Today we’d like to introduce you to Christopher Vergara.
Hi Christopher, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I took photography in high school as an easy class for credit, but I never took it seriously until I went to college. I studied at the Southeast Center of Photographic Studies at Daytona State College. When I started college I was more into what is called Urban Decay Photography, so like run down buildings, alleyways, etc. I later started taking my point and shoot camera to shows and then once I got a decent camera I started asking music labels if I could shoot some of there bands coming to town and they would put me on the list to shoot. Around the end of 2012, right around the time I graduate, I became friends with the music producer Cameron Mizell (known for recording bands like Oceana, Sleeping With Sirens, Memphis May Fire, etc) and started making connection and developing friendships with bands. At the beginning of 2014 I got asked to go on tour and was working for a band called Capture The Crown. I later started touring and working for other bands until around April of 2016 when we found out we were having a baby girl and then in 2020 we had a baby boy. So my touring life has been on pause since 2016 and have been more focused on my family. I still shoot for bands whether it’s video or photo, promos, social media, music videos, etc. I mainly stay in FL unless I’m hired out of state which happens every now and then.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
For the most part it has been a smooth ride. I think the biggest obstacle for me was probably putting my touring on hold. I miss it, it’s a wild experience but family will always come first I wouldnt trade them for anything. Also I think during the pandemic was tough as well because no shows were happening at all and when they started coming back all the festivals you used to be able to get approved to shoot are now harder to get approved for if approved at all along with other concerts. Sometimes I figure out a way though.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My specialty is live concerts. I love everything about it because you never know what you’re gunna get and each experience is different whether bad or good. Not to mention I am a music fanatic so to see live shows and get to photograph it is a feel is that are in that photo pit know about. I feel like every concert photographer has their own style, we can each take the same shot at the same time and each one being different and amazing. The thing I like to do is take the shot at a different angle not just vertical or horizontal, it could be at a slant or at an angle that shows a lil more dimension rather than just straight flat onto a specific subject.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was a 90’s kid haha that should say it all! I was outgoing, fearless, down for anything. I skated, played little league baseball, watched Saturday morning cartoons, roamed through goodwills (my mother is an avid thrifter that’s handed that trait down to me lol). I loved and still love collecting Pokemon cards and playing video games while blasting Nu Metal only difference is I get to enjoy it all now with my kids lol.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ISHOOTINTHEFRONT.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisvphoto
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChrisVPhotoFL
Image Credits
@ChrisVPhoto Christopher Vergara
