Today we’d like to introduce you to Ty Mullins.
Hi Ty, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I started out photography in high school. I liked playing around on my family camera, just going to farmers markets and getting shots of flowers and the scenery of Little Italy. This led into me pursing photography more for my high school yearbook and taking some film and digital photography classes. Learning about film photography really lit my fire, and I dived deep my senior year of high school and my first year of college, learning how to shoot and develop my own film. I had some amazing teachers and professors who helped push me to follow my passion and I started taking photos for couples and graduation photos for friends and family. However, music was always my goal. I loved live music and always wanted to take live music photos. After several years of doing couples photos, weddings, portraits, and product photography, I decided to narrow my focus to live music photography, and that is when I started to see some growth both personally and in my work. Here I am now, working with a small music publication in San Diego, doing what I love and refining my passion!
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has been rough for sure! I was told a lot starting out that I need to find a passion that will actually bring me profit. I have even had bosses at my earlier jobs straight out tell me I should just give up. There’s also the issue with equipment. Photography equipment is anything but cheap, and live music conditions are famously not friendly for the camera. A big learning moment with shooting and develop film is pushing the tools you do have access to. This was a huge drive for me. I really learned how to make the most out of what I have, and I have been fortunate enough to have a job and friends and family who encouraged me and supported my passion as well.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I would classify myself as a live music and creative portrait photographer. I specialize in capturing movement and color in my work. I have always loved long exposure, so I try and utilize that a lot to capture the musical act on stage moving around or the movement of the crowd to make really compelling, interesting work. I have always loved bright contrasting colors and that will also shine through in my work. I have leaned more into creative portraiture and trying to capture the essence of a music act or band off the stage as well. I am most proud of the growth I have made in the last year. I only started shooting live music in March of 2023, and now I work with a publication and have taken photos at nearly every venue in San Diego!
What matters most to you?
What matters to me most is pursuing what makes you happy! I was tired of hearing people tell me how difficult it is to make a profit. I have had so much joy from getting to listen to live music while doing something I really love. I have also grown such a cool community of people to work with, and other creatives in the area that being involved in the live music scene has only continued to inspire me to be more creative over the years.
Contact Info:
- Website: tyfox.photography
- Instagram: @tyfoxphoto
Image Credits
Ty Fox Photo
