Today we’d like to introduce you to Brynn Edwards.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Brynn. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’m a 16-year-old concert and music photographer in Arizona. It started with a passion for capturing images that were aesthetically and cinematically pleasing. I just like things that are fun to look at. I love images that make me happy and comfort me when I’m feeling down. It just so happens that I love music too, and that mixing music and images that make me happy makes me extra happy! I found out that I could potentially have a career mixing two things I love very much after seeing photographers like Jake Chams (Panic! At The Disco), Jawn Rocha (Waterparks), Adam Elmakias (many, many bands), and just so many other amazing and talented people touring and making beautiful art.
When I was 14 and just going into high school, I was disappointed to find out that my school’s photography program was being shut down. I had received a camera for Christmas in 8th grade, and I was very excited to learn how to use it. The only alternative was to take part in the film program at my school. Knowing this now, I wouldn’t have it any other way. The film program was amazing and had a fantastic teacher. I learned so much. I still don’t have much of a passion for film and videography, but I do have a larger knowledge base of cameras and lots of experience working in high speed industries and settings.
I’ve always loved written music magazines and things like Kerrang, Alternative Press, and Rock Sound. So my freshman year I found out that there were many online publications that would let you on their teams simply because you have a passion. I saw this on Entranced Media Magazine’s website when I was about to buy an I Don’t Know How But They Found Me magazine. I decided to apply, knowing I had no experience and a camera that couldn’t handle concert photography too well, and at that point very little knowledge of how to work my camera at all. I didn’t tell them my age, and three months later I was accepted. I always thank IDKHOW for kind of throwing me into my career and being my favorite band.
At about 15, I began to bring my little Canon EOS 1300D to any concerts I could get it into without having to request a photo pass. My first show was a Palaye Royale show, and I was shooting with a kit lens in a terribly lit venue in Phoenix. I remember messaging a photographer friend just freaking out because I couldn’t get a good picture. I soon found out there was almost nothing I could do about that! About a week after that I got a 50mm f/1.8 lens, which is much better for low light situations.
The more I shot shows, the more I got comfortable with photography and realized it’s a huge passion of mine. I didn’t even like the writing side of working with these publications. I still don’t really, but I like to help out. After a few months I requested my first photo pass with The Struts, who are one of my favorite bands. I was ecstatic when that was approved. Like, over the moon, unbelievably happy. I may have even shed a tear or two. My first photo pass and I was shooting one of my favorite bands? I couldn’t wrap my head around that.
After that, and many more 3-4 hour drives to Phoenix or Tucson for shows over the next year, I am still pursuing this as a career. I switched to online school because my high school wouldn’t let me miss as many days of school as I was for concerts. With this new school I’ve taken a photography class and I will be graduating a year early. I’m saving up for a Sony A7riii, which is a huge upgrade compared to my camera now. Finally, this past month I got to shoot I Don’t Know How But They Found Me, my favorite band.
That was a very full circle moment for me, and I am surprised at how much I’ve grown this past year, and I’m so ambitious and anxious to see where I am 5 years from now.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has not been a smooth road at all. I thought it was easy at first. I thought, “Oh! I can just bring my camera to some shows, and I can get photo passes to the others? Easy enough.” But I was very wrong.
It’s hard to be a photographer because you don’t get paid at first, and doing concert photography can cost more money than just regular photography.
I’m also working with a camera that isn’t exactly made for what I’m doing. However, this hasn’t stopped me. I think I’m proving that gear doesn’t matter too much, which is something I’m taking pride in for the moment. Hopefully I’ll get to move on from this stage soon though!
As for young women who are just starting their journey, I feel like I can’t say much because I am still one. However, if you want to do something badly enough, no matter what age you are, you can do it. You can start young, and even if you can’t jump completely into it, you can learn about it and start later.
I get some weird looks being in a photo pit as a 16-year-old girl with my little camera. Even just picking up my passes at the box office. I feel like I don’t belong constantly. Even some of my family doesn’t take what I’m doing seriously. But, I have to take that and let it not get in my head. I always remember why I’m there, and it’s to practice, learn, and get better. So with a mindset like that, anything is possible.
I also get very anxious, especially when shooting at a larger venue, or shooting a festival for the first time. That has been a large obstacle, but it’s just another thing where I have to ground myself, and remember that I’m there to learn. Nobody is expecting me to be a professional. Although they are expecting me to act professionally. There’s a huge difference between the two. Which is also why I feel like I’m constantly ‘faking it til’ I make it.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Brynn Evida Photography – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
A huge thing that sets me apart is my age. I’ve met one other girl my age doing what I’m doing, and it’s comforting to see things like that. I’m just proud that I’m doing this on my own, building my way up, making mistakes, and learning as I go. I’m proud that I’m starting so early.
Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well positioned for?
I feel like women are almost beginning to have an advantage in today’s society, and especially in the music industry. This is NOT always the case, believe me, I know the horror stories. However, many people are trying to incorporate women onto their teams for whatever type of job, simply to show that they support us. The focus has been turned on helping women and lifting them up and I think it’s finally starting to set hooks into society. Many new programs, schools, charities, etc. are constantly helping women get into different industries and I think that is something to be extremely proud of. Plus, females tend to be much more empathetic so that can really be beneficial in a career force dominated by men. I think that’s very important.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sites.google.com/view/brynn-evida-photography/about
- Email: brynneviephotography@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brynnevidaphotography/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/brynnevida
- Other: galaxy-mag.com/issues
Image Credit:
Brynn Edwards
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