Memento sat down with Andrew Glatt ahead of Plunge to learn more about his journey as a photographer and the story behind the selected images. In true Andrew fashion, he was coming from the breakwall, shooting images for the release, on a freezing February day. We're still wondering where the images are of him jumping in with the gallery tee. 

Can you describe what motivates you as a photographer and artist today? And if those motivations may have changed over time?

I'm motivated by building community and creating beautiful images that engage that community.

When people showed up to Friday Morning Swim Club because of our photo and video content, that was a game changer. Seeing firsthand that my photography can help build community and foster relationships—that was a lightbulb moment for me.

Andrew Glatt Photo Fruit Loops

“Seeing firsthand that my photography can help build community and foster relationships—that was a lightbulb moment for me.”

But this wasn’t always the case. Creating beautiful photos used to come first. And now it's the opposite. Now, I feel excited by the possibility of catching people in action, doing the things they love and enjoy.

Do you have what you'd call a 'photographic style' or genre?

This question reminds me of a quote from Ira Glass. He talks about how creatives pursue their disciplines because they have good taste. And that makes sense to me because it's difficult for me to talk about photographic style without talking about my eye--or my taste. My style is always evolving and changes over time based off what I'm interested in, but it's always consistent with my taste.

At a fundamental level, I’m drawn to genuine human moments and I aim to use color to evoke whatever emotion or mood I felt when taking the photo.

Phantom Ranch Photograph by Andrew Glatt

“At a fundamental level, I’m drawn to genuine human moments."

You often comment how motion is a core aspect of your photography and motivation as an artist, can you elaborate?

Plunge Photograph by Andrew Glatt

Motion has been a big part of my work since 2019. I grew up playing sports and I prioritize moving my body everyday. So I think it's difficult for me to think about movement and photography as being separate.

Initially, it helped me identify what I was interested in photographing. But lately, it's evolved from being the subject of my work into a core value that helps shape it.

Can you share some brief background on the context behind the photos included for this release?

Alongside one of my closest friends, Nicole Novotny, I co-founded Friday Morning Swim Club, a weekly meetup in Chicago that’s all about getting people together to enjoy Lake Michigan, coffee and conversation. Approximately 2,000-3,000 swimmers attend every Friday during the summer, and it’s quickly become a Chicago staple. When we founded Swim Club in June 2021, I had just started to shoot with an underwater housing. The image on the front is a friend of mine, John, jumping into Lake Michigan. And the image on the back is one of the first swims that we shot with the drone.

PLUNGE BY ANDREW GLATT | AVAILABLE

Plunge Photograph by Andrew Glatt Chicago Breakwall Lake Michigan