So you know the top producers in the game, the biggest studios, the main record labels, the reputable managers, but there’s another role equally important in a musician’s career. Important because without them, the hottest artists wouldn’t be able to sell their brand, merch, tickets. They are the photographers. And more specifically, concert photographers. It is one of the most difficult positions to hold in the picture-taking field because your subject is always moving in low light. It doesn’t get worse than this. And yet, you see masterpieces on the artist’s website, calendar, Instagram, promo material, etc. That’s an indubitable talent to the thousand. Accordingly, memorize their names and follow them on Instagram because you just might work together in a year or two.
10. Allister Ann (Instagram HERE)
Enter a most interesting perspective on a musician’s life. A visual take that doesn’t really reverberate in many portfolios. Allister Ann’s photos give off a most intimate aura, almost as if you were present in that same moment with that very person you’re looking at. She’s taken photos of some big names like Dolly Parton, Taylor Swift, The Civil Wars, and Kenny Chesney.
9. Ashley Osborn (Instagram HERE)
The LA based talent is one that goes for unconventional imagery, warm tones, artsy moods. Her photos have a retro-ish aesthetic to them and she manages to flawlessly capture the emotions the subjected artist usually transmits through his/her music. With 125k followers, Ashley Osborn has captured celebrities like Olivia Rodrigo, Selena Gomez, Cardi B, Maejor.
8. John Shearer (Instagram HERE)
John Shearer boasts 50k+ followers and for good reason. He seems to have an affinity for musicians who are pros in the Country genre and who generally play guitars. Seriously. You’ll find he’s shot Taylor Swift, Kelsea Ballerini, Cassadee Pope, Jimmie Allen, and others. As a matter of fact, his visuals go in tandem with what Country music stands for: rustic colors, plenty of black and white doleful filters, and guitars.
7. Todd Owyoung (Instagram HERE)
An official Nikon ambassador, Todd shot heavy legends like Sting, The Weeknd, P. Diddy, Britney Spears, Lil Wayne, Miley Cirus. His catalog is truly one of a kind and mind-boggling. Who needs to be famous when you can be a music photographer and meet all of the coolest people in the world without all the attached fame of an A-lister? Cool job indeed. Todd’s expertise is obvious in his 1000 plus posts on his own official website HERE.
6. Raven B. Varona (Instagram HERE)
Now peep these names: Adele, Jay Z, John Legend, Big Sean, Jhene Aiko, Beyoncé. She truly has the privilege of shooting the crop of the cream. The woman’s talent shines both in static photography as well as full-on tours. She started in her native New York and then moved up to stratospheric levels in the music industry. More about her and her work HERE.
5. Beth Saravo (Instagram HERE)
Beth Saravo’s work appears to be an exquisite amalgamation between planned shots and live movement. She does keep a rather mystical touch in her photography style, featuring digitally covered eyes, masked faces, back-of-the-head shots, chin angles. She’s worked with the likes of Nicole Richie, XXXTentacion, Billie Eilish, Playboi Carti, Wiz Khalifa.
4. Hannah Sider (Instagram HERE)
Although subtle, the glamour does make a steady impact on Hannah’s photos. The setting is usually urbanistic and the colors, albeit vivid, very ’90s-like. She likes shooting frontal portraits in cool settings with some even resembling selfie angles. The NY-based photographer has worked with notable names such as Trinidad James, Pop Smoke, Tyga, Swae Lee, Travis Scott, Ella.
3. Charlie Peacher (Instagram HERE)
Charlie’s portfolio features big names like Timbaland, Gucci Mane, Joey Badass, Sisqo, Kendrick Lamar, T Pain, Quavo, 21 Savage. The Hip Hop photographer places his subjects to capture a larger-than-life vibe. He shoots most of the artists from lower-positioned angles as to pump even more grandeur into his strategic shots. No wonder he’s one of the top Rap artists’ favorite go-to photographers.
2. Jonathan Mannion (Instagram HERE)
From Lauryn Hill, Ciara, and Aaliyah, to Jay Z, DMX, Eminem, and Nas, Johnathan Mannion is a legend within his own right. If you’re a 2000’s baby, you can’t help but feel super nostalgic and old looking at his marvelous shots. He encapsulated such a transformative and historical period in the music industry, that very few will ever be able to claim the same monumental portfolio as himself.
1. David Uzochukwu (Instagram HERE)
Welcome to THE parallel universe. David Uzochukwu manipulates high-end photography into very unlikely scenarios, fantasy-filled bodies of water, modified human shapes. His whole feed feels like a trip. His client list features names such as FKA Twigs and Pharell. He’s so great at what he does that he quit social media to focus on his art and STILL gets crazily booked. Here’s a whole extra reason to both hate him and admire him. He is only 22 years old. FML. Read more on this genius HERE.
Please support the independent artists we’ve discovered across the world by streaming the playlist below. A little of your time is one step closer for at least 20 artists in the direction of their dreams.
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