Today we’d like to introduce you to Niki Tyler.
Hi Niki, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Absolutely! I’ve had a camera around my neck for as long as I can remember. In middle school, I was lucky enough to study photojournalism and was instantly hooked at a very young age. I learned photography basics, documented school events, and even learned how to develop photos in a dark room. Music was also a huge passion of mine. My parents introduced me to Classic Rock, and I ran with it, finding so many amazing artists to be a fan of. My favorite band was Aerosmith, and back then, after every show they played, they would post live photos on their website/blog. I saw the mixture of the excitement of live music and photography and thought, THAT is what I want to do.
At 15, I was taking guitar lessons at For Those About To Rock School with Darren (lead singer of Back in Black) and Mike (founder & lead guitarist). I had heard of their AC/DC tribute band, Back in Black, and asked if I could come out to their show at House of Blues to take photos for them. They will tell you they didn’t have high expectations because of my age/experience but agreed to let me come shoot their show anyways. The show was incredible, high energy, and absolutely packed! I couldn’t wait to get home to start editing the photos. The next week, when it was time for my lesson, I brought my laptop to the music school and showed the guys what I captured. And they absolutely loved the photos! I was over the moon.
15 years and about a thousand shows later, I am thrilled to say that I am Back in Black’s official photographer! In addition, I also manage their social media platforms, merchandise and create all media you see for the band. I have also assisted Live Nation with special projects like the “Jack’s Throwback” festival, which was the largest tribute festival in the US, and was the director of photography on Back in Black’s documentary, “My Stupid Tribute Band.” It’s been a wild ride and is the absolute best job in the world.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I would say that being a female photographer in this industry has been interesting, especially when I was younger, and shooting shows. Lots of side eyes from other photographers and snide comments have been said to me about being so young/questioning my experience/why I was there. But you can’t dwell on those moments, and truthfully; it only pushed me to work harder at my craft and do better. In DFW, we have such an amazing music scene, and a lot of the local photographers are some of my great friends. You’ll know who they are by their constant smiles at shows. When you get in the pit with them, there is nothing but love and supporting each other. Which is how it should be always.
With the band, it has been the smoothest road you could imagine. They are family to me. The lineup has changed a few times over the years, but I’ve been very thankful to get to know some absolutely wonderful people along the way. The group of guys (and girls) we have now are truly the best, and the shows reflect that positive and happy energy. We’re having a blast!
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am most proud of the work that I have done while being in Back in Black. My photography has been featured in magazines across the world, newspapers, on Back in Black’s original project, Stripwired’s album jacket and inner sleeve, online articles, film, and we even had a fan paint a HUGE canvas print of one of my images! While working on our documentary, “My Stupid Tribute Band,” it really hit me how special it was that this is my job and that I get to work at my passion every single day. I’ve been able to capture so many milestone experiences and moments over the years. Someone said to me, “I bet you have every millisecond of a Back in Black concert captured,” and they would be right.
A photography teacher once told me, “The only thing that separates photographers from each other is their “eye” for moments and how they capture that moment,” and I couldn’t agree more. It still amazes me when I see other photographers shoot our show and how different our photos are. While we are both seeing the same thing, we each have a unique way of capturing it, which is wonderful and something I love about photography as an art form.
My biggest influences are Mick Rock and Ross Halfin. Some of my favorite images from their catalogs are from the ’70s when stage lighting wasn’t the best, but they were able to capture a real raw moment in a show where the lights hit the artist just right. I draw a lot of inspiration from that at every show. Paying attention to those “moments” in a show, playing with the light, and not overly editing the photos after the fact. Every show is an opportunity to get better and to work at my craft, and I do not take that for granted. My work has definitely evolved over the years, and I am always eager to learn from my peers and grow.
What do you think about happiness?
When it comes to my career, I can say that I consider myself very lucky that I get to work at my passion alongside my best friends, and that is what makes me happy. The experiences and memories we’ve made have been unforgettable. I have been able to travel here, there, and everywhere, make new friends, try new things, and push myself daily to be the best I can be at my craft.
I still get the rush of excitement when the lights go down, and I’m in the photo pit getting ready to shoot. There isn’t anything like it, and that’s how I know I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @nikityler, @realbackinblack
- Facebook: Facebook.com/backinblack.info
Image Credits
Gregg Gannon
George Pecoraro
Melissa Noriega
