REMIXED, REVAMPED, RESTORED!
"My re-birth began when I picked up the camera again. I let go of a lot of things because those things were holding me back from what I wanted to do. I stopped letting everything and everyone else dictate who and what I am. From that point on I said I won't apologize for my work or for the person that I am. The camera takes away something when it captures an Image but what it gives back, to me is Immeasurable. Some sessions that were planned and executed didn't always yield the planned result, what that did was force me to work harder on newer ideas to succeed where I had failed. In the end however for me though there is no failure. Only fun. " - Andre Steven Rutgersen
BUBBLE: Daydream, Fantasy, Illusion - "My belief in photography, my photography is like the bubble. It hasn't burst and I won't let it.
"You will inspire some and annoy the f**k out of others. Do it anyway!" - UNCLE CRAZY
“Play the hell outta the cards you’ve been dealt." - UNCLE CRAZY
"Before getting to this point, before picking up the camera again, before I met the most wonderful person in the world that I'm married to there was a lot of pain. First it hurt me, then changed me. But I never let it break me. That I'm the most proud of." - Andre Steven Rutgersen
HIT PARADE II - "The wigs, props, make-up, outfits; all of it helping me to transform myself. Altering my natural into something not natural, the reshaping of a face and figure with lighting and make-up alone a challenge. Of course it was trial and error for me but I am very happy with what has been produced. I love every part of the process. I love being daring and trying different things. To me that's what photography is about." - Andre Steven Rutgersen
Some of these images are available in the self portrait photography book "PICTURE THIS..." 2022 - Click Available For Purchase!
THE WORLD IS MY MUSE - "I'm just an individual who doesn't feel that I need to have somebody qualify my work in any particular way. I'm working for me." - David Bowie (Musician)
"Everything is a self-portrait. Everything is a diary." - Chuck Palahniuk (Novelist)
"IN SERACH OF..." - "Some of my self portrait work, I like creating this fantasy world. It’s been in my head for decades. I’ve always had a wacky imagination and knew it would come in handy someday. When you stop the outside noise and just listen to yourself, wonderful things can happen." - Andre Steven Rutgersen
ANDRE AT 50! "He's living his life the way he wants and is taking us all on his journey with his work. Personally? Whatta f**king amazing ride so far and I'm glad to be here for it." - Natalie West (Photographer) June 2024 *Photos by Natalie West*
"He's living in his work, his art and from what I've seen isn't scared to take chances but at the same time has told me how terrified he is too. That's honest and I respect that. "
"He's a complete goofball. A big silly kid that I don't think ever got to be the kid he was."
SPLENDER IN THE FLASH! "Everything was practice before. This golden age for me means now life gets interesting." - Andre Steven Rutgersen
Four Faces Of Me!
"Being behind the camera for so long I've forgettten I even existed. Sometimes it's okay to enjoy the moments you create for others for yourself." - Andre Steven Rugersen
"“It’s photography, have fun with it, be weird." - Andre Steven Rutgersen
“I was once told my dreams were silly and to be realistic. Look at where I am now. What a great f**king feeling.” - Andre Steven Rutgersen
"Giving 0 F*&k's!" - In homage to Ferry van der Nat
"Always pushing buttons I am." - Andre Steven Rutgersen
"Modesty Imperfect."
"Tools Of The Trade" - Vintage Pentax Ashai MV 35mm SLR Camera - "This is the perfect medium for me. I’m not the best at this, I just don’t want to do anything else. I can’t imagine doing anything else." - Andre Steven Rutgersen
Canon EOS 40D 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera - "When I’m behind the camera I don’t exist. The only thing that matters is what I’m photographing. Who I’m photographing. Nothing else counts in that moment." - Andre Steven Rutgersen
Nikon D80 DSLR Camera - “If I didn’t have my camera to remind me constantly, I am here to do this, I would eventually have slipped away, I think. I would have forgotten my reason to exist.” Annie Leibovitz (Photographer)
"I can't Imagine doing anything else, ever!" - Andre Steven Rutgersen
"I've made so many mistakes over the years. Getting to this point now and finding my rhythm I've realized that the misstep's are part of the dance of my life." - Andre Steven Rutgersen *Photo by and Courtesy of Paul Rutgersen*
“For creative people, it’s about staying open to it all. That’s part of where creating comes from. The trick is to stay thin-skinned and still survive.” - Montgomery Clift (Actor)
“To me, photography is an art of observation. It’s about finding something interesting in an ordinary place…” - Elliot Erwitt (Photographer)
“I’ve always thought every portrait a photographer takes is a self portrait. There’s a piece of all photographers in their pictures. We’re telling you our story all you have to do is look.” - Andre Steven Rutgersen
"I'm still meeting all the other sides of myself. It's getting pretty crowded." - Andre Steven Rutgersen
"Neo Noir"
"Having a break from the serious, we're never too old to be that kid that loves movies." - Andre Steven Rutgersen
"Who Say's All I Do Is Take Goofy Pic's With Shiny Props?"
"Oh You Pretty Thing!"
“Your photography is a record of your living, for anyone who really sees.” - Photographer Paul Strand
"Marilyn Monroe 1962"
"In The Eye Of The Viewfinder"
HIT PARADE - "I don't do this for anyone but myself. I've stopped caring about comments, likes, an algorithm. What I care about is creativity. That makes me smile. It's what I love." - Andre Steven Rutgersen
"Blue Is The Warmest Color"
"Writers Block"...feature in the self portrait photography book "Picture This..." 2022
"Blonde's Ambition"
"Moon Child"
"Angel Alight"
"'IT' Emerges"
As "Sammy Davis Jr." for Vanity Fair Magazine by Phil Stern 1949...
an ode to James Bidgood's 1971 film "Pink Narcsissus"
An ode and personal interpretation to one of Edward Steichen's self portraits.
"Hustler" - "...It's fun to get completely lost in a persona. Someone I've met and probably known; it made an impact and now for this moment I get to live in that person's skin.." - Andre Steven Rutgersen
"Cab Calloway circa 1930's"
"Cary Grant" On The Set of "The Toast Of New York" 1933
"Phoenix"
"Marilyn '62, Revisited: The Last Sitting" - "It's always been about taking risks and putting myself out there. Wanting people to trust me to photograph them I have to be willing to be as vulnerable and unguarded. If I can't be then how would I expect anyone to be for my camera?" - Andre Steven Rutgersen
"Heavy Lies The Crown"...from the portrait photography book "Into The Lens"
"Flower Power
ode to Richard Avedon....as "Domiva"
ode to Edward Steichen....as "Anna May Wong Redux".
"Silence is Golden"