Celebrating five years of local music photography exhibition FromThePit, an exceptional collection of iconic contemporary live snaps was chosen to be on digital display across publicly accessible screens of Aotearoa in May 2023, including a placement in the Parliament visitor centre at the Beehive. This is Te Whanganui-a-Tara photographer Taylor Vincent, who submitted a photo of rock legend Shihad‘s Jon Toogood.

What’s your name, where are you from and how did you get into photography?

I’m Taylor Vincent, a music/event photographer based in Wellington..

I’ve always had a passion for live music and the way that photography can capture the energy of a performance.

What’s your philosophy around taking photos?

For me, the power of music photography lies in its ability to bring still images to life and capture moments that others can relate to.

Which Kiwi act do you enjoy taking photos of most and why?

When it comes to Kiwi acts, I can’t pick a favourite to photograph – they all have a unique ability to connect with their audience, resulting in amazing photos every time.

If you could pick one camera, one lens and one flash, which ones would you pick, and why?

When it comes to my equipment, my go-to setup is my trusty Canon EOS R paired with the 70-200mm f2.8 lens.

This combo allows me to shoot from the crowd and capture a long lens perspective, giving viewers a sense of being right there, in the moment.