Meet Andrew Sherman

We recently connected with Andrew Sherman and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Andrew, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

It’s funny. I always thought of myself as something of a loafer. When I was in college I had a job in the then kitchen of the Chicago Improv Theater. My boss was Walter Gertz, father of Jaime. Me and my buddy Adam were closing up and Walter came over to us and told us we had the best work ethic of any of his employees, Im not sure if that was true but it made me look at myself in a completley different way. In this world we live in, there seems to be less people willing to put in the groundwork for their own success. Finishing a task, especially art when there is no deadline, is entirely on you. Completing the work is crucial to any artist. Seems obvious, but if you work hard you will succed. Sometimes the issue is not knowing how that specificlly looks, so, keep working at working as well.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I have a pretty exciting work life. I am a photographer and I shoot for the Dallas Observer often. Last year alone I shot Sting, Peter Gabriel, Pearl Jam, Tyler Childers and The Cure just to highlight a few. I also had the privlage to shoot the openeing weekend of the Historic re-opening of the Longhorn Ballroom. One of my photos of Morgan Wade even made it into Rolling Stone Online.
When not shooting for the Observer, I started my own publication called “Last Nite Live,” which focuses on, of course, concert photos and recaps. I have a handful of excellent photographers that also contribute and it helps us all get some pretty good access.
I was very excited to have won the Gold Readers Choice award for Best Photographer in the Dallas Morning News. I was truly touched that people took the time to vote for me. It was very special. I had a successful art gallery at Deep Ellum Art Co and will again curate a show this coming January.
I also host the Dallas Famous Podcast which won Best Podcast at the inaugural Dallas Entertainment Awards. We have had some amazing guests and season 3 just kicked off. This year has not let up at all as I just shot the Chris Stapleton Road show as well as Billy Joel and the Foo Fighters just to name a few.
Even though I shoot some very big shows I got my start in small venues with local bands. I am hoping local bands still reach out when they need promotional photos or if they are going to the studio to record. Not every gig requires photos but the big ones always do.I actually got my start editing vidoes and I alos make music videos with some in the works now.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Being a photographer is really about being able to get along very well with people. Sometimes it’s just you and the client and if they don’t feel comfortable around you, you’re not getting re-hired or recomended. Also it’s tricky with the online presence but it’s like the old if a tree falls in the woods analogy. If you arent sharing your work, how will anyone know what your capable of and hire you? Your online presence is everything, at least until you’ve established yourself.

How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?

Even at the level I’m at in my career I still look for work everyday. It does get to be a grind but the daily hustle and struggle to get work and great gigs is always on my mind. Also my Dallas Famous Podcast has been going great but it is a slow build. It has been a challange to get people to listen and subscribe although it is slowly improving. It makes sense that a large chunk of the population do not listen to podcasts.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.drewlio.com
• Instagram: @drewliophoto – @dallasfamouspodcast
• Facebook: drewliophoto
• Linkedin: andrewhsherman
• Youtube: @drewlio23
• Other: https://linktr.ee/drewliophoto
  https://open.spotify.com/show/7CZAIyjzbUf86JdMO12RDY?si=b1b205c378a84847https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dallas-famous/id1661705629

Image Credits

Photo of me- Jessica Waffles
My Photos;
Greta Van Fleet – Dickies Arena
Erykah Badu – The Factory DE
Peter Gabriel – ACC
Janes Addiction – ACC
Charlie XCX – Deep Ellum Art Co
Machine Gun Kelly – AAC
Marcus King – Globe Life Field
Mason Adams Project