We had the good fortune of connecting with Alicia Hauff and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alicia, why did you pursue a creative career?
I’ve always been more creative and find most joy in it and being my own boss. I worked in animal shelters and vet clinics for awhile before learning to become a dog groomer which was nice and had that creativity aspect still but I wanted to go back to photography, which was something I had fallen in love with in my youth. As a teen I remember I spent all my money I had saved up to take to a Zumiez couch tour to shoot Coheed and Cambria and I would sneak my camera into Warped Tour and Ozzfests and would do work for bands that needed stuff.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I try to keep my work my own and recognizable. Most people tell me they know an image is by me when an artist posts it because of my color grading techniques. Which is always an amazing thing to hear, to be recognizable enough without seeing a name.

Running a business is hard though and being in the music industry can be hard. I started my business officially almost ten years ago now. And started doing the music side about 6/7 years ago. I started at the bottom with no one to guide me and zero connections. It was all done solely on determination and hard work.
I had gotten pretty sick for awhile and would sit in the hospital needing something to look forward to. I originally had seen another photographer at a show one time that awakened the spark and desire to do what I did as a teen again. But it wasn’t really until I realized life is too short to not follow your dreams and passions and looked forward to the day I could hit the ground running. I’ve had a variety of derailments in my business since I started it though that should of completely broke me but I’ve held strong to continue on, including having $30,000 dollars in gear stolen out of a trailer at a festival in Long Beach in 2022 which did nearly break and spiraled me into a depression of sorts although many artists and friends rallied around me in the moment and lifted me up which I am forever grateful for it was a very hard year after for me. But also dealing with slumlords taking a ton of money while renting a studio the same year. But I’ve had to believe that everything happens for a reason and there is better on the other side of the terrible moments. Sometimes it just feels like it’s always something while owning a business. But also just the constant pressure to keep doing more and bigger things and trying to stay relevant in a saturated field that for the most part is undervalued when you think of how many hours and the price of gear and wear and tear on it that goes into the field and most always say they are on a tight budget and aren’t able to pay your prices. They always say to work in the music industry you have to be a little crazy and really resilient. Which I find is true. But there is something I absolutely love about it and can’t imagine not doing it, capturing people, emotions, the movement, productions, the slow moments in between and backstage. To promos and magazine features. It’s exciting and fun to be able to share space with so many talented people. When I first started it was in small clubs, and now I have the opportunity to work on giant stages in front of thousands of people. While I still would like to continue to grow and work bigger productions and with more bigger names I’m incredibly thankful for everyone that’s let me be apart of the show or crew. And anyone that’s ever hired me for any shoot honestly.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I go between Washington and LA, so a couple of my favorite spots for lunch in LA or around are probably Sage Bistro in Culver City, Nicolas Eatery in Malibu. I’d probably take them to Sky bar or Perch one of the nights to see the buildings lit up and Goodtimes at Davey Wayne’s or The Rainbow, maybe El Compadres depending on the mood of the trip. Maybe catch a show if something was in town at The Forum or one of the many amazing other venues. Maybe go to Redondo Beach, or Griffith park. Hike Runyon. Honestly so many things could be done.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shoutout to every client who has hired me for their business, family or music needs, every friend, and every stranger that’s clapped for me along my journey. To the people that mention my names in rooms when I’m not there. Every management team that’s brought me on for their artists and entrusted me with their images for press and magazine covers. Shoutout to every person who has ever had something bad to say or didn’t believe in me and told me I wouldn’t make it this far, for helping me push more and prove them wrong. And most importantly to my children, and the push to show them to follow your dreams and for being my biggest fans always.

Website: Info@aliciahauffphotography.com

Instagram: @ahpconcerts @aliciahauffphotography

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/aliciahauff

Twitter: Aliciaahauff

Facebook: Www.Facebook.com/aliciahauff

Youtube: @aliciahauff

Other: Tik Tok @ahpconcerts

Image Credits
Justin Bradley Carlo Michael

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