Meet Brian Alvarado | Concert photographer

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

Hi Brian, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
To be honest, I sort of stumbled upon the idea of becoming a concert photographer. I originally chose to become a journalist, and was actually targeting more sports. But when I joined the Daily Titan (Cal State Fullerton’s student newspaper) in 2018, I ended up taking a position as the assistant lifestyle editor, which covers arts and entertainment. I remember sifting through my email and seeing a pitch to cover a a Ty Dolla Sign concert. Only problem was I was only able to secure one photo pass and one ticket, meaning I had to shoot the photos. Mind you, at this time I had little-to-no experience behind the lens.

I just remember pulling up that night to The Observatory in Santa Ana, Calif., and being allowed into that photo pit for the first time. It was pretty unconventional in the fact that I didn’t know what to expect, and seeing the other photographers in the pit truly intimidated for me. And yeah, my photos were pretty bad that night, I have to admit, But seeing some of the shots other photographers came out with that night motivated me to pursue shooting concerts more. It opened my eyes to a whole different type of photography I’d not known before. And I’m not just talking about the feeling of being able to create content shooting some of my favorite artists, but the atmosphere you feel being that up close to a performer, or being able to capture a moment in time that’ll never be recreated is a feeling that can’t be replicated.

Since that night, I’ve been shooting concerts and festivals ever since. I’ve been able to shoot countless numbers \artists from Wiz Khalifa and Vince Staples, to those who aren’t with us any longer such as Juice WRLD and Mac Miller. I’m hoping some day to eventually go on tour and shoot directly for an artist.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As I mentioned in a previous question, concert photography found me. It took me taking a job at the school newspaper to open the flood gates, and discover this type of photography. I think what sets me apart from others is that I really try to steer away from what’s “normal.” I want people to look at my photos and think, “Wow, this is more than just a typical photo of a rapper with a mic in his hand.” I want to be able to capture energy from an artist, and transfer it on to anybody who might be looking at that photo on whatever platform it is.

I’m most excited about how much I’ll progress in the years to come. I’m definitely not where I want to be, but to be able to do this full time is something I’m striving for. It’s been four years since I started shooting concerts, and I feel like I still learn something new after each and every show. Of course, there are still times where I can’t get into the shows I want, but persistence has been key. You’ll have your wins and losses, but it’s important to remind yourself it’s how you bounce back that’ll define you. And I’m a big believer in karma. If you know you’re putting in the work, the world will have a way to reward you for that.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The Los Angeles metro area, including Orange County, is a hot spot for live music. You can count on a concert happening virtually every night. But a few venues that are a must are: -The Novo in DTLA (one of the more active and modern venues in the city)
-The Shrine Expo and Auditorium Hall (it’s an older venue near USC, but this is where the bigger shows will typically happen)
-The Roxy (Just a classic, timeless venue that’s seen decades of shows. When I hear its name, I experience a sense of nostalgia).
-The Observatory in OC (If you want to get away from the craziness of LA, this venue is great for more intimate interactions with the artist. It’s small enough to where you can get real close, but large enough to still hold a good amount of people).
-House of Blues Anaheim (This venue is right next to Disneyland, and just like many of the HOB’s out there, its functionality and modern traits make it a great spot to see a concert).

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?
My time in concert photography has been short, but there are so many people I’ve met along the way, it’s hard to pinpoint just one thing. First and foremost, I have to attribute the success I’ve found to my parents, my best friend, and my girlfriend. Being in college when I started, acquiring camera gear was virtually impossible. I’d always use to rent gear, but once I graduated, My best friend since kindergarten Shawn Berg bought me a new body, while my parents put in to get me a nice lens. I’ve been using the same rig ever since.

My girlfriend has been my rock for seven years and has been so supportive of me pursuing this career. It’s not the easiest, and can get stressful at times, but to have somebody rooting for you (and even with you at the concerts at times) really helps me push through when I might be having a tough night.

As far as other photographers in the industry that inspired on this journey, I’d have to point to Joseph Baura (@j.baura). I remember meeting him at one of the first concerts I shot (Playboi Carti before he was a vampire), and I can vividly remember to seeing his Instagram for the first time. He had so many shows under his belt, and the way he shot was something that caught my eye. And of course, he’s always got the best advice when I got a question. To see him grow into what he’s become today, shooting concerts left and right and even shooting for the LA Rams is an inspiration in and of itself.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visualsnipe/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-austin-alvarado/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/visualsnipe

Image Credits
All credits to me: Brian Alvarado/@visualsnipe