EASTON, Pa. – A photographer from Easton is competing in a national artwork contest hosted by actor Johnny Depp.
‘The People’s Artist’ celebrates visual artwork, with the winner getting a cash prize and their work on display in Los Angeles.
Ever since Ryan Fisher was a kid, he played with cameras. It wasn’t until he was in high school that he developed a passion for photography.
“I went to New York City in 1993, and it was a big change before I really developed a tact for art and composition,” Fisher told 69 News.
Fisher is self-taught and honed his craft from a hobby that turned into working private events.
“I take a lot of pictures of people. I’m a portrait photographer and then I do weddings and events,” Fisher explained.
Fisher, who oversees the group Lehigh Valley Photography, heard about The People’s Artist competition on social media.
“To be in the competition is a big deal. To win it is an even bigger deal. It’s a $25,000 prize. You get to have a feature in Artforum Magazine, and you get to be featured in The Art of Elysium Salon,” Fisher stated.
If Fisher wins, he told us he wants to open a studio and gallery in Easton. You might’ve seen his work at Townley House and various St. Luke’s Hospital campuses.
“I’ve taken photographs everywhere and my hometown is probably one of the coolest places for photographs,” Fisher said.
Fisher is currently in first place in the online contest. Voting continues through May 14 where then the top 20 artists with the most votes will move into the next round. The winner will be announced in July.
“I really love photography because it stops me to focus on life a little bit. There are so many distractions in our world but to be able to sit down and compose a photograph it’s priceless,” Fisher concluded.
