The First Beat: How my journey in concert photography started

To understand the future, you have to know the past. Just like most crazy ideas, this one started with a late night conversation on the couch with a friend…

In September of 2023 that exact thing happened. I had become entwined with a group of local musicians who formed a band called “The Supply Chain” a Pop/Punk & Emo band who’s set list was straight out of the Warped Tour era.

Consisting of Lead Vocalist, Josh Rodriguez, Chris Ryals (Bass), project creator Gary Schutt (Guitar/Vocals), & Jason Lawrence (Drums). one night after a show me and Josh were talking about ways for this new project to gain new heights. They had the experience, the knowledge, and the showmanship on stage. But a major factor was missing… media material.

Just like everyone else I was taking pictures with my phone. It wasn’t the best material, but it was still a glimpse into what this group of local musicians produced on stage.

Then, Josh said something that changed the whole path way.

“Bro, you should get a camera!”

“You already come to the shows, bring the camera, learn to use it by photographing us. It’s a win/win!”

He wasn’t wrong! So, I started my search for a some what professional camera on market place, and did whatever I could to learn the In’s & Out of digital photography.

Over the next couple years, my friendship with TSC became more like a brotherhood. I became the “5th member” playing a vital role to what the band evolved into today.

3 tours across Georgia, North Carolina, Alabama, and around Florida. Packed out venues and historic stages we all seen our music idols perform on and my first award all came from working with them, eventually leading to other local bands across Tampa bay seeing me out to photograph them.

The hobby, quickly turned into something much more. I was guest listed by support bands to major national names. Became friends with Scotty Austin & Peter Dante.

Sought out by local publications and now…. I’m photographing some of the most legendary names in pop culture and music history as a venue resident.

I owe a lot to Josh, Gary, Chris & Jason. Being a concert photographer is so much more than showing up and taking pictures. It’s knowing the stage, reading the crowd, networking, and development of an image to stand out amongst the masses.

And when the fire dwindled with doubt, they were there to dump gasoline on it and strike the match to continue! I will forever be grateful for them being my gateway in photography and the music scene many said I wouldn’t succeed in at the start.

without them, I’d just be a guy with a camera. Because of them I became “BrewHa The Photog”.