Food photographer Andrew Burkle ’09 believes it’s important to give back to current students

When Andrew Burkle (BSVC ’09) came to Ohio University from Kent, Ohio, he was an undecided major who couldn’t see what was in his future. Now, thanks to the Scripps College of Communication’s Visual Communication program, his vision is crystal clear. Burkle is the lead creative and partner at Cleveland-based BurkleHagen Studio, which is an upscale commercial photo studio specializing in food photography for local and national brands, restaurants, chefs, cookbooks and food-related subjects. Clients include Nestle, Burger King, Olive Garden, Doritos, Pepsi, and Coke.

“I was into photography in high school but never viewed it as an actual career,” said Burkle. “When I was undecided at Ohio University, I started taking some photography classes and ended up becoming a fine arts major. But I still needed more direction and a friend told me about the Visual Communication program. So, I scheduled a meeting with some professors, and they pointed me in the right direction. I became a VISCOM major with a focus on commercial photography.”

While on campus, Burkle did photography work for the Patton College of Education and did some work with Backdrop Magazine. In 2008 and 2009, he won College Photographer of the Year (CPOY) in the illustration category. Approximately 600 students from over 170 educational institutions from at least 50 countries enter the CPOY competition each year. The contest is administered by the Missouri School of Journalism.

“I think the Ohio University Visual Communication program is very wholistic. They didn’t just tell you to get a camera, go out and make images. Of course, I enjoyed that we had access to studios and equipment. But being around fellow creative people and learning to work as a team was so important,” said Burkle. “The program also has a good number of alumni willing to help current graduates. When I graduated, that’s how I got my first job.”

And now, Burkle is one of those alumni willing to help. Every other year, he works with VISCOM faculty to put together a weekend workshop at BurkleHagen for Ohio University students. During the workshop, current students interact with other alumni, work on photo assignments where they shoot, retouch and supply an invoice under a tight deadline, and put together a business plan while getting feedback from industry professionals.

“The professors at Ohio University work hard to keep the curriculum evolved and current, which is a really, really important thing. I love doing the workshop because of course, it helps expose the students to the business side of photography, but it also helps me rediscover my passion for what we do,” said Burkle. “And it helps with networking. Our most recent hire at BurkleHagen is an OHIO VISCOM graduate. It makes me proud.”