Still Surreal: LomoAmigo Sophia Ragomo

Sophia Ragomo explores the modern culture of music while working closely with bands such as Secret Weapons, Dead Sara, Kitten, The Griswolds, Muna, and most recently Grouplove, The Shelters, and The Hunna in this new Lomo'Instant Wide showcase. Sophia captures musicians in both analogue and digital mediums that encapsulates their title as artists in it's climax of beauty-whilst performing.

What is it like for you to photograph musicians in such a real and exciting environment?

Even though I have been doing music photography for about eight months now, every time I shoot a show, it still doesn't feel real to me. I get extremely excited before each show I get to shoot and I hope as I continue, that feeling never goes away. I have always loved listening to music, and through school, I played many instruments and sang in a band, so music has always been a major part of my life. I never thought about combining music and photography when I first wanted to pursue the arts because I didn't think it was something that was possible for me now. Luckily, I got an opportunity that helped me start out in the business and from there, was able to build a portfolio and start shooting for publications. Looking back on all the bands I have photographed so far, I feel so fortunate to have been presented with these opportunities at such a young age.

How did you start exploring the world of music in association to photography? How do you seek to apply it in your works?

All through middle school and high school, I knew I wanted to end up in the arts. I thought at first I wanted to go into fashion design because I liked drawing and styling, but I very quickly learned that sewing was not for me. After taking a darkroom class, I joined the newspaper staff as a photographer during my junior year and that's when I realized photography was something I enjoyed. Because I had previously wanted to go into fashion, I thought I could combine my two loves and pursue fashion photography. It was never something that I felt highly passionate about, but I figured that someday I could. In March of my senior year, our paper decided to do a story about a band from our high school who was touring nationally with Kitten, and they just so happened to be in town the same night it was pitched. I went and shot the show and immediately felt like I had found the place I wanted to be. Music photography has taught me so much technically about skills like lighting and composition, but more importantly, I have learned to never abandon your goals. Many times, I have wanted to shoot a certain show or do portraits with a band and have been denied access. More often than not, I somehow find a way around. I think that if I am passionate enough about something, I will find a way to make it happen.

What is your favorite part about working with various musicians?

I love getting to know musicians on a personal level. Every musician or band I have shot so far has been one I'm a fan of, so meeting them not only is cool because I love their music, but it also puts into perspective how they're real people just like the rest of us. I think when fans see a band on stage or listen to their music, they idolize them as if they're superhuman when in reality, most of them lead normal lives. Talking and joking with them while backstage or in a portrait session has allowed me to be more comfortable around bands that I love because I realized that they are just people like me.

We would love to hear about some personal projects you have most recently pursued, can you tell us a little bit about them?

Now that I'm in college, I have a darkroom available whenever I need it, so a lot of my recent work has revolved around black and white film and darkroom printing. I love being able to develop film myself, so with my recent music work, I have started shooting live shows in both digital and film. As far as recent music photography projects go, in the past month I have been lucky enough to hang out with some pretty amazing artists. My most recent was k.flay in Philadelphia, and I also got to work with The Shelters and The Hunna on the Alt Nation Advanced Placement tour in New York. One of my favorite projects recently was Grouplove about a month ago. I did not expect to get to shoot with them personally at all, since they are a pretty large band in the alternative world. I was super nervous beforehand because I am a huge fan of their music, but they were so sweet and very excited to have their pictures taken and make some art with me!

From your own experience will you share with us what it was like working with the Lomo'Instant Wide?

The Lomo'Instant Wide has been a great conversation piece. When I pull it out of my bag around a band, they are fascinated by the retro look. I often get the questions, "Is that vintage?" or "Where did you find that?". Instant photos are just started to become popular again, and I recently started taking two of each group and leaving one with the band. So many people just shoot digital, and there isn't anything wrong with that, but there is something about the look of film and being able to possess a real photo that fascinates people.

Interested in finding out which bands Sophia will showcase next? Check out her previous works, as well as many more to come through Sophia's Website, Facebook, Instagram, Flickr, and Twitter.

Get in on the fun by checking out the Lomo'Instant Wide in our Online Shop!

written by katphip on 2016-12-29 #gear #culture #people #places