Interview: Rachael Olmstead.

Here' an interview I recently did with Fresno photopgrapher Rachael Olmstead. The reason I interviewed Rachael is because she has photographed several local bands here in town. Since the Q&A pretty much speaks for itself, let's get on with it, shall we?

Interviewed by Mitchell Peters.

Mitch on Speed: Before we get started, I want to tell everyone that you and your husband, Jason, are very cool people. I was at your house once, and I saw some Venus magazines laying around. In my book, that makes you cool. Anyway... What first got you interested in photography?

Rachael Olmstead: Funny that you mention coming to my house. I was just thinking the other day – with the holidays coming up and all – how many random people have been in and out of there for get togethers and after parties and what not.

I guess I've always been interested in the creative. I did a lot of drawing and painting growing up, and my dad was a hobbiest photographer. He bought me a Polaroid when I was pretty young. I always loved taking photos, though it wasn't something that was ever focused on until recently. I have always dabbled in different things – art, music, crafts – but never really enjoyed and wanted to pursue something as much as photography.

My current camera came around about six years ago, but it wasn’t until about two years ago when I started to think about taking photography more seriously.

Have you had any formal education in photography, or have you pretty much learned on your own?

Pretty much on my own. I took a beginning photo class at Pasadena City College right out of high school but, like all my other classes that semester, it was dropped half way through. The only thing I even sort of remember from then is dark room stuff, which I don’t even use now.

But there is so much more I want to learn. I like the idea of approaching it like a science. But when it really comes down to it, all I have on my side is the art. I really like the idea of pursuing it in the long run to grow in terms of what can be done technically and artistically.

OK, let's get to the good stuff. I know you're involved with many different photo projects, but let's stick to the music stuff. What was the first Fresno band you photographed?

I would have to say that I think one of the first Fresno bands I photographed was probably (live) Montecore or Gypsy Cab about two years ago. Photographing bands just sort of grew out of the fact that we were going to shows and my friends were playing and I had this camera and was sort of interested in photography and I thought it would be cool to document it for them as well as learn in the process.

In terms of "press" photos my first ones were last summer when Shannon Hunter and myself photographed No Cello for their press kits.

Do you prefer taking live shots of bands or stills? Why?

Tough question. If you would have asked me a year ago, I probably would have said live. But now I would have to say stills.

There are too many variables with live shots – mostly crappy lighting. So there is this fine dance between camera settings and film and positioning, and watching when the best time to shoot the band. Sometimes it just takes all the fun out of a show that I’d rather be watching or dancing! But the nice thing about live photos is the excitement of shooting stuff as it is happening. Catching random stage antics and the swoop of an arm across a guitar can be very rewarding.

Recently, I was very happy with some of the photos taken at the Fresno Famous QUIET! Thanksgiving benefit show. The lighting was perfect, and the music and crowd were both great.

Stills are fun because you get to work one on one with people, rather than just watching from a distance and waiting for a shot. You have much more control over the environment and, in terms of learning, you can see progression. I also like working with people in general. Many people don’t like having their photo taken. To be able to make them feel comfortable and provide something that will hopefully benefit them is also really rewarding.

As a music journalist, I've received many band press kits. Within those packages, there's usually a promo/publicity photo of the band. Many of them are cheesy. Is it a struggle not be totally cliché when photographing a band?

Luckily (or unluckily!) I have little to do with how the actual press kit actually comes out. I always find it interesting to see the photos that are used in press kits and reviews. It is not that hard to avoid cliché because really there are so many different things you can do with a band and a photo.

You had something on your blog a while back about advertising in magazines or something and, maybe I’m from the old school, but I still read music magazines. I read online stuff too, but magazines get you off of the computer, which we all need to do more. I like looking at press photos and ads. If something catches my eye in terms of an image I am more likely to follow up on a band. So I think having a good photo really is important in presenting a band.

I've heard that photographing bands by a railroad track and against a brick wall are a HUGE no no. What's your take on that?

The funny thing about that though is that bands will state that. And while I'm aware of it, you’d be surprised how often things like pop up during a shoot without being aware of it. For some of the Rademacher photos I took this spring in downtown Fresno, we ended up taking a few shots near some old railroad tracks without even really noticing that is what we are doing.

And just the other day, I was taking Sparklejet photos. Towards the end of the shoot, we ended up under these floodlights with this cool cement tile stuff. When I got the photos back, I realized they were in front of a brick wall and a chain link fence. So I think actively not pursuing those types of shots is important, but it is funny when they sort of happen on accident.

When approaching a band photo project, how do you decide where the setting will be? Do you try to match the photo with the style of music the band plays, or does it depend on the members' individual personalities? Does this question make sense?

The question does make sense. But I don’t really have an answer! It’s always hard to decide where to shoot. I usually let the band take the lead on where they’d like to do it because they usually have an idea of how they want to portray themselves. I also keep a mental catalogue of places and scenarios in case we can’t come up with something.

Can you give a couple specific examples of bands you've worked with and how you went about setting up the photo shoot and whatnot? Feel free to throw in a funny story or two, if you'd like.

Shoots really do just happen organically. I get asked, and we decide on a location and time and go from there. I usually try and think beforehand about positioning and lighting and all that. I like to talk with the band and figure out what they want and see if they have any ideas or preferences, and let them know I’m extremely flexible and casual with all of it. I also like to work progressively. You can only take a few shots in one spot, so I like the idea of moving around to give them different options.

No Cello was fun because Shannon Hunter and I shot it together. We just wandered around downtown with them. We started at Storyland, went for ice cream on the Fulton Mall, and ended up at Jimmy’s Emerald thrift.

My first Rademacher shoot was when it was just Mike M. He called me up last minute and asked if I could come over and shoot him and this old piano in the alley behind the Pearl building. Josh and Mehran were painting the mural and had some flood lights out there. I was really worried about the lighting because I wasn’t too comfortable with night shooting. We took a lot to be safe and got some pretty good shots. Brianna Johnson Smeds ended up using them to create the artwork for both the self-titled EP and the Ice Age EP.

With the most recent Rademacher lineup, we started out in Playland and ended at the Astro Lounge. Playland was fun. We got to talk to the train conductor. He even jumped in some of the photos. And it was fun to watch Brad shoot himself with water over and over in the face to get the fountain shot.

And one of my favorites from the recent Sparklejet shoot. It’s not one of the "best" technically or artistically but rather for what it captured. Toward the end of the shoot, we had just got on the elevator. I planned on taking a few photos while we were in there, and a group of office ladies got on complaining about the smell of the cleaning products they were using somewhere. It caught us all so off guard. I like seeing a rock band like them full of unapologetic giggles.

Has photographing a Fresno band led to any other cool projects? You know, through exposure and all that?

Yes and no. I went with Mike M. from Fresno Famous to shoot Built Like Alaska when he was interviewing them in Oakdale. And I think Sparklejet felt comfortable using me since they know me personally and know I have some experience. I volunteered recently to do a photo essay for Fresno Famous on the new hookah bar in Tower. I think you have to put yourself out there and pursue projects, and maybe something will present itself along the way.

So is band photography a hobby, or could you see yourself turning it into a little business?

Photography in general is my hobby. I just enjoy doing it. I was the main photographer at a friend’s wedding. I’d like to do more work like that. I also enjoy shooting life: friends, camping trips, shows, vacations and dance parties. I would like to do more "work," whether it’s shooting for bands or business. There are more things I’d like to learn technically before I’d ever consider offering my services on a more serious level. I take it one day/photo at a time.

Any advice you can give to young Fresno photographers who want to get into band photography?

Like anything, just get out there and try it. If you’re already around bands, then you’re set. Take your camera to shows. Don’t be afraid to think about composition at a show, but don’t be that person who is in the way of the people enjoying the band and shooting like crazy with too much flash.

In terms of doing stills or press shots, start out with people you know. Friends are much more fun to shoot and easier to make mistakes with.

OK, enough of the music stuff. Any future photo projects (music or non-music) we should be on the lookout for? Where can people buy your stuff, if they're interested?

Along with John Flores and Shannon Hunter, I have some photos up through the month of December at Cafe Fulton on the Fulton Mall. I always have prints for sale. I can be contacted via my Web site http://www.rachaelophotography.com or on MySpace.

I have a few ideas brewing in the back of my head for future stuff. Shannon Hunter and I would like to put together a show in the spring of various artists (photographers and not) for a yet-to-be-announced show. I will also be working with Brianna Johnson Smeds on a group project in the summer. And I would like to photograph more bands. In fact, doing this interview with you makes me think I need to look into doing a local bands photo show!

I feel that I still have a long way to go before I get to where I want to be. But I really think that each time I do a shoot or a project, I get better and better. I just want to keep building on that.