When I say that Andre and I ‘clicked’ right away, it isn’t just a play on words since our introduction was in a portrait session. We clicked personally as he clicked my picture and showed me the me that others see. We were fast friends and connected on our love of photography, storytelling, hikes, dogs, adventures, and date nights. It seems to me, Andre is like a magnet for good people, good stories, and good vibes. His warmth, great conversation and fire-hydrant like attraction from almost every dog known to mankind has made him a fast friend to many as well as a deep friend to some. Like me :)
My Andre has always been there to share ideas, give me insights, tech help (because I am hopeless) and be up for a new adventure. We have summited peeks, gazed at the night sky on camping trips, forged for macro photos of mushrooms on many walks, enjoyed old fashioned’s on date nights and created memories over the years. All of them I cherish and smile at when they pop up in my phone memories. He has been a constant in my life since we met, and I love him deeply.
When I think about how I will foster a sense of adventure and curiosity in my children, I think of Andre and how he does it so naturally. So, for me, putting this book together is selfishly compiling stories of his adventures and his beautiful spirit so I have a piece of him to share with my family as it grows.
Andre notices the small things - Where others look to a horizon to bask in the setting sun, Andre is noticing that we are being followed by a group of land grouse who have trailed for a half a km.
When he takes a portrait - he doesn’t see the model in front of him like other photographers do, trying to capture a perfect moment for a headshot, he pulls the person out of themselves and sneakily clicks the shot to see who they really are. I can say he showed me a version of Me I never see - a beaming, happy, silly me that responds to our conversations. The me that looks at him when we crack jokes and no-one could ever see of themselves, because who is that genuine in the mirror? seriously.
Andre is one of my best friends, a genuine and caring person who has always had my back - like he has the back of so many. He is solid, he is pure, he is hilarious and brilliant. He is my friend, and I am thankful to see he is that same Andre for everyone else who has shared in this collection of his adventures and antics.
-Stephanie Mosher
❤️