Ana Wigmore is one of the top music photographers in the nation. Over the course of one year she has managed to cover some of the biggest dance music events in the county. If I can think of one word do describe Ana it would have to be ‘fierce’. Her fierce determination to be the best in the space of capturing photos is inspirational.
Never taking no for an answer Ana found ways to network with producers, record labels, festival decision mangers, artist managers anything and everything needed to get in the door to do what she does best. Taking best, breath taking photos the world of dance has ever seen… It truly is an honor to catch up with her for an exclusive interview. She is what she shared up with me.
Full Support – Michael Beas, Raver Magazine
Photo by Michael Beas
What is the one place that you find inspiration the most when it comes to photography?
I find inspiration everywhere. Whether I’m attending a concert, traveling, or simply going out with friends, I always find myself wanting to capture moments through photographs. I get a lot of inspiration from working with other photographers. I am still new to photography, so I love to pick up on techniques and styles from other creators. It’s cool to see how every photographer has a different approach, and I’ve had a blast trying to develop my own aesthetic and editing style.
Why did you get into photography or more so what is photography specifically shooting EDM events and festivals important to you?
Although I never had a camera growing up, I was always drawn to photography. I loved taking pictures on my phone, but didn’t really know how into depth I could get with it until this past year. I decided to purchase a camera in the height of covid, and just dove head first into photography. Before I knew it, I was shooting 3 shows a night, 7 nights a week, around many of the clubs in Miami. I was able to work with some really incredible artists that helped me build my portfolio, and the best part of it all was just gaining experience and learning how to take photos in different settings. Since I have been heavily involved in the EDM scene for many years, it just made sense for me to combine my industry connections with my passion for photography. After sending hundreds of emails and really putting myself out there, I managed to shoot for 100+ artists, 90 shows, and 12 festivals, all within a 6 month span. I am definitely addicted to the hustle and don’t plan on slowing down anytime soon.
If you could shoot at any event in the world, where would it be and why?
That’s a tough one. I would probably say any show at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Denver, CO. I did shoot a show there back in September, but I may or may not have had to sneak my camera in to shoot. So I would love to shoot there “officially.” It is such an amazing venue and a huge achievement for any artist to play a show there. I think that because artists treat Red Rocks as such a milestone, the energy there is just so different than any other venue. A lot of artists prepare sets and productions specifically for Red Rocks shows, so it’s cool to see new stage designs combined with the insane mountain views.
Coming off the cuff of the same question if you can shoot for any artist on tour in the would who would be it and why?
I have been fortunate enough to shoot with a lot of my favorite artists this year, but one artist that I’d really love to shoot for is Kanye West. Although he is quite controversial, he puts on some of the craziest shows I’ve ever seen. I’ve been a fan of his music for as long as I can remember, and seeing his Yeezus tour in 2013 really influenced my love for live music. I was blown away by his production, as well as his stage presence, so I can only imagine how fun it would be to shoot one of his tours.
We see that you shoot a lot of the Aoki events and shows what is the connection there and what is it like being behind the decks when he is performing?
I manage an artist (Bok Nero), who works closely with Steve Aoki. Due to their close relationship, I have been fortunate enough to spend some time with Steve and attend many of his shows. He is a great performer and I am always impressed by his energy at every show. Especially given how many times he performs in a year, I don’t know how he does it. No photograph will ever really be able to capture the energy he brings into a room. It’s truly special being able to watch him do what he does best and to be on the other side of the decks with him.
Your photos and videos of Alison Wonderland have been getting a lot of attention for its artistic mastery, why is shooting for her or taking shots of her important to you?
Alison is an artist that I’ve looked up to for years. There are not many female DJs dominating the music industry like she is right now. She is an inspiration to me for many reasons, but one of the biggest ones is her ability to captivate a crowd. She puts on a great show and is always adding different elements to elevate her performances. You can tell she really cares about the music she is performing, and it is really special being able to capture such raw and vulnerable moments while she is on stage.
Bonus:
What is on the line up for New Year’s 2021 to shoot and what event are you looking to cover the most in 2022?
I will be shooting for Alison Wonderland at HiJinx festival in Philadelphia on New Years Eve. I couldn’t be more excited and grateful to work with her again. As far as 2022 goes, I actually don’t have any events on the calendar yet. However, I did not plan on shooting any of the events that I covered this year, so who knows what’s in store. I love the element of surprise and am looking forward to whatever is coming next.
Here are some of Ana’s Photos:
