Clean. Intentional. Effortless. Andy Dutton doesn’t just take sneaker photos – he curates moments. His eye for detail and balance has made him one of the most respected visual voices in the sneaker space. We kicked off the Laced Up series by asking him 15 questions about his journey, his style, and the sneakers that shaped it all.
The Personal Kicks Story
SD: What was the sneaker that started it all for you – the one that made you fall down the rabbit hole and why?
AD: It is kind of a 2 part story. The first pair of Jordans that I ever saw in person were the 2000 Laney 5s. That did something to me. It got me hooked on the idea of getting a pair of Jordans, even though I would not get a pair for many years after I saw them. My junior year of high school, I was able to walk into a Foot Locker and get my first ever Jordan signature model, the Air Jordan 2 in the Black Chrome colorway. That was the moment my affinity for collecting sneakers began.
SD: If we opened the vault: which pair in your collection has the most sentimental value, and why?
AD: Last year, I was able to find a pair of 2000 Laney 5s and get the midsole swapped on them. That was such a nostalgic moment for me, bringing my sneaker journey full circle to where it all began.
SD: You seem to gravitate toward clean and timeless aesthetics. Has your taste in sneakers evolved over the years?
AD: It definitely has. Early on, I was all about Jordans and Nike basketball shoes. It gradually shifted to Air Maxes and SBs, and within the last 3 to 4 years, I have grown to love brands like Saucony, Asics, and New Balance.
The Photographer’s Eye
SD: Your photography has a signature style – minimal, moody, and super detailed. How did you develop that look?
AD: It started in my apartment, taping sneakers to the wall and using natural light through the window to mimic a studio look. I have always been drawn to that clean, polished aesthetic, how it makes a sneaker look elevated and refined. Even with limited gear, I tried to bring out the shape, texture, and small details that tell the story. Over time, I like to think my skills have grown and I continue to have fun with it. I have also been inspired by a lot of talented sneaker photographers whose work pushed me to keep refining my own approach while staying true to what feels natural to me.
SD: What’s your go-to camera setup when shooting sneakers, and do you have a favorite background or lighting trick?
AD: I keep things pretty consistent with the setup, and I try to let the background complement the sneaker. I am still trying to figure out and experiment with lighting, which I feel is an endless pursuit, but a fun one. Though my favorite lighting technique now is illuminating mesh shoes from the inside, it gives them a cool look.
SD: Ever had a photoshoot that totally flopped? What happened and what did you learn?
AD: I cannot think of a shoot that totally flopped in my eyes. There have been moments where I have learned things or had to adjust on the fly, but I never really see them as failures. Maybe some posts did not perform well by social media standards, but that is never why I shoot. It is always been about having fun, experimenting, and finding new ways to express myself creatively. Every shoot, good or bad, has helped shape my style.
Culture, Community & Collabs
SD: What’s your take on today’s sneaker collabs – do they still feel special, or are we in oversaturation mode?
AD: I think we are definitely in a bit of an oversaturation era. Collabs used to feel like events, something rare that brought a new story or perspective to a sneaker. Now, it feels like there is a new one every week, and not all of them seem to have a clear purpose. That said, there are still collabs that cut through. When the storytelling is strong and the design feels intentional, they still hit. I just think the bar is higher now because we have seen so much. The ones that stick with me are the ones that feel personal or push boundaries in a meaningful way, not just a color swap with a logo.
SD: You’ve been part of the sneaker community for years. What’s one thing that’s improved, and one thing you wish would go back to how it was?
AD: One thing that has definitely improved is accessibility. More people are into sneakers now, and there is more visibility for different voices, styles, and stories. That diversity has made the culture richer in a lot of ways. But one thing I miss is how organic it used to feel. Before everything was tied to resale value or content, it felt more about passion. People wore what they loved, not just what was popular. I would love to see more of that energy come back, where it is less about flexing and more about connecting.
SD: Are there any underground brands or independent creators in the sneaker space you think more people should know about?
AD: Yeah, there are definitely some independent creators and brands that deserve more attention. John Geiger (red.@JohnGeiger_ ) has been doing dope stuff for a while now. He really carved out his own lane with design and quality. You can tell there is intention behind what he creates. In the hoop shoe space, EQLz has been making waves. They are building something from the ground up with performance and culture in mind, which is rare. It is exciting to see independent brands take risks and bring fresh ideas to the table, especially when so much of the market feels repetitive.
Sneaker Futures & Hot Takes
SD: What’s one upcoming sneaker trend you’re excited about – and one you wish would die out?
AD: A trend that has me excited is the upward tick in performance basketball shoes being worn off the court again. That was a big thing when I was a kid and it came back strong in the 2010s. It is just dope to see it return. There is something cool about seeing shoes made for function being styled in everyday fits. It brings back that mix of sport and street that made me fall in love with sneakers in the first place. One trend I would not be mad to see fade out is hypebeast culture. The obsession with chasing whatever is hot just because it is limited or resells well has taken a lot of the fun out of it. When people wear what they genuinely like, not just what is worth the most money, individual taste and self expression win.
SD: How do you feel about the intersection of sneakers and Web3/digital wearables – gimmick or the next wave?
AD: I think there is potential there, but a lot of it still feels like a gimmick right now. Some of the digital sneaker stuff looks cool and it is interesting to see brands experiment, but most of it does not feel fully connected to sneaker culture yet. It is more about tech buzz than real storytelling or design. That said, I am not against it. If someone figures out how to blend digital wearables with real world experiences in a meaningful way, that could be the next wave. But for me, sneakers are still about the physical product. How they feel, how they age, how they are worn.
SD: If you could design a sneaker collab from scratch, what brand would you choose and what would the concept be?
AD: This one is tough because honestly I would be happy working with any brand that would have me. Just having the opportunity to tell a story through my own shoe would be special. I have a few ideas I would love to bring to life, something that ties into my experience as a teacher with design choices and materials that reflect that journey. It would be personal but also relatable to anyone who values creativity, hard work, and purpose in what they wear.
Quickfire Round
SD: Laces: tucked in, flopping out, or deadstock knot?
AD: Laces loose, more comfy that way. And wear your kicks. Do not let them sit on a shelf.
SD: Sneaker hill you’ll die on – what’s your most unpopular sneaker opinion?
AD: One sneaker hill I will die on is that not every great shoe needs hype behind it. Some of the best pairs sit on shelves or hit outlets and that does not make them any less special. I care more about storytelling, materials, and how a shoe makes you feel than how limited it is.
SD: You wake up and can only wear one pair for the rest of your life. Which one is it?
AD: This question is always a good one because it makes me think about what I would want to wear when I am older and my body is not as limber as it was when I was younger. So I would go with something comfortable that still has personality. Probably one of the Action Bronson New Balance 990v6 pairs or the Water Be the Guide Salehe Bembury 2002R. Both have great comfort, unique design, and enough style to feel good wearing them no matter what age I am.
That’s a wrap on Laced Up Ep. 01 – huge thanks to Andy Dutton – @ad_sneaks for kicking things off with calm precision, clean shots, and thoughtful answers
Next up: another sneaker storyteller with a sharp eye and a different vibe. Stay tuned. Stay laced.
Let me know who you would like to be featured! #LacedUpSeries #SneakerheadCreators
