As a child, I used to write my own stories and experiences in books. I always knew I wanted to tell stories to an audience, but something about it never felt fully fulfilling. Yes, I shared my story countless times through books that remain unseen, but a question lingered in my mind: What about everyone else? Who would write the stories of those who didn’t know how to tell their own? That’s when I realized I wanted to tell other people’s stories—whether through my photography or my writing.

But for years, I took no action. Then, everything changed when I attended a concert by a local band called Walking Blue. I was blown away by their performance, and all I wanted to do was capture the moment through photos and videos. In that instant, I knew I needed to stop waiting for something to come to me and start taking action. So, with no prior experience in concert photography—or even a passion for it—I approached them and asked if I could take photos at their next gig. They said yes, and I’m forever grateful to them for that. Soon after, I began shooting for other bands like Sauss, Widows, Caliber, and more.

This journey had its ups and downs. There were many times I questioned if I was good enough or wondered why I was doing this at all. I almost quit because I felt disconnected from what I was doing, but in reality, I was just afraid. As I delved deeper into the world of concert photography, the challenges and triumphs I faced helped shape my perspective and fueled my passion. Each gig, each interaction with a band or manager, and each captured moment added a new layer of depth to my understanding of storytelling through visuals.

Over time, I realized that my true passion was photography—not just for the sake of taking photos, but for experiencing music and capturing people's passion through my lens. As my portfolio grew and my connections within the local music scene expanded, I found myself drawn to a deeper realization: behind every melody, every lyric, every chord, lies a story waiting to be told.

It was during one of my editing sessions that inspiration struck. I imagined a newspaper-style layout for my photos, and in that moment, SoundShots was born, a platform dedicated to amplifying the voices and stories of local bands. Telling people’s stories is an art that requires continuous refinement. It’s about ensuring that those who cannot be seen are heard. My mission extends beyond mere documentation. It’s about shining a light on local bands doing what they love making music.

SoundShots isn’t just about the music; it’s about the shared human experience. From intimate acoustic sets to electrifying stadium performances, we aim to capture the essence of live music in all its raw, unfiltered glory. More importantly, we strive to foster a sense of community and connection among music enthusiasts, storytellers, and artists alike.

However, SoundShots didn’t stay alive long at first. After a couple of months, I’ll be honest I let life get in the way. Filled with doubt and overwhelmed by the pressures of college, I neglected my passions. I felt like something was missing, like there was a design aspect that didn’t feel right. I wasn’t truly connecting with my audience; it felt like I was talking to them, not with them. A year went by, and I fell behind on both my photography and writing. I became unmotivated, until earlier this year when my friend Benjy stepped in. He wanted to help revamp SoundShots. Our deal was simple—he would handle the design, and I would write. It played to both of our strengths. We spent months and countless hours refining it, transforming it into what it is today.

SoundShots is no longer just mine. It’s ours. There would have never been a SoundShots without Benjy. Now, it's ours to share with you. As Benjy and I discussed the future of the platform, we agreed we wanted to make it as community-based as possible. We want it to be interactive, a place where people can reach out and know that the music community is always welcoming. Music speaks to both of us and to so many others. Without it, there would be no safe space for countless people.

Music and journalism share one common thread: storytelling. Whether the stories are about friends, exes, family good or bad, music expresses experiences in a way that words alone cannot. Musicians capture their stories in a four-minute song, putting words into rhythm, melody, and beat. In the same way, SoundShots will tell the stories of local bands. It’s a passion I’ve held since I was a child. Through SoundShots, we’ll explore everything behind the scenes, from the managers and artists to the entire process of making an album.

I invite you to join us on this journey, to experience how music brings people together and tells their stories. Together, let’s celebrate the universal language of music and the timeless art of storytelling. Through SoundShots, may we continue to bridge the gap between dreams and reality one soundshot at a time.