Before I get straight into talking about the two photos in today’s “Behind the Photo” story, I want to share the exciting update’s that have been happening, and how mind blowing it is that one event can trigger a ripple effect of great proportions.
On Monday April 3rd 2023, I had known that the magazine I was going to be featured in (True Northwest Magazine), was dropping their Spring Issue. What I didn’t know, was how many of my photos were going to be used, and that it would span across four pages. Finally seeing my images in a magazine hit me hard, but in the best way, to the point of feeling in aw and pretty damn surreal. I was so happy to have achieved a goal in such a short amount of time, and I almost can’t think of what should come next.
That same day, I was told that the photos for El Mariachi (the local restaurant my photos will be displayed at in May) were read to be picked up from the printers, moving the preparations for the Featured Artist wall along nicely. To top off the whole day, one of the coordinators for Going All City (the graffiti group I shot for last year) contacted me, telling me that the City of Everett finally purchased “The Lost Mural”, a print I donated to raise money for the second event (the print I donated was also the largest one I’ve made to date, 62” x 23”), and will be hung up in the Everett Library when finished getting framed. My emotions right now are pulverized, I’m at such a state of being happy, I don’t think there’s a good enough word to described it.
So now I need to go back just a little bit, because thinking on it, I’ve realized that a lot of the opportunities I’ve been given can be traced back to singular events. Although I could talk about all of them, I’ll save most of them for another time, and just talk about the most prevalent one to this story.
It really should start out with a question, “how did I get into being featured in a magazine, AND at a restaurant?” Which is pretty easy (a bit long to write out, but easy) to answer.
August 6th 2022 I went to go meet up with a buddy of mine for a beer at a local taproom. Unfortunately for him, he hit some traffic and was going to be late. Fortunately for me, I spotted a graffiti mural being worked on, and so I told my buddy “No worries man, I’m going to go check something out, and I’ll see you when you get here”. That was the rock hitting the water, causing a ripple effect that is still happening today.
Since that day, I’ve met countless graffiti artist, met the coordinators of Going All City, shot “The Lost Mural”, was asked to be the event photographer for Going All City, shot multiple events, networked with Local Magazine Creators and shop owners at those events, shot “The Vicious Return”, printed and donated my work to the coordinators and artists, started following and talking with the magazine creator, Asked If I Could Be A Part Of The Magazine, and ended (so far) with making it into said magazine. Ripple, upon ripple, upon ripple.
Now how does the restaurant fit in to those ripples? That’s a pretty simple answer as well, but has more to do with coincidence. El Mariachi just so happened to be a food truck that would frequent my work, and quickly became my favorite place to eat. It also happens to be a favorite of the magazine creator, and we both follow them on Instagram. To save from an even longer story, the magazine creator posted about El Mariachi having a Featured Artist wall, I asked El Mariachi if I could be a part of it, and because they’ve been following me as well on Instagram, they said they’d love to hang my work up. NONE of which would have happened if I hadn’t met the magazine creator at the second graffiti event, that I wouldn’t have been a part of if my buddy hadn’t been late, causing me to go check out that first graffiti mural.
There should also be a lesson in there, ALWAYS CARRY YOUR CAMERA WHEN YOU CAN, because you never know what one small event can do. Now, let’s get into the Behind the Photo section shall we?
“Midnight Post / Downhill Distraction”
Two photos taken on the same night (December 29th 2022), within a few feet from each other (directly across the street, and next to Pike Place Market in Seattle), and what I love most about them is their differences.
Midnight Post was taken a little over 15 minutes before Downhill Distraction, and I love how calm (almost eerie) the whole image feels. Empty street, in the middle of the night, but so full of life from the sign lights giving off their warm glow. Then there’s Downhill Distraction, more of an open feel, more light throughout the image (making it feel more bright than the last), with a subject to give the viewer something to settle their eyes on (even though the subject is distracted and solo, they still make the image feel more comforting and alive). Like I said, I love both of these images for how different they are, and it’s an awesome example of the multitudes of things you can capture without having to go very far. But, these images almost didn’t happen at all, that whole night almost didn’t happen.
Earlier that day, I’d felt in a funk, as I normally do when I’m over stressed. It was my other half that suggested I get my ass out of the house, and go shoot to clear my head. So I said sure, what the hell, and even came up with the idea of asking my two favorite photographer friends to go out with me (something we hadn’t done since the beginning of 2022). At first they were a little apprehensive, but eventually said the same thing I did “what the hell, why not”.
We made our way down to Seattle, walked around Pike Place, and came back with a ton of great shots, but most importantly we had a blast just being together like we normally do. Now I’m not saying that if it weren’t for my friends going with me I wouldn’t have gotten these shots, or something similar. But I do feel like the best photos I’ve ever come away with, always seem to be when I try NOT to capture something, when I just let fate happen and let the ripples roll from there. Nothing but fun came from that night, and if fun is all that ever comes from that night, then I succeeded beyond measure. I can’t thank my friends enough for helping me along the way (if they’re aware of it or not), Brandon, Chelsea, and Krissy I appreciate your parts in this photography journey, more than you’ll ever know.
As always, I hope you’re enjoying these posts and the photos I attach to them. If you’d like to continue this, or any other conversation, I’d love to talk with you and take inspiration for future writings. Feel free to email me at grimlockmedia@gmail.com
If you like to watch any of the videos related to my photography journey, check out my YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@grimlockmedia
Catch y’all later.
Andrew Hoyle - Grimlock Media
