@Drew.willson

Introduce yourself

Hi Film Fridge, my name is Drew Willson. Tennessee first, now located in Bangkok, TH.

I’ve worked as commercial and docu-style photographer for over 10 years with entities like Leica, Empire Records,

How do you get into photography?

I took a fairly typical path into photography. Had a background in art and music bought a used iPhone 4s in 2013 to record my music ideas and eventually used camera features like iMovie and Snapseed more than GarageBand.

What’s one thing photography has taught you from each place you’ve lived?

I’ll risk a slightly cynical take which is that at their root- everyone, everywhere is all the same. Good and bad exist in all places. A camera gives you a choice to amplify whichever one you choose.

What made you start documenting your photography on YouTube?

There was a time when YouTube didn’t have a total overload of photography content. A guy named Corey Wolfenbarger had the idea to share his own work using video as a way to teach and build a community. That’s when I was mainly a videographer- Corey hired me to make about 25 videos about specifically film photography which is where I learned how powerful showing your work in that way can be.

Once I started traveling and taking photos of my own I knew I needed to keep making videos as a presentation of what I was learning about photography and myself along the way.

What’s a moment you captured that still sticks with you?

So many stand out to me but if you asked me on the street I’d probably show you this image of a forlorn cowboy in Oklahoma 2024

What keeps pulling you back to places like Thailand creatively?

Thailand was the first place I learned how to make real photos and films- first time I heard words like cinematography and composition. There was a 2 month program I attended in 2015 to learn hands on about storytelling in the non profit space. Even more importantly I met my wife here and we now have a 1 year old daughter who is part Thai so living here and closely examining this place is more about understanding my loved ones than anything.

What draws you to a specific camera over another?

I shoot Sony, Leica M4, and limited medium format like the RZ67 Pro ii.

For on the street work, the ratio o size to features- if it’s distracting me or others, it will ruin the moment quicker than I can shoot it.

Commercial work is another story of course, must fit the project but the Sony A7 IV is a personal favorite now.

How has becoming a dad changed the way you see photography or life?

The whole thing has gone by impossibly fast already. Sometimes I’ll look at my daughter doing something and think “I should capture this” then I wait a day or two and it’s never the same again. You really can’t wait and say you’ll do things later- life is a series of now or never moments.

Is there any projects you are working on if so would you like to share?

Currently my family and I are putting all our creative efforts into a project called AwayNotice. It’s a calm family travel channel where we share videos images of our time in different cites around the world. I personally spent months of my life curating the type of work that I would like to follow- then made it.

If anyone wants to really tap into what keeps me inspired, you can see it there.

What do you hope people feel when they see your work?

I hope I don’t have to answer this question- honestly I think my photography won’t make people feel what I want to share until I’m gone. I stick with photography because it’s my job of course but, it’s also my way of sharing with future generations that I really saw this place while I was here.

If cameras didn’t exist in my time, I would be scratching out a drawing in the corner of every room, trying to get the light in my daughters eyes just right, changing the scene and adding a foreground element.