Today we’d like to introduce you to ANDREW BOWEN.
Hi ANDREW, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I didn’t grow up in a dance studio. I got into photography in middle school because I was terrible at drawing—and found my artistic outlet. However, in a family of CPAs and Engineers, the arts were not a career. I excelled in the sciences and was fascinated by how a series of on/off transitions could relay a keystroke to a screen, and I chose to pursue a career in electrical engineering. I entered college already having completed my first semester of calculus and wanted to be in class with my cohort, so I had an open slot. I took a philosophy of religion class that looked interesting, and I loved the open-ended aspect of the discussion. I ended up with a BSEE and a BA in Philosophy. I truly believe that the latter served me more in life, because deciding which questions to ask or problems to solve is the harder problem.
For years, photography remained a creative outlet alongside my tech career. But over time, that work began to feel disconnected from people and purpose. After we lost our second child to complications from birth defects, I knew something had to change.
When we moved to North Carolina, turning my hobby into a business felt right—it gave me space to create and connect. I started with families and seniors because that’s what I knew. Everything changed when a senior, a competitive dancer, asked for a few ballet and acro photos. I quickly realized this was different. Getting a pose to look good wasn’t just hard—it was humbling. That moment launched years of study, mentoring, listening, and evolving as an artist.
In the summer of 2020, when I could finally invite clients back into the studio, I reached out to a few dancers—just to create. I knew they might not feel “in shape,” but that was okay; I hoped that they would just want to do something creative even if we deleted all the images. Each said yes. And then one dancer’s mom said, “You don’t know what you just did. This was the first time she smiled since March.” That was the moment everything clicked. I took down the family and senior pages and leaned fully into dance. That’s when I became Andrew Bowen, Dance Photographer.
Since then, I’ve learned so much about the nuances of ballet, contemporary, commercial, and competitive dance. Dancers have shared their stories with me—celebrations and struggles, moments of joy and vulnerability. Those conversations have shaped everything about how I work. And continue to learn something new every time a dancer comes to the studio.
I can’t imagine a better life. I’m a girl-dad (our daughter is grown and thriving in DC), and I’ve been married to my wife for over 30 years. I value the arts, integrity, a great pun, and a terrible dad joke. I’ve been honored with awards in juried print competitions—but the biggest honor is having created a space where dancers feel seen, supported, and inspired.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The biggest challenge was learning to be more than a spectator of dance. I needed to understand how to help dancers make adjustments and work through ideas, because dancing for the camera is different than dancing on stage, and they need more than someone simply pointing a camera at them. I had to develop a specialized skill set: understanding the art form and its variations, helping them make necessary adjustments, and creating a supportive environment that encourages personal expression and excellence.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Andrew Bowen Studios is focused on the needs of dancers, mostly pre-professional dancers in HS and College programs, along with a few professional dancers who come through each year. We treat the time at my studio as a creative retreat, where we allocate either a full or half day to allow each dancer to settle in and explore their art in a meaningful way through photography. What sets me apart is my attention to detail, ability to help them evolve ideas, and belief that they are the most important artist in the room.
I am very proud of every dancer who has spent time with me and shared their art and story. I’m proud of the work they put into the experience, and I’m proud of the images we’ve created together. In a professional sense, I’m thrilled that my images have been honored internationally, such as at the Prix de la Photographie Paris and the World Photographic Cup.
How do you think about happiness?
Seeing my dancers succeed and, when I can, watching them perform. Families and friends genuinely happy together. Being married to my incredible wife and life partner, Andrea, and just getting to spend time with her. Being a girl-dad and marveling at the young woman our daughter has become. Great dark chocolate, a glass of iced tea, and a logic puzzle that puts up a fight.
Pricing:
- $800-$1500 typically
Contact Info:
- Website: https://abowenstudios.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/abowenstudios
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/abowenstudios
Image Credits
©Andrew Bowen Studios
