So normally here on Producer'sVoice I've been talking to producers, musicians, vocalists, and rappers. This is the beginning of a new category that I want to include. Photography is one of the most important parts of today's music industry. Yes, with all the high quality smartphone cameras everyone and their sister can take high quality pictures and call themselves a photographer on social media...this segment is not about them. I'm here to talk with the best and most brilliant photographers in music.
Have you always lived in D.C?
Shockingly, I actually do not live in D.C. I live in VA and always have. I currently moved to Fairfax, Va which brings me much closer to D.C. When I was younger we used to switch back and forth from Oklahoma and Kansas and then back to Virginia.
Do you have a favorite restaurant? What do you order at a bar?
Hmmm, favorite restaurant? Well, there's one Chinese restaurant I love going to in VA just because it reminds me of my childhood, family gatherings and late night eats. However, if you mean favorite restaurant in terms of best thing I've had in the states, I would say Foreign Cinema in San Francisco and Blue Duck Tavern in D.C. I'll usually order something refreshing with gin at the bar. I typically ask for cucumber or floral based with a hint of club soda and mint with very little sweetness or tartness in a Collins glass haha. Very specific.
Favorite place to travel?
I am in love with the west coast. Specifically Seattle. Always thought I'd move there and still contemplating a future move. For international travels, Asia for sure. I loved my trip to Korea and Singapore. My sister and I have been looking at tickets recently to plan a trip back within the next year and possibly China and Japan the following year.
When did you first start taking photos, and what made you decide to pursue photography?
I started taking photos my Junior year in High school. My mother used to be a photographer and so was my uncle. I grew up watching my mother in the studio and photographing people so I guess that's where my interest stemmed from. I was hooked when I was able to take a class in High School but then stopped taking photos for years after I graduated. I purchased my first DSLR when I turned 22 from Craigslist. It was a Nikon D40x or something. It was an outdated camera but I didn't care, I was just so happy to have finally gotten my hands on one. I discovered music photography when I took a trip to Austin in 2015 to attend SXSW. When I came back from my trip, I started going to more shows and then eventually got involved in the music photography scene.
Cats or dogs?
Dogs all the way!
How do you photograph huge concerts vs smaller shows?
It really is just arbitrary. I request to cover whatever show I'm interested in at the moment through a publication and sometimes they get approved and sometimes they don't. However, after covering as many shows as I have, I have been given the opportunity of being asked to cover shows more often then requesting them myself.
When people ask you technical questions about your gear, how does it make you feel, and also, how do you respond?
Incompetent haha. I tell people all the time, I am in no way an expert or in any position to talk about gear. I don't know much other than the basics of what I can remember from High School or what I learn from YouTube. In fact, whenever I hear others talk about the technical side of photography and gear and how much money they invest with studio time and lighting, it makes me uncomfortable. I feel like many people think I know it all or am skilled in all departments when it comes to photography but I'm simply not. I know what I like and what look I'm trying to capture and I just do that. I mess around with the settings and trade my lens every year to try something new. I currently only have 2 set of lens, one being a really crappy zoom lens given to me for free, 8 years ago on Craigslist. The other lens is a 24-70mm Sigma lens.
Does being in the crowd vs backstage/on stage have a big affect on how well you capture a band/artist?
I think it does. I love capturing behind the scene shots and shooting the artists/bands during preparation of a show and watch how they interact with one another. I also feel like artists prefer the backstage shots over anything else because it represents a moment in time of their growth and journey. However, I don't really enjoy shooting on stage. Being in front of the crowd makes me anxious and I never want to intrude or be a distraction from the performance so I usually step down to the photo pit to get my shots.
You time travel 5 years back and meet yourself..what would you tell yourself? (optional)
To just go for it. Stop being so scared of rejection and failure.
Do you get to interact with all of the artists/bands you shoot?
Typically it's not common to get to personally interact/meet the artists/bands we shoot. I have been very fortunate to work with publications that allow me to sit in on so many interviews and shoot portraits/bts photos that have allowed me to get to know some of the artists on a more personal level.
The way you edit your photos is so different from others I've seen, what inspires your unique style?
The first show I ever shot, I remember sifting through the photos and stumbling across one that peaked my interest, however, the artist was positioned oddly and I knew I needed to do something to the image to make it less of an awkward shot. I had added a double exposure effect and added some texture to it and changed the tone to give it a more retro vibe to compliment the floral blazer the artist was wearing. My family reacted positively to the edit and then the artist ended up re-posting. I knew I had to continue to push the limits with my edits. However, the more I experimented with editing during the earlier stage of my photography "career," the more mixed reactions and negative feedback I received. I started to second guess what I was doing and toned it down to simpler edits.
I soon grew tired and bored of the work I was producing and slowed down on shooting but after missing being at shows and taking photos, I decided I needed a change if I was going to continue. I started to get really inspired whenever I watched certain films or listened to various artists, like I would just feel a certain way and knew I wanted my images to project a certain vibe when people viewed them. I have always been intrigued with retro things and wanted my photos to emulate that but wanted to added a more majestic and dreamy feel at the same time. So I just started experimenting with textures and bringing random reflective items to shows to see what look I could achieve, layered images over and over, trying different tones, etc. My brother actually said I went to far with one edit, and that it came off as ridiculous even though he supports me with everything I do, he found this one to be a bit much as most people typically would. I posted it anyways and it's one of my most proud image considering the limitations I had from the show and what I created from that. I've actually had many photographers tell me that image inspired them with their edits as well.
How has your life changed since you started began your career in music photography?
I've been more outgoing and open to attend events on my own. I think a lot of people (myself included) miss out on things because they're scared of going out and doing stuff on their own like going to the movies, show or restaurant. When I started doing this, I was terrified to go to shows alone and always had my brother go with me until he couldn't tag along anymore and I was forced to do it on my own. Earlier on, I would have so much down time in between sets or shoots that I had to find stuff to do so I started to go to dinner by myself or shop or just roam around the city and it definitely made me more independent. Now I just think it's crazy to wait on someone else just so you can enjoy your life. Like why miss out on a film you want to watch just because you don't have anyone to go with or why wait on someone to try a restaurant you've been dying to try. This journey has also allowed to meet so many incredible people and that alone has made me grow into a much more positive and open minded person. My life is also way more hectic and busy but has been insanely fulfilling.
You get to shoot some of the most famous artists in music, are you ever star struck?
I always am, haha.
What are the perks of working for a major music label?
You get more exposure so more work opportunities. You also get paid pretty decent and hook up on extra tickets haha You just feel a sense of community when working with a label and working with a team. You also have like a special bond with the other photographers that have worked so hard to get to that point. Unfortunately, nowadays many do not want to put in the hard work and think they should be given these huge opportunities before even putting in any time and effort.
Is there a downside?
Sometimes you have to sign contracts which limits you to your photos. Like I shot an artist and I loved the photos from the shoot but out of 150 shots, only 10 were approved for posting and I legally cannot release any of the other images. So I have them on my computer in a file that no one will ever see.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to pursue music photography?
Do your research. Work hard and be patient. Be okay with rejection. Know your worth. Understand the etiquette of music photography. DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Being inspired is one thing, but taking someone else's idea and taking credit for it as if you came up with it entirely on your own is a big no-no.
For more photos by Cina please visit:
Instagram - @ilikeyourface
