Meet Audrey Kriss Berkowitz | fine art photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Audrey Kriss Berkowitz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Audrey, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I had worked in the banking sector for almost 30 years and was no longer fulfilled or happy. My son died n 2016 at the age of 29 and it made me realize how fragile life is and how important it is to be happy with what you do. Communing with nature became my happy place, especially the beaches in NC. He is the inspiration that started out as a way to achieve peace and serenity and turned into what I wanted to do with my time and how I wanted to reach out to others.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My story with photography began in 2017 after the death of my son in Maryland in 2016. I previously lived in Maryland and had a long career in banking which I was no longer happy with. When I moved to NC, I was determined to do work I enjoyed because life is too short to be unhappy. I always say that this is the gift Josh left me. Taking pictures out in nature -in the beginning primarily the beach- gave me peace and serenity. My hope is that my clients feel something when they look at my photographs.
I joined the Art League of Leland and was honored to have my photograph “Road to Navassa” be selected for promotion for the art show that year. Since then I have entered many shows, had several one woman shows such as Bellamy Mansion and Burgwin-Wright House Intracoastal Realty downtown. There are so many talented artists that it is always an honor to be juried into a show. I have had shows that featured food, landscapes, street photography and artistically enhanced photographs. The heart of my art is to capture attention and make the viewer feel something.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Of course the beaches! Fort Fisher because I feel the trees at Fort Fisher are a site to be seen. Airlie Gardens and New Hanover Arboretum in the spring or summer. Cameron At Museum is a wonderful small art museum that is worth seeing. Southport is also a wonderful little town to wander around with it’s own little beach. A visit is not complete without going Downtown to see the wonderful historic homes and waterfront. Being a foodie and loving to photograph it-I feel we are a food lovers haven with restaurants such as Savorez, Caprice, RX, Yosake, Catch and Fishy Fish in Southport or Sailfish in Hampstead. Wonderful bars which also have music such as End of Days Distillery and Cloud 9 .

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There have been several in my life that have mentored me and given me the encouragement to move forward. My first mentors were friends Tara Holl -a nationally and internationally recognized artist and Eva DeMers who is a photographer from New York. Tara gave me the opportunity to exhibit my work in my first show in Maryland. Both have given me the encouragement and helped me build my confidence. I am also grateful to the Art League of Leland for the opportunities it has presented and Charlie Baggett (talented local photographer) for her praise and support.
My son was my inspiration for becoming involved with photography.

Website: 1-audrey-berkowitz.pixels.com

Instagram: [email protected]

Facebook: facebook/audreykrissphotography.com