Meet Our Photographer
Rik Andersen is an award-winning photographer who has crafted and used his camera skills in the Texas Panhandle and beyond.
As a student, he earned his associate degree in photography from Amarillo College, and a bachelor’s degree in applied arts and science along with a master’s degree in communication from West Texas A&M University. While in college, working for area portrait studios (as well as college publications) cemented his desire to make photography his life’s work.
Rik started working for WT as the University Photographer in 1992, and in his time there won Best of Show from UPPA and a regional Addy, along with numerous other Addy and UPPA awards. He also received Best in the Nation awards from both Admissions Marketing Report and College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) for university promotional photographs. WT recognized Rik with the University's highest staff award, the Clarence E. Thompson Award in 1999. Retiring in 2020, he returned when Academic Digital Marketing was formed.
Photography served as a conduit to other interests. Freelance jobs photographing local musical groups introduced him to working with the bands and eventually learning to run sound and lights for live shows. He also has an interest in motor sports and selling his photographs of the competitors helped to finance for his first race car.