Urs Fischer's Rotten Foundation

office sat down with AP to discuss everything from his street photography, which is both natural and lively, to his organized work and beyond.

You went to school for film right?

Yeah, I went to Western Michigan for film and video media and dropped out when I was a junior. Then I accidentally moved to New York. 

What do you mean accidentally? 

I came to New York to visit my uncle, went to a bar called Smithfield Hall, got black-out drunk, and somebody offered me a job, which I allegedly took.

How did you make a name for yourself in New York?

Well it’s been a long process, like 8-10 years, but I really made a name for myself during the pandemic with the NewYorkNico photo competition that I won. Shoutout to all the losers, [laughs] I’m just kidding (I’m really not though). Then I shot a NY magazine cover – shoutout to Daniel Arnold for putting me on for that job. That’s kind of how I became more notable but I have been taking photos of the streets for a long time, have done a lot of jobs, and worked with a lot of photographers and collectives over the years.

What is your inspiration?

I usually go out looking for light, shadow, and minimalism. I guess the balance between things draws me in but sometimes I like to shoot color even though I am primarily a B&W photographer.

Has B&W always been your preferred style?

Over the years I became more of a black-and-white photographer because I think that without color there is less distraction in the photo. It’s more about the story. Color can be used for symbolism and different moods. B&W just gives the photo a timeless feel.

What is your day-to-day routine?

I really don’t have a plan. I really have just been kind of winging it. Back when I was young and ambitious and just trying to get it, I was just shooting every day, but I have certain days now where I like to get up and go shoot. If it’s a rainy day I will go shoot from eight in the morning to 2 o’clock. However, I spend most of my days going through old work and putting together projects like my book.

Do you ever bring your camera when you go out at night to the club?

Oh yeah, I pretty much carry a camera all the time. If not my main camera, then I buy disposables. Right now, I have like 30 rolls I need to develop.

Is there a song you’d use to describe your work?

I don’t really listen to music when I walk around and shoot, I like to hear the actual vibe around me. There’s a lot to hear, it’s almost like music. If I had to choose a song, I would choose the natural sounds of the universe, but if I have to pick one, I would say Son Shine by Sault.

Who would play you in a movie about your life?

I would play myself or I would choose John David Washington but it just wouldn’t make sense.

How did you end up shooting people like Snoop, A$AP, or Lady Gaga?

Working with A$AP – that story is crazy. I basically had to do a job in Arizona and my manager at the time was like oh you aren’t going to go. Then, my boy Luke called saying that he needed a BTS photographer in LA so I went to shoot and hang out with my friends. At the time, I didn’t know that they were going to use my photos. One day I just saw it on a magazine cover, and now, it’s everywhere. My dad even saw it in Chicago. For Snoop Dogg, I got hired by GQ - they hit me last minute for that. I fell asleep on set for like three hours but I took all the BTS shots.

What about Lady Gaga or Woody Harrelson? I know the stories but tell the people.

I guess shoutout to Carlos and Ray’s. I hang out with Justin [Theroux] a lot and one night we got with Woody Harrelson and smoked like 7 joints. By the end of the night, I was like “Dude I have got to get a picture.” Then a couple weeks later, Lady Gaga was just there at their wrap party at Ray’s while I was taking photos.

I would say you are the coolest photographer I know.

I would say that’s pretty accurate. I wish I was the most paid photographer though.

What has been the best part of capturing the streets and life in NYC?

New York is structurally super beautiful, a big part of the reason I wanted to move to NY was because of all the movies I watched. I always thought it would be cool to take photos like that. The way New York is built is really cool, how the light hits all of the buildings; there is always a character walking through the photos. I take photos of everything but what I like to photograph are natural moments. I think capturing a moment in time is the most brilliant thing, it’s so cool to stop time and wait for all the elements to align. New York is the best playground to make a really good picture or moment. I do take pictures but I prefer to call them moments.

How did you get the name AP the Angel?

I actually don’t remember. AP the Angel comes from this idea that everybody has this journey on earth, where they have to come to the realization that they are inevitably going to die. You’re already dead. I don’t know how to explain it and people will think I’m crazy but I am an eternal being who is already an angel on earth. I am already living and I am already dead because time isn’t real.

Checkout Ap's work on his website.