Elyza Reinhart has been shooting shows since she was twelve, before she had a photo pass, before she even really knew what she was doing. That early start, and the nerves that came with it, still shape how she works today. Now based in Richmond, she’s finding new ways to connect music, skateboarding, food, and friends through her lens.
Sneaking in the First Shot
“The first show I ever photographed was The Summer Set at the House of Blues in Orlando, I didn’t have a photo pass and I’m not sure why I wasn’t questioned at the door, but I’m grateful because it was really exciting to take photos of a show and motivated me to figure out how to actually do it (would not recommend sneaking your camera in). The first show I ever had an actual photo pass for was for Neck Deep’s Christmas show in Orlando in 2014 and that one was more high energy. I do think back on those shows often because I was really intimidated!”
DIY vs. Big Tours
“The main difference has been the physical amount of room I have, and the access to different spots on stage and throughout the venue to work from. It’s maybe a bit more comfortable when I can set my bag down somewhere safe and just roam around with my camera. The stuff that matters the most to me has to stay the same, and is established outside of the venue, which is being physically and mentally comfortable, respected, appreciated (and respectful and appreciative) and liking who I’m working with. It is impossible for me to feel creative otherwise!”
Why Richmond
“I grew up in The Villages (a retirement community in Florida) and the closest venues (playing any music I like anyway) were over an hour away, when I was 15 I visited Richmond and saw flyers on the windows in Plan 9, I looked up the venue and was truly amazed that there was a show just down the road. So basically, I found out that cities existed. I felt really connected to Richmond, felt like myself when I was there, and I was motivated to move here due to the vegan options at 821 Cafe. I moved here in 2021 and 4 years later I still think it’s a perfect city.”
“I feel lucky to have friends that are in different music scenes around the city and I really enjoy working with Richmond artists. Some of my closest friends I met at shows, whether they’re venue staff or another photographer, and everyone is passionate about something music related in their own unique way.”
“For the skate scene, I’ve always wanted to do skate photography and didn’t really know where to start. I saw that the staff at my favorite food truck, 1115 Mobile Kitchen, skated and I asked them if they’d be willing to let me take photos of them sometime. That ended up turning into me taking photos for 1115 for the past two years and it’s been really cool to mix skate and food and be creative with new friends.”
In Bloom
“I created the first In Bloom with One Step Closer, a band from Pennsylvania that I connected with when they played in Richmond. I just felt really overwhelmingly inspired by them, and really appreciated the friendship I had with everyone in the band. I threw the idea of a little photo/design zine out to their vocalist Ryan, and we planned a shoot at a skate park before their show in Raleigh. I thought I would just print a few for me and for everyone in the band, but I got some messages and emails from people interested in having one. I thought it would be cool to limit them, so I just printed 52 which is my favorite number and I use it for everything.”
“I’m really grateful to One Step Closer, because they just let me do my thing and trusted me fully. After that, I knew I wanted to do one with House & Home, a band from Richmond, as I was working closely with them and was super invested in their world. That one came together really naturally and I got to surprise them with the printed versions before they even knew it was completed which was fun.”
“Shortly after doing the 2nd one, I saw a NYC based band Lip Critic open for IDLES, and I was so amazed by them. I tell everyone I love them so much it makes me a little sick, and I put the most effort I’ve put into anything ever into the shoot. The cover image is one of my favorites I’ve ever taken, and 2 years later I’m even more inspired by them and amazed by their creativity everyday. I’m not really looking for it to grow into anything at all, I’m just grateful to be in a place mentally where I can put my all into a creative project and be completely happy even if I’m the only person who cares about it. I think In Bloom #4 will just be Lip Critic again, but other artists I’d love to do one with would be Blondshell, Turnstile, Soul Blind and Militarie Gun.”
Touring and Mental Health
“The first full US tour I went on was life changing. I knew I wanted to do it, but it would be hard and dysregulating to be away from home for so long. Luckily I was going out with my friends in House & Home who I had been working with for over a year at that point, so I knew I’d be pretty comfortable. I have OCD and I had to reflect constantly and listen to myself to figure out what I needed to do to keep me comfortable that day. Doing that everyday for over a month straight ended up being really rewarding in my journey with my OCD and mental health, and showing up to my job everyday as my best self was really satisfying.”
Influences Outside Photography
“Reading definitely influences my work, I love quotes from books and sometimes I take photos with a quote from a book in mind, to try and visualize what that quote would look like. It connects in my brain in some weird way. My cats definitely motivate me because I have to provide for them and keep up their lifestyle <3 I also feel a bit more creative and inspired when I’m photographing a vegan and/or straight-edge band, so all of my interests definitely meet somewhere together!”
Looking Ahead
“I would love to photograph more skate events and work with more local artists and businesses.”
Follow Elyza Reinhart HERE
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