Today we’d like to introduce you to Bailey Willis.
Hi Bailey, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
It all started in 2018. I was volunteering at the Food Truck Championship in Graham, TX, snuck my camera into the venue, flashed my volunteer pass to security, and photographed my very first concert – when I was definitely supposed to be checking coolers.
Soon after, I went to my first (and last) Warped Tour and FELL IN LOVE with live music all over again.
I had been second-shooting for a local wedding photographer for a year & wasn’t sure if weddings were my cup of tea. I soon realized that liquor was more my taste.
– and A Shot Of Bailey’s was born –
With my passion for music and my eye for photography, shooting concerts was a no-brainer.
I really started to dedicate my time more towards concert photo in March of this year. Starting at 200 followers on Instagram and reaching almost 1800 now.
In August of 2023, I left my 9-5 and I joined my first publication,
SPL/CED MEDIA and continue to shoot for them today.
However, my favorite shows are at small venues with small bands the world doesn’t know about yet.
SO, IN 2024, I am launching Heavy Pour, a music blog geared more towards local music venues and artists.
A place for me to gush about my favorite bands, review new music, and shed some light on my local scene.
Watching a band’s dreams come true in real-time and getting to capture those moments for them is why I love what I do.
With Heavy Pour, I’ll get to experience so many more of those moments.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Making money is always a struggle with photography. But the photographers who have a real passion for it power through, and those are the ones that eventually find success and end up on tour.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Concert Photography. I am most proud of how far my work has come since I first started. Practice truly does make perfect.
I feel that my genuine care for the local scene is what sets me apart from the others. We can all make a difference for the local bands and venues if we just give a sh*t and do what we can to spread the word.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I think music photography has a lot of luck that plays into the success of it. It’s a lot about who you know. But I also think working your ass off, shooting as much as possible, and making those connections is what will make the biggest difference.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ashotofbaileys.com
- Instagram: ashotofbaileysphoto
