Concert Photography

Did I Subconsciously Start a Music Magazine Because of Bratz Rock Angels?

January 8, 2026 by Michelle

I was looking for something to watch as I finalized my end of year apartment deep clean when YouTube recommended the entirety of Bratz Rock Angels. How could I resist?

In Bratz Rock Angels, Jade was trying to live her dream working at Your Thing magazine. After her dreams are crushed due to the Tweevil’s sabotaging her, she emotionally tells her friends of the horrible three hours she had. It’s then that they come up with the idea to create their own music and fashion magazine. They somehow had enough money to purchase an office space in the same building as Your Thing and rummage through the invitations Jade swiped from Burdine Maxwell’s (the Editor-in-Chief, Founder, and reigning queen of Your Thing magazine) trash. They found an exclusive invitation to the opening of the most anticipated punk club in London. I don’t know how they got their parent’s permission to book a flight, but they did. And they had the adventure of a lifetime (I won’t spoil the movie for those who want to see it).

It was during the first 15 minutes of it when I thought, “Did I subconsciously start a music magazine because of this movie?” It was my favorite as a child. I played the video game on PlayStation 2 so many times I could memorize the character’s lines (I never completed the game, mainly because I didn’t have enough memory on the built-in card). I still remember driving around their silver convertible with a working built-in radio. The movie was on repeat so many times I scratched the DVD. Bratz was my favorite franchise, and it still continues to be my fashion inspiration.

Its been so long since I’ve seen the movie. The excitement on those girls’ faces after they finished decorating their office space and pitched ideas to each other reflected my same feelings when I created Cut It Out in 2019. They were raw, they wanted to share the “scoop” on cutting edge music and culture. I unintentionally made an magazine with an almost similar aesthetic to Bratz, and I didn’t realize until now. The tagline for Cut It Out is “showcasing artists going against the norm.” This is the exact mantra the Bratz went for when creating their publication. We both distributre print issues. There are just too many coincidences.

I won’t be let into an exclusive club in London by Simon Cowell anytime soon. Nor will I be in a five-piece band where everyone sings and plays guitar (no other instruments are on stage). But I have had some amazing experiences while running this mag. Maybe the next print issue should replicate that 2000s aesthetic? I think we can pull it off.

Ending 2025 Burnt Out. Starting 2026 with a New Mindset

December 31, 2025 by Michelle

I started disliking photography at the end of 2025. The act of rushing home from my 9-5 to quickly change and shove food in my mouth just to work for another 2 or more hours was less glamorous than before. When I looked at my camera, I had a sense of disdain. It was hard motivating myself to edit, even harder to get out of my warm apartment. It could be a mix of the Winter blues, but after some reflection I truly was just burnt out.

I forced myself to take a break in December: no gigs, no free shoots. I had to force myself to relax. When my energy returned after week two of my break, I started editing again on my own free will. I longingly look at my camera, excited to pick it up again.

Sometimes you have to force yourself to relax. My ADHD brain needs that. I’ve had time to live a “normal” life where I could come home and wind down after a long day. I created a workout routine and am hoping to stick to it once gigs pick back up. I’ve had time to hang out with my friends again.

It’s a balancing act, this freelancing thing. And I’m an all-or-nothing person. If I don’t fully dedicate myself to something I’ll just forget it exists and move on to something else. My closet is full of abandoned projects that I’ll “get back to someday.”

In 2026 I plan to pull back from saying “yes” to everything. I only want to take gigs that I know I’ll love and won’t be a pain in the neck to edit. My new hobby is getting back into my old hobbies; I want to knit a sweater and finish crocheting my granny square pants. I also want to vlog on YouTube and capture my travels and adventures in a digital scrapbook.

But I know I will get back into this funk again as it happens every year. The depression kicks into full gear and I’m left rotting in my bed. It’s why I fill my calendar with things to do and say yes to every shoot that crosses my path. I’m hoping I can keep up with this balanced lifestyle. And that I keep up with blogging to update you all on my progress. Here’s something we can do together this new year:

Pick up a slow hobby like Junk Journaling and crocheting to keep yourself grounded
Do something for yourself once a week. This could be going on a hike, exploring a new part of your town or city, cooking a meal you’ve always wanted to cook, etc.
Deep clean your space when you’re feeling in a rut. Looking at something clean might be the motivation you need.
Take a mini break from what’s stressing you out. It’s ok to pause and reflect every once in a while.

2023 in Review: Photography Evolution and Opportunities

December 23, 2023 by Michelle

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!

Photo of Carly Rae Jepsen in 2022 vs a photo of Misterwives in 2023

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!