Not long ago I posted about photographer Andrew ‘Sonny’ Semansco. Now I interviewed him about his work.
Asian-Sirens: What kind of photography do you like?
Andrew: I love photographs. If I am not taking them I am looking at them or imagining them. My wife is already used to me stopping Netflix DVD movies every few minutes to examine a scene. I like all kinds of photography. I am sick about it.
Asian-Sirens: When did you decide to become a photographer?
Andrew: I can’t remember. I am not sure I ever made the decision. It was made for me through my desire to hold, capture images, moments in time and share them with others. I have been taking photographs with that in mind for 20 years.Asian-Sirens: Which photographers do you admire and why?
Andrew: I know this may seem tired to you but I really admire Nobuyoshi Araki. I love that he has somehow gotten away with creating honest erotic imagery and be paid handsomely for it. I lived and worked in Japan for two years and I simply cannot imagine how he did it. I also like Richard Kern, new and old. If I wasn’t such a wimp I would beg him to carry his camera bag.
Asian-Sirens: What makes a good photo?
Andrew: It takes my breath away immediately.
Asian-Sirens: What makes a good model?
Andrew: Innate sexuality, the ability to communicate and show up on time (!) A model that can remember and forget everything they know whenever I ask. An art background is sometimes helpful. An individual that understands we are on the same team.
Asian-Sirens: Is there an Asian model you really would like to work with?
Andrew: Straight up? I don’t play the game that way. If you want to shoot in my style then come to me. Otherwise, I find most of my models on the street. I think the girl next door has more to offer than most professional models. I am sure of it in fact. There are some Japanese models that I could name that yes, I would die to shoot. There was a girl that I met on the street here in Hawaii named Masa Sato that went on to some success in the gravure world. OK, I’d like to shoot her and yes, Yoko Kumada if she would pose nude.
Asian-Sirens: Did you ever screw up an assignment?
Andrew: Never, I always get the shot. I spend too much time dreaming and scheming to screw things up. I have shot bitchy blonde playboy models and got what I needed. Of course, doing a great job will sometimes not please an editor but I never look at it as “screwing up”. You live, you learn.
Asian-Sirens: Did you ever get intimate with a model you worked with?
Andrew: Are you paying me for this interview? Do models sometimes sleep with photographers, yes they do.
Asian-Sirens: What kind of camera and lighting equipment do you use?
Andrew: I have bounced around a lot over the years. I use the camera or lighting system that strikes me as being correct at the moment. I like my Hasselblad 500 CM but don’t use it often. I have two Nikon f5s that I like and that are reliable. I use an outdated Nikon D100 that works well for me. Natural light normally works fine for my type of work. I have a bunch of lights that I will pull out if I have someone to help me. Cameras are actually quite simple.
Asian-Sirens: What are your future ambitions as a photographer?
Andrew: I want the world to look through my eyes. It looks great!
Asian-Sirens: Thank You Andrew, and all the best to you. I am sure we will be seeing more of you here on Asian Sirens!
In the meantime, check out his work at Flickr.com.
