We recently connected with Andrea Wenglowskyj and have shared our conversation below.
Andrea, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I was raised in a Ukrainian family in Western New York, both of my parents were born in Ukraine. Growing up attending Ukrainian Saturday school, folk dancing and scouting while also living the life of an American kid in public school taught me about how different communities are integral to living a full life. When I discovered photography and writing, I found yet a new language.
Having the privilege of attending art school, I learned that it’s through discussion, looking, and listening that allows me to understand the human experience. Artists of all kinds are the folks filtering our contemporary experiences into poignant understandings, and I want to be part of that forever. When that aha idea pops into my brain, or I see an exhibition that moves me, or I witness the positive transformation of a group of people brought together by creativity, that’s it, right there. Those are the moments that change me and keep me going.
In finding my own path and what I can offer, I turned inward to what I know: the power of family, friends, artists and curiosity. I strive to lead a life balancing being a mother, earning a living, my studio practice and cultivating community and relationships, whether it be local block party to international photographers talking on Zoom. There is a lot of failure in trying to do any of this, but I am always reenergized by coming back to the intersection of art and community.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am a Buffalo, New York-based Ukrainian-American commercial/editorial photographer specializing in environmental portraiture. I am passionate about documenting stories of incredible humans doing good things for the world and for themselves. My work champions nonprofit organizations, cultural institutions, innovative entrepreneurs and creatives. When I show up with my camera, regular folks can be nervous about the whole process. I’ve been told that one of my superpowers is disarming my subjects with ease, kindness and humor. In truth, I am just really happy to be there with my camera, having a good time! This year, I am excited to work with a local nonprofit highlighting stories of wonderful refugees in our community and the families that support them.
I also have a photo-based art practice that amplifies Ukrainian culture by examining language, traditions, current events and customs in my family, the diaspora and Ukraine. I am working on a long-term project about a Ukrainian summer camp in Western New York, which has been featured in NPR’s The Picture Show. This year, I’ll be an artist in residence at Hunt Art Gallery and at Mirabo Press, both in Buffalo, NY, giving me the space and time to develop two new projects. I’ll have a solo exhibition at CEPA Gallery later this year showing new work that is a response to my late father’s photographic archive.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Making art of any kind can feel isolating, and my advice is to find folks you can share it with. I am part of a monthly discussion group with artists of all disciplines from graduate school, and it creates accountability and a safe space to share new ideas. I get the most insight about my work when others see it.
As I build my commercial practice, imposter syndrome can feel heavy. By reaching out to photographers farther along in their careers, I not only build my community but realize that my path is unique.
Because every day is different, creating my to do list the day before is instrumental in my productivity, organization and mental health!
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
One of my biggest challenges is making the time to think about my work and career. It may sound silly, because we are always thinking about work, but I mean really make time to dream, think conceptually and set goals. With all the busy work of running a business and a family, I have struggled with this. In 2025, I’ve successfully shifted my routine to create 90 minutes of uninterrupted time a day to work uninterrupted on bigger projects. It’s made such a positive difference in my mental outlook and productivity.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://andreawenglowsyj.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreawenglowskyj/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawenglowskyj/
Image Credits
Andrea Wenglowskyj
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