Hunter Lied (Delaware) |
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First State Studios had the pleasure of interviewing the young but uniquely talented, Hunter Lied. Hunter is heavily involved in the music scene and captures the energy and personality of musicians on and off stage. Motivated by his own work, the freelance photographer continues to push himself towards an end goal of touring with an artist to capture candid moments that can last longer then their set on stage.
What was the first concert you ever went to and what was it like?
My first concert I ever attended was the band, Casting Crowns. My grandparents got tickets for the family and I went with them not knowing one bit of what to expect. I do not remember much of it besides the fact that it was in a local civic center and that I thought it was a big deal to meet the drummer of the band after the show. |
What was the first concert you ever photographed?
The story behind the first concert I was able to shoot photos for is pretty cool. My friend Jon Wyatt and I attended Uprise Festival in Shippensburg, PA. I snuck my camera in (no professional cameras were allowed), and started shooting the artists from the crowd. Granted we were probably a good 20 feet away from the Hip Hop stage, I still shot what I could from where I was standing. Gawvi was the first artist that I shot followed by Canon. After these two artists opened the show, I exported some photos which I thought were dope straight to my Lightroom Mobile app.
I edited them quick, and decided I was going to leave my spot in the crowd to go and show an artist what I was capable of and see if I could get a pass to get backstage/pit access. Standing along the barricades on the side for about 15 minutes, I see FERN of Social Club Misfits. I had a solid connection with them from being a fan and attending most of their shows that came to the area, so he already knew who I was. We caught up on life, and I pulled my phone out to show him what I had shot just a few minutes ago. I asked if there was any way I could get an artist pass and shoot for them, and he replied something along the lines of, “Yeah man, we need you back here. Let me go find you a pass”. Their DJ ends up tearing his ‘Artist’ wristband off, and gives it to FERN to hand over to me. FERN hands it to me and tells me to just keep it in my pocket and if there is any issues to grab him and he will clear it with security. This was literally the start of my freelance concert photography. Following Gawvi, Canon, and Social Club Misfits, I also got to shoot photos for Tedashii, KB, and headliner, Andy Mineo.
The story behind the first concert I was able to shoot photos for is pretty cool. My friend Jon Wyatt and I attended Uprise Festival in Shippensburg, PA. I snuck my camera in (no professional cameras were allowed), and started shooting the artists from the crowd. Granted we were probably a good 20 feet away from the Hip Hop stage, I still shot what I could from where I was standing. Gawvi was the first artist that I shot followed by Canon. After these two artists opened the show, I exported some photos which I thought were dope straight to my Lightroom Mobile app.
I edited them quick, and decided I was going to leave my spot in the crowd to go and show an artist what I was capable of and see if I could get a pass to get backstage/pit access. Standing along the barricades on the side for about 15 minutes, I see FERN of Social Club Misfits. I had a solid connection with them from being a fan and attending most of their shows that came to the area, so he already knew who I was. We caught up on life, and I pulled my phone out to show him what I had shot just a few minutes ago. I asked if there was any way I could get an artist pass and shoot for them, and he replied something along the lines of, “Yeah man, we need you back here. Let me go find you a pass”. Their DJ ends up tearing his ‘Artist’ wristband off, and gives it to FERN to hand over to me. FERN hands it to me and tells me to just keep it in my pocket and if there is any issues to grab him and he will clear it with security. This was literally the start of my freelance concert photography. Following Gawvi, Canon, and Social Club Misfits, I also got to shoot photos for Tedashii, KB, and headliner, Andy Mineo.
I see you power lift? That's pretty extreme. What is that like and how/why did you get into that?
Powerlifting is a whole new dimension. You honestly have to participate in it to even understand it. From the outside it looks like people randomly lifting heavy weights for 1 rep in a competition for absolutely no reason. Once you’ve trained for a 12 week cycle leading up to a competition, competed, and hit all of the goals/numbers you wanted to hit, then one would understand the sport of powerlifting. Setting goals for yourself and spending 2-3 hours a day, for 5 days a week in the gym and finally hitting them is the most rewarding feeling. It grows self discipline, character, and your own work ethic. I got into it from just exercising at my local gym. |
I saw this guy in there, Tyheim. He has one leg, a prosthetic on the other from above the knee down, and I acknowledged his work ethic. It lead to a whole conversation about how him and his brother got hit (RIP Meir), and we became lifting friends from that point. He said that he wanted to focus on strength rather than just body building (looks). We agreed to switch training styles, and ended up getting a coach to train us for powerlifting still to this day. I have personally competed three times, while Tyheim has competed two times. I compete in the Full Power (squat, bench, deadlift), and Tyheim competes in the Push/Pull (bench and deadlift) for now since he is on one leg.
Have you ever met any of the artists you capture? Can you give names of whom you have captured thus far into your career?
I have met many of the artists that I have been able to capture, almost all of them. Lecrae, my favorite artist, has been the most inspirational to me and I am grateful to say that we have connected multiple times in person whether it be before or after a show/tour stop. To this day I have captured photos of: Lecrae, Andy Mineo, Trip Lee, KB, Gawvi, 1K Phew, WHATUPRG, Tedashii, Loso, Th3 Saga, Byron Juane, Nobigdyl., J Paul, Aha Gazelle, Aaron Cole, Angie Rose, Hawk Nelson, Bethel Music, Hollyn, Hillsong Young & Free, Tobymac, Jordan Feliz, Social Club Misfits, Canon, Derek Minor, Steven Malcolm, and more.
I have met many of the artists that I have been able to capture, almost all of them. Lecrae, my favorite artist, has been the most inspirational to me and I am grateful to say that we have connected multiple times in person whether it be before or after a show/tour stop. To this day I have captured photos of: Lecrae, Andy Mineo, Trip Lee, KB, Gawvi, 1K Phew, WHATUPRG, Tedashii, Loso, Th3 Saga, Byron Juane, Nobigdyl., J Paul, Aha Gazelle, Aaron Cole, Angie Rose, Hawk Nelson, Bethel Music, Hollyn, Hillsong Young & Free, Tobymac, Jordan Feliz, Social Club Misfits, Canon, Derek Minor, Steven Malcolm, and more.
How long have you been practicing photography and what's your end goal look like?
I got my first “real” camera in 2016. I started taking photography seriously at that point, and it has taken off from there. My end goal is to tour with an artist and be able to capture all of the candid moments for them while they are on and off stage. Being a concert photographer is dope because you get to capture memories for the artist that will last more than just a couple hours on a tour stop.
I got my first “real” camera in 2016. I started taking photography seriously at that point, and it has taken off from there. My end goal is to tour with an artist and be able to capture all of the candid moments for them while they are on and off stage. Being a concert photographer is dope because you get to capture memories for the artist that will last more than just a couple hours on a tour stop.
Lastly, if you had to live off of the same meal everyday for the rest of your life what meal would that be?
One meal for the rest of my life would get old very fast, but if it was mandatory I am going straight to a Chick Fil A sandwich meal. Upgrade the fry to a large, sweet tea for the drink, and Chick Fil A sauce for the sandwich.
One meal for the rest of my life would get old very fast, but if it was mandatory I am going straight to a Chick Fil A sandwich meal. Upgrade the fry to a large, sweet tea for the drink, and Chick Fil A sauce for the sandwich.
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