Exclusive Interview with Evan Murphy

At just 25, Evan Murphy’s work immediately stood out for its depth and maturity. A self-taught photographer originally from Las Vegas and now based in New York City, Evan blends raw emotion with a strong visual voice shaped by years of creative exploration. His series I.D. earned him a solo exhibition in July 2024, marking an impressive early milestone in a career that promises to go far.

We asked him a few questions about his life and work.

All About Photo: Can you tell us about your early experiences with photography? What first sparked your interest in visual storytelling?

Evan Murphy: I always had a love for storytelling, cameras, and digital media in general growing up. My interest in photography really began when I started taking portraits of my friends in high school, and capturing themselves in a way they had not seen before. Their reactions to themselves is what made me excited about taking photos. Over time, I began to dive deeper into photography, and the stories I wanted to intentionally tell within the images.

Growing up in Las Vegas, you and your twin brother were always encouraged to be creative. How did that environment shape your artistic path?

Being raised in a creative household, especially with my twin brother, meant I was always experimenting with different forms of visual art like movies and photoshoots. It made cameras and editing softwares not seem like a foreign language, which in itself opened the door to keep learning and evolving what the both of us were making. While we both found our own paths with digital media, it is still a bond we share with each other. I continue to learn from his eye and taste in visual storytelling.


You mentioned making movies, doing photoshoots, and experimenting with visual art from a young age. Did you always see photography as your main creative outlet, or were you drawn to other forms of storytelling as well?

I continuously draw inspiration from various forms of media and art, but photography became my main outlet because it felt the most immediate and personal. From a technical perspective, it felt like an outlet that I easily picked up. Continuously learning about cameras and editing has given me the ability to tell the in depth stories I aspire to tell.

Unlike many photographers, you’re completely self-taught. What was your learning process like, and how did you develop your skills without formal training?

Lot’s of YouTube tutorials, trial and error, and years of practice. I started taking photos when I was 13, but I already knew the basics of a DSLR camera from a young age. Everything seemed much less intimidating to learn, and I feel lucky to have already had a toolkit of knowledge and skills to build from.

I’m still learning, there is so much that goes into photography besides the technicalities of a camera alone. But how I really started learning photography in my teens was recreating images that I loved. You will never get an exact replica, and it breaks down intimidating images. You naturally learn the elements of the photo that draw you to it.


Who were some of your biggest influences—whether in photography, cinema, or other art forms—while you were shaping your artistic identity?

I’ve drawn inspiration from documentary and candid photographers, like Nan Goldin, especially for how she captured queer life with honesty and vulnerability. Cinema and other visual arts have also influenced how I think about framing and atmosphere.

Moving to New York City at 21 was a major turning point for you. How did that transition impact your work and personal growth as an artist?

New York helped develop my eye for photography through experience and studying. Being surrounded by so much art and creative energy allowed me to grow and understand the visual language better.

Just the access to art alone in New York has developed my taste and eye for photography. Being able to go see exhibitions from the greats such as Annie Leibovitz naturally attributes to endless inspiration.


You’ve mentioned that living in New York made you more observant of the world around you. What were some of the biggest surprises or challenges you faced as a young artist in a new city?

There are so many different avenues of success with photography, it’s an industry of proving yourself, just like many of the arts. But the biggest thing I’ve learned is you truly can carve your own path, your own brand, and your own timeline of success. I’ve often found myself surrounded by undeniable talent and unmatchable experience, which is both inspiring and overwhelming. But staying true to my own vision has always been how I’ve gained any recognition or credibility as an artist.

I.D. explores the journey of identity, particularly within the queer community. What initially inspired you to create this series?

I wanted to create a body of work that could not only show my abilities as a photographer, but to tell a story in the form of portraits. It was a topic I felt I could go deeper on not only from my own experience, but the people I was meeting while living in New York. There’s a strong correlation to queer media and New York, and often depicted as a place of rebirth.

I wanted to create work that showed queer identity beyond narratives of struggle or secrecy. It was important to also show moments of self-expression, chosen family, connection, and growth, reflecting a broad range of queer experiences.


You’ve said that I.D. isn’t just about your own experiences but also highlights other people’s stories. How did you go about selecting and working with your subjects?

The subjects in I.D. were individuals I met throughout my time living in New York City. Some were friends, while others were people I encountered who carried a presence that aligned with the emotional tone I was drawn to. The process was intentional and collaborative. Each image was planned with specific narratives and emotions in mind.

Many of your images focus on modern romantic connections, societal impact, and self-liberation. How do you visually translate these themes into your work?

I use lighting, composition, and setting to create mood and atmosphere that convey emotional complexity. I aim for images that feel intimate and real, showing moments that suggest a larger story. My favorite inspiration is always from films. I often screenshot or take photos in the theater of visually stunning scenes for me to come back to. Attempting to recreate the feeling from a film or scene has helped to translate the aspects of storytelling in my images.

For the I.D. Series, I drew a lot of inspiration from already existing queer media. For example, the movie “Paris is On Fire” heavily inspired the piece “Escape Code,” meant to represent the theme of chosen family in the queer community.


Storytelling is at the heart of your photography. What do you hope audiences take away from I.D.?

I want viewers to find their own meaning in the images and to feel a connection to the stories being told. The goal is to encourage understanding and empathy through these personal moments. I hope it can resonate beyond the queer community, opening conversations of diverse perspectives.

You mentioned that your experience in New York gave your work a sense of “intrusion.” How do you navigate that fine line between observation and personal connection?

A lot of it depends on your own eye for visual storytelling and the feeling you're trying to evoke. I draw inspiration from emotional states or real-life scenarios. That’s where the sense of peeking through or finding a stillness in chaos comes from. A lot of the moments I capture feel intimate or even suffocating at times, but they come from a place of reflection. Living in New York, the city feels like a stage where people show up as themselves. That dynamic has always felt like an outsider’s perspective to me, which naturally influences the way I observe and frame connection in photography.


Your work has already been exhibited internationally, including during the Venice Biennale. How does it feel to see your deeply personal work reach such a wide audience?

Having any kind of recognition for my work is touching, but seeing it in print especially internationally is really rewarding. Visiting Venice at this time felt like the entire city was there for the shared love of art. The images in the series had been in my head for a long time, their meaning and final execution developed as I did. So to watch people wonder or create their own interpretation was just so exciting.

Would you say your approach to photography has evolved over time? If so, how has it changed from when you first started?

The more I pursue photography, I think the more intentional it becomes going into a shoot. I’ve learned the value of pre-production over the years, and have seen a difference in my work when I know the story I want from it.


Looking ahead, how do you see your work continuing to develop? Are there any new themes or projects you’re excited to explore?

I’ll be exhibiting a new project this July in the heart of Arles, France during the Rencontres d’Arles art festival. The work explores themes of solitude, nostalgia, and coming of age.

Anything else you would like to share? Advice you could give to young aspiring photographers?

I still feel like I have a long way to go, and I myself am still an aspiring young photographer. I think pursuing something creatively can sometimes seem daunting. You’re faced with endless competition of undeniable talent and experience. But what I will say is that not everyone has a creative vision, and it’s there for a reason. I truly believe that if you have the drive to create, see it through, and set your mind to it. Not everyone has that ability, and that’s what I think a lot of people forget.