"Photography records the gamut of feelings written on the human face, the beauty of the earth and skies that man has inherited, and the wealth and confusion man has created. It is a major force in explaining man to man,” - Edward Steichen.
It is this spirit and vision that defines the photography of Ed Lehmann, an Austin-based photographer and furniture maker. Ed specializes in portrait photography, but also photographs live music and special events through the unique lens of an artist dedicated to capturing the essence of his subjects.
Ed first started taking pictures as a child, quickly developing a strong interest in creative abstract photography and its ability to convey the hidden facets of an object or scene. Ed devoted his years in college to developing this interest, taking courses in composition, design, architecture, and various forms of both two and three-dimensional art. Through these classes, Ed honed his childhood fascination into a studied and practiced craft.
Ed has spend the last 15 years making unique artisan furniture for a living. But throughout this time, he has continued practicing photography as a hobby and has recently rediscovered his love of the art form. In the past few years, Ed has become fascinated with portrait photography, fascinated by its almost magical ability to portray a subject’s soul.
Ed’s photos are artistic without being excessive, professional but still accessible. Inundated with brilliant colors and unique composition, these portraits frame their subjects within creative contexts and capture the spirit of their interaction. Though told through all the exuberant creativity of fiction, Ed’s photos are almost documental, for they seem to catch the very soul of the moment they portray. These exceptional portraits celebrate the unique character of their models, whether young or old, male or female – framing them respectfully in a photograph that seems to capture a fleeting instant of personal expression.
Yet while Ed’s photographs portray all the creative excellence of a true artist, his demeanor and character are both friendly and authentic. A photo shoot with Ed is entirely relaxed, as if one were being guided by an old friend. It is through this casual and honest interaction that Ed is able to cultivate the intensely personal moments that he captures on film.
Ed’s stated goal is to portray the essence of his subjects in a creative, original way. His photos do just that. With all the excitement of an artist truly interested in the image he is creating, Ed’s portraits display otherwise forgotten moments in time, moments in which his models reveal a deeply personal expression of their souls. This individual connection results in photographs that are provocative, clairvoyant, and inspiring, for Ed uses his camera to look through the visual elements laid out before him and reveal the secret soul hidden beneath.