EVAN WHITNEY

Unlike many of my peers, I didn’t grow up with a camera in my hands or dream of becoming a photographer. Despite having two working, professional artists as parents, photography wasn’t part of my early life. My formative years were spent with a soccer ball at my feet, Legos on the floor, 80s music in my headphones, and—more often than I care to admit: coming up with creative explanations for unfinished homework.

That said, I’ve always been a visual thinker with a strong creative instinct and a deep appreciation for storytelling. Photography ultimately became a natural extension of those traits.

I didn’t pick up a camera seriously until my mid-20s, while working in Harvard University’s Office of Public Affairs and Communications as part of the media relations team. When I wasn’t managing events, conducting media research, or responding to press inquiries, I could often be found down the hall watching staff photographers edit their work—absorbing how powerful visual storytelling could be in capturing real moments and revealing everyday life on campus. To my surprise, they eventually trusted me with their equipment, along with generous encouragement, education, critique, and support—lessons that continue to shape my work today.

Many years later, I’ve since pivoted from one side of the media landscape to the other and now pursue photography as a full-time professional. I am a contract freelancer for Advance Media New York and a member of both the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) and the Professional Photographers’ Society of Central New York. My commercial and editorial clients include the Child Center of NY, The Post-Standard, The Gifford Foundation, PMC Speakers, Syracuse.com, AP Intego, Gretchen’s Confections, Nisos, Shockey Builds, The Savage Homestead, Skaneateles Brewery, Fox Run Vineyards, the Inns of Aurora, and Luxury From the Farm.

My work has been featured in exhibitions at the Davis Orton Gallery in Hudson, NY; Gallery 54 in Skaneateles, NY; ART4Skarts, the Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts in Providence, RI; and the Multicultural Art Center in Cambridge, MA.

When I’m not behind the camera (or squinting at a screen while editing), I’m usually spending time with my awesome daughter, Tabitha (seen above), my rescue dog, ‘Happy’, or proudly serving as a member of the Mottville Volunteer Fire Company.