This year has been a rollercoaster to say the least. The first few months of 2023 was negative experience after negative experience. Instead of letting that get the best of me, I used it as motivation to get to the place I am now. My friend and I moved into an amazing apartment in a wonderful location, I reconnected with friends I lost connection with at the beginning of the year and made new friends through photography. My magazine release its first print edition. I was able to photograph at two large-scale festivals. I also upgraded my camera to a Sony a7iii after outgrowing my a7ii.
So many opportunities came my way, some carrying over to the new year. I wanted to highlight a few that I felt were pivotal moments in my career:
I became a house photographer for a few venues
I’ve been working on this for a while. I originally became a house photographer for the Independent and Bimbo’s 365 Club after I interned with Another Planet Entertainment. These venues have helped me become more confident when moving around crowds to get the perfect shot.
Originally, because these venues did not have a photo pit, I would camp out in the first or second row with the crowd to secure the perfect spot and would stay there until the end of the show. Now, I still camp out, but I start moving around after the third song to get as many angles as possible.
A few months ago, I started shooting at the beloved Fox Theater in Downtown Oakland for the organization and have loved it. I’ve photographed at that venue in the past for my magazine and for Noise Pop Festival 2020. Being able to shoot for the venue was a dream.
I also started working with independent venues like DNA Lounge and the UC Theatre. DNA Lounge definitely books more rock acts than others which I love. The energy of the bands I’ve photographed for them has been so fun to capture. Despite the small stage, these bands utilize every inch to their advantage. The staff at the UC Theatre are incredibly kind and passionate about the work they do. The last show I covered for them was Chappell Roan. Side note: if you ever get the chance to go to a Chappell Roan show, do it!
This year I started working with Goldenvoice’s Bay Area division through a connection my roommate had. It’s funny, in January I dm’d their Instagram account to see if there were any available photographer positions and was turned down. The world works in mysterious ways.
I photographed the Jungle Giant’s set at Outside Lands
They played on the main stage which I was NOT expecting. I received this opportunity through their press rep who I worked with through my magazine. The band was looking for a photographer based in the Bay and she recommended me to them. The Jungle Giants are sweethearts and were a dream to work with.
Getting to run around on stage and around the pit was an experience I’ll never forget. I wrote in my journal at the end of 2022 that I wanted to either attend or photograph at Outside Lands in 2023 and it came true. I’m hoping that in 2024 I’ll be able to photograph the festival again, we’ll see!
I received a press pass to Portola
I’ll be honest, I applied on a whim. I didn’t think I’d get a press pass to a festival like this, especially with the line-up that it had. When I received the approval email while working at my main job I jumped out of my desk in excitement. This was my first ever major festival approval.
I had what I called a “Rina Curse.” The last two times Rina Sawayama performed at the Bay — the first on my birthday, then second later in 2022 — I was suddenly sick. To finally photograph her at Portola broke the curse. She is such an energetic performer, and her live vocals are perfection.
Other artists that I had the wonderful opportunity of seeing for the first time were Labyrinth, Nelly Furtado, Little Simz, Masego, Pabllo Vittar, and Yung Singh. Skrillex was one of the closing acts for night two, but it was underwhelming from a photography and a fan perspective if I’m being honest. My friends and I thought he would perform his older mixes like “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites” but it was mainly modern remixes and a smoke machine that covered the entire stage.
I updated my editing style
I’m know for my dreamy, colorful edits. It’s something I’ve worked on since I decided to pursue photography in 2019. But as I was looking at what my concert photography friends were doing with their work, I saw mine in a different light. Of course you shouldn’t compare yourself to others as it has a negative impact on how you see your work. And yet, this reflection led me to experiment more with my editing style.
I took those vibrant colors and twisted them. Without realizing it my photos started to look like 80s synth pop art with a matte finish. And I loved it.
I’m hoping to translate this more with my creative portrait shoots. I don’t want to spoil it at all, but I’m taking inspiration from a style I fell in love with when I took an art class in London. It’ll be worth the wait, I promise!
Conclusion
I have a few opportunities lined up in the new year that I can’t wait to do. Issue 2 of my magazine is in the works, I have a few portrait shoots planned, and I’m looking into videography. 2024 is going to be a big year for me and I can’t wait to share what I’ve done with you all!
I’ll see you next year!
