Andrew Schoener, born in 1986, is an American photographer originally from the small gold rush town of Placerville, California, currently based in Santa Barbara. Primarily a cinematographer, his work specializes in commercials and films.
As a photographer, his work focuses on art documentary, often combining multiple mediums within a project to fully portray the subject or story at hand. His current projects center on American counter cultures, where he explores and unpacks the varying expositions and obsessions of modern American life.
About ‘Dog Show‘– words by Andrew Schoener:
Shot over the course of 2016-2018 at a variety of kennel clubs in California, Dog Show is an exploration into the culture that has set the standard for the common American companion.
With competitions taking place in large-scale event centers across the state, such as county fairgrounds or warehouses, the shows were comprised of a regular crew of seasoned contenders. Following the slow-moving pilgrimage of oversized motorhomes, it became clear early on that the dog show circuit was in fact more full-time job than a casual hobby. The atmosphere was often tense, handlers silently jogging their dogs around the ring with utmost earnest. An outsider to the close-knit community, Schoener was treated as precisely that, and more than once he was asked to leave, as it was often assumed he was associated with the infamously aggressive animal rights group, PETA (people for the ethical treatment of animals).
As the handlers and their dogs became more familiar, the project evolved towards documenting these pairs themselves: exploring the bizarre bonds and rituals of the dedicated contest-goers. Schoener’s regular attendance of the shows prompted more suspicion into his motives, leading to many awkward conversations and strained encounters, moments of which have been deftly and amusingly captured in Schoener’s photos. What began as a curious foray into a seemingly approachable group of enthusiasts turned into a unique and memorable portrait of an intriguing corner of American subculture.
