For this month’s spotlight on a local snapper, we spoke to young photographer Reece Pinches to talk about starting out, his inspirations and upcoming projects.
Could you tell us a bit about yourself and how you first discovered photography? What motivates you to pick up a camera?
I’m a photographer in my final year at Sheffield Hallam University specialising in live music, tours and press! I have always been surrounded by music since a very young age, with my dad first getting me into learning guitar and also going to countless gigs with my mum. Attending a music college before university helped me develop my musical skill; however, this is where I started to get more into photography too. With bands playing around York every week, I would go down to the venues and get in with my camera, which in turn started to create and develop my network of bands, promoters and managers.
When I started university during Covid, there were no gigs I could get up and go to, which really put a stop to my motivation. But during this time, I worked with the Leadmill and opened up my own photography studio with my friend, Tom, called Studio Six where we created our own business. This had a great start and regenerated and expanded my network, reigniting my passion for taking photos. Once gigs started to come back, I ended up working as an in-house photographer for a venue, working with over 100 bands. Being exposed to so many different band from around the world, and from so many different genres, helped me to expand my knowledge on music even more. Since then, I have worked for a number of big clients including Red Bull, Porsche and Hugo Boss. Capturing the essence and vibe of the show is my main motivation.
Are there any photographers or artists that inspire you creatively?
There are so many photographers I am inspired by from all over the world! The best way I get to see their work is over on Instagram. Everyday, I see their photos, from small pub gigs to the huge arena and stadium shows. Recently, I have been really admiring Jay Whitehead’s work (@jay.mov); her photography and experience of touring with huge bands really inspires me.
Another person is Sam Corcoran (@samcorphotos), whose press and clubnight photos are amazing! The bold, contrasting colours married with the subtle haze of the venue really stand out.
Has your style evolved much since starting out?
Definitely! The results from the first shows I photographed were rubbish! Over time and through university I have managed to find my own unique style and eye for how I want my photos to be. I love bold, contrasty colours as they really document the vibe in the room at the time. A little bit of motion tops it all off to show the speed and energy from the artists.
Live photography is a big part of your repertoire. What is your favourite type of gig to shoot?
My favourite type of gigs are big venues with huge lighting rigs. I’ve been working lots with Albert Hall in Manchester for the past year or so; the artists that come to that venue have some incredible lighting shows. I recently shot Bakar there and, even though it was only him on stage, the lighting was amazing. I also shot one of my favourite artists, EDEN, there in February and it was the best produced live show I have ever seen!
How do you adapt your approach to accommodate various photography genres, such as transitioning from portrait sessions to live shoots?
I approach each shoot differently, observing the surroundings of wherever I shoot. I try to find something unique to add to the photos, whether it be a spotlight behind the artist at a gig or a multicolored wall on a location press shoot. It’s always really hard to take photos in the same places, but everyone has different personalities and energy so I try to focus on capturing that instead of the background.
You’re releasing a book this year, ICYMI (In Case You Missed It), showcasing your documentary photography. Could you tell us a bit about what you tried to explore with this collection of images?
The idea of this book originally came from a university project last year. As I do quite a bit of photography with music, I decided to not work with the music side of things for my university projects and challenge myself with some genres out of my comfort zone. ICYMI is a collection of documentary photos taken in London, Paris, Brussels and Krakow. These photos document my time there and act almost as a group of postcards to show others who have not visited these locations before, giving them a “wish you were there” feeling. I really like working physically with my images so printing them and getting them in my hands feels so much better rather than seeing them on Instagram once and never seeing them again.
What advice would you give to aspiring photographers who are looking to refine their craft and find their own style?
I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today without talking to people. Talk to absolutely everyone (even if it’s a merch seller at a gig!), you never know who has links with who and who might find you in the future. I would also very much start with working with new bands and small venues as, again, you never know what will come of it. The band may get a huge support slot and ask you to go with them, or the venue may have a world famous artist do an intimate show there and you might be invited back. I can’t stress how talking to everyone has helped me develop not just my photography skills but my life skills in general.
Also, print your work! I have been able to look at my own work in a new way and develop it more from holding it physically in my hand. I absolutely hate it when my photos end up on Instagram and nothing else, so I print as much as I can, even if it’s just a little postcard size print I keep in a box. It just holds so much more than a single digital copy.
