Today we’d like to introduce you to Holly Kite.
Hi Holly, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, how can you bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
When I was young, my grandfather always had a camera in his hand. He’s documented every moment, big or small. He shared his love of photography with me from a very young age. Some of my favorite memories are looking through his albums and hearing the stories behind all the people in the photos. Learning my family’s history through my grandfather’s lens made me realize how much impact a photograph can have. I started documenting my life with disposable cameras and a myriad of 35mm point shoots. When I was 17, I bought my first digital camera and developed a love of hardcore music.
I grew up in a rural part of northeast Missouri, so I branched out on Myspace and made friends in the surrounding areas that were also into the scene; they also happened to be in bands. I would go to their gigs and take photos. After graduating high school, I moved to Columbia to complete my bachelor’s degree in graphic design with a minor in photography. At this point, I knew that concert photography was something I wanted to pursue. I loved sharing how I experienced a show and my unique ability to capture someone in their element. In 2017, I landed my first big photo pass at The Pageant for my favorite band, Circa Survive. It affirmed my passion. I continued photographing all I could at notable Columbia venues and festivals to build a portfolio of creditable work over the next three years. Then the pandemic hit. I faced many life changes and needed a change of scenery with more opportunities. So I made a move to St. Louis. It took me a long time to get out to a show, but I was kindly invited to photograph a local show at Sinkhole last summer. That snowballed into other bands booking me, which opened up doors for larger venues and touring acts. I recently became a contributor for The Arts STL, which is opening up many really cool doors for 2023!
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Some parts have been smoother than others. Other than the usual obstacles of being creative, like developing a personal style and getting gigs, I’ve dealt with sexism and harassment. Most recently, I had my shirt tugged on for a stranger’s attention while in the photo pit and was told, “I only get photo passes because of my looks.” It’s still a big issue for many women in the concert photography scene.
Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us a bit more about your work.
I’m a creative director with a concentration in graphic design and photography. By day I work on strategic communications through media, and by night I photograph concerts. With concert photography, I specialize in utilizing available light and color grading. This has allowed me to develop a truly unique and consistent editing style. When shooting a show, I try to find the rhythm of the musicians for an “in-the-moment” shot that feels more intentional. This makes me proud of the images I create, as they evoke a viewer to consider the concert experience versus what it looked like.
We’d like to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
I don’t believe in luck. Bad things happen all the time for absolutely no reason. Good things happen because they’ve been worked hard for. It’s all a part of our human experience. I’m just glad to be here.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hakite.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/hakite
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ha_kite
Image Credits
Portrait by Luca Torretta, all other images by Holly Kite
