Vincent Candela—Vinny to some—got in touch with me about a year ago. Happens all the time: people looking to get their shots published, their names out there. But his work stood out. There was a rawness, a kind of unpolished ferocity in the way he captured the world, and that caught my attention. So, I gave him a shot. Turns out, he’s been running with it ever since.
There’s a youthful edge to his photos—a kinetic energy that jumps off the frame. It’s the kind of thing you don’t want to snuff out, the kind of spirit worth fostering. Recently, I threw some questions his way, curious about what drives him, how he sees his craft, and where he’s headed. What follows is a glimpse into the mind of a young artist finding his place in Richmond’s unpredictable, wildly creative landscape.
You can find more photos from Vinny HERE, HERE and HERE.
How did this journey behind the lens begin for you? What first lit the spark to capture these moments, and how do you feel your approach has evolved over the years?
I started photography in March 2022 after receiving my first camera for my birthday. I immediately began learning about my camera and the basics of photography, shooting around Fredericksburg and later for my high school’s yearbook. At first, I was just pressing the shutter button repeatedly, hoping to capture a good picture. But after a year of doing that, I came across a protest in DC and started noticing more emotion than I had at high school games. This caused me to slow down and focus on composition and storytelling. I carried that strategy into other types of photography. While I’ve been evolving ever since, I know I still have a lot to learn.
Your concert shots are packed with energy, almost like they’re vibrating off the page. What’s the secret sauce for nailing that raw emotion on stage, and how do you prep for these electric moments?
Before I shoot a show, I listen to the band’s music—or music from similar bands—for hours to get a feel for how they should be portrayed. To me, energy is best depicted in photography through detail. If there’s a lot happening in a photo, I love representing it with definition and clarity. I also use wide-angle lenses to either encapsulate more of the environment or get up close and personal with the performer.
Richmond’s underground music scene has its own kind of wild charm. How does shooting these performances feed into your style? What kind of vibe or message are you hoping people take away from your photos?
Richmond has such a unique spirit, and I’ve noticed it more clearly in recent years. Seeing local and smaller artists making art purely for themselves is inspiring because it reminds me that I don’t have to follow what other artists or photographers are doing. I think I’m getting to a point where I’m starting to learn what I like to create and how I want to represent the artist or subject in front of me. I hope that when people see my photos, they feel inspired to create their own beautiful branch on the ever-growing tree of art and self-expression.
What are some of the biggest hurdles you’ve faced while capturing live shows, and how have those challenges shaped the way you see yourself as an artist?
When I’m shooting, it’s hard for me to ask people if I can get past them or in front of them for a few seconds to get a shot. I feel like I’m interrupting their experience, and I don’t want to inconvenience anyone. To work around this, I navigate the venue and look for new angles to capture the show. I think it’s good to find unconventional ways to photograph a concert, and I’ve been getting better at finding unique perspectives to document performances.
Thinking back to your early days with the camera, what stands out the most in terms of your growth? What’s different about what you’re trying to capture now compared to when you first started?
When I first started, like many others, I just pointed and clicked the shutter button without much purpose. As I grew as an artist and found inspiration, I began thinking more intentionally about why I was taking a picture and how I was portraying the subject’s power or energy. One area where I’ve changed significantly is how I use light in my photos. It’s a tool I overlooked in the beginning, but now I see how important it is—especially in concert photography. I use light to transform the subject into a dominating or intimidating figure, adding depth and emotion to the shot.
How do you decide who or what to focus on when you’re out shooting? Is there something about a particular moment or person that grabs you? How do you know when a story needs to be told through your images?
When I take pictures at concerts, I think about the effort and passion the artists put into their work and how I can best represent that or do it justice. Tailoring the composition of the photo to match the performer’s physical and vocal energy is what I aim for. I’m still very new to this style and have a lot to learn, but I’m excited to immerse myself further into this art form.
Looking ahead, what’s next for you in the photography world? Any dream projects or themes you’re itching to explore, or new directions you want to take your work in the coming years?
Short-term goal: I’d love to photograph the upcoming Sessanta tour in May 2025. A Perfect Circle was the first band I saw in concert and one that my dad introduced me to, along with many others. On top of that, Maynard James Keenan is an incredible lyricist, and the way I interpret his songs inspires me creatively. Photographing him would be a cool full-circle moment.
Long-term goal: I’d love to direct movies someday. I’ve always been drawn to grounded films with complex plots and intricate humor, like The Departed, as well as movies that tackle personal issues, like Perks of Being a Wallflower.Expressing my art and storytelling on the big screen is a dream I hope to achieve one day.
