever had to pivot?

I had been working at Fedex for several years and the company’s business model began to shift. I remember it so well, it was a friday and my manager walked up to me and started the conversation by saying he needed to talk to me and that he knows I going to quit. So I walked over to my desk and he followed. He was telling me how he and the other managers didnt want me to leave and how they have tried to work it out but their manager didnt like the resolution they came up with. As my manager was talking I was typing. He told me that upper management had changed my schedule and that I would be required to work weekends. I had been working at fedex for around 6 years and it was known that I couldnt work on weekends because I had a photography business to run. As he’s talking I stopped to ask him one question and that was “should I go with formal or informal?”, I could tell he was confused so I said “Nevermind I’ll go with formal.”. I was told that my new off days would be thursday and friday. By the time the conversation was over I hit print and grabbed the papers out the printer and folded them into thirds. He was about to turn to walk away and I handed him on of the papers I had printed out..my letter of resignation. I remember my last day came around and I said my goodbyes. I walked to car, got in and shut my door, and panic begin to set in. I was sitting in the car in disbelief yelling “Oh my God I just Quit my job!!!”. I was repeating it over and over again in panic but something shifted that panic transitioned to peace. I smiled and said it one more time but this time with an internal assurance that I’ll be okay…”Oh my God I quit my job.”
I had no clue what that decision would bring but here I am almost 4 years later living better than I have ever lived.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding part of this has been the tears, the smiles, the disbelief. For me there is nothing better than seeing a person’s life change through the images Ive created. The look on their face when they see what I see. Its like some clients are seeing themselves for the first time and they love what they see. So many of my clients stand there in tears and disbelief a session. I’ve always had a passion for building people up, for me its ministry.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.EjjiStudios.com
• Instagram: EjjiStudios
• Facebook: Ejji Studio

Image Credits
Ejji Studios