The one thing that I have always loved more than anything is photography. It started with my parents’ hand-me-down cameras that I was given at an early age. I soon realized that I could express myself in a whole new way. It was very different from anything I had ever done, and I found that taking pictures aroused a fiery stimulation deep within me.

When in high school I took my very first photography class. It was very inspiring, especially coming from a wild and passionate instructor of photography, Dan McIntyre. Dan’s class leaned toward the creative approach rather than the commercial process. When it comes to certain creative things, I believe people need to express themselves by experimentation. This is a point that my instructor showed me, and he never once told anyone that what he or she was doing was wrong.

When I was 18 I moved to Los Angeles, CA. I joined a band and quickly jumped in to the music scene. Surrounded by so many musicians, I began taking photographs of local bands. I eventually ended up working for several venue’s and clubs around town. Years later I decided I needed to push my photography further and planned to attend a school of photography.

I now attend the Academy of Art University of San Francisco. With the type of training the Academy of Art offers, I am confident that my vision for photography will become a reality. There is always so much to learn and I will never forget that.

Please enjoy the many photographs throughout my site and feel free to contact me with any comments or questions regarding my work.

-Amberlie Bankoff