I honestly don't even know where to begin with this kid. I had the pleasure of being introduced to this young man about a year ago through my band. We were looking to step up our entire profile by getting more high quality images of us, and the first two names we heard were Aldon Cook and Steven Rea. I have known Aldon since high school, but Steven was just some random guy that I had never heard before. We invited the both of them to last year's Mountain Vibe Music Gathering to photograph us during our set. When we saw the images that he was taking, we knew that we wanted to work with him again and again.
Steven Rea is easily in the running to be the next big thing to come out of the SF Bay Area photography scene. Always armed with a camera, and I do mean always, Steven is always capturing the world as he see's it. He has an eye like nobody that I've ever seen, and the proof is in the pudding. Steven is constantly being featured on widely popular Instagram feeds and even has an outlet through nationwide sources like Huffington Post. One of his most popular images features his own hand reaching for the view in front of him, which emphasizes the fact that he is constantly reaching for the future and what's to come next.
I have been lucky enough to be able to follow him during a full day of shooting, and I have never seen anybody work harder than this guy. I am honored to call him a friend and a colleague, and it's with great pleasure that Steven Rea is the focal point for the newest Shutter Showcase. I got to sit down with the future legend himself a few weeks back and pick his brain for a bit. I hope you enjoy!
So why don't you start off by telling us your name.
"My name is Steven Rea."
And are you from exactly?
"Martinez, CA born and raised."
So what initially got you interested in photography?
"Skateboarding for sure, it kind of just went hand in hand. My brother also had a pretty big influence on me as well."
Who have been some of your favorite photographers that you've come
across?
"Hmmm, thats a tough one. There are so many photographers on the rise right now, nut the ones I see on my Instagram that I get hyped on are Aldon Cook, Jude Allen, AC Colvin, Evan Thompson, and Van Styles."
Do you have any current goals for your photography?
"I want to get to travel for a living documenting different areas of the world, and I want to tell stories through my photos. It's a far fetched dream, but who knows? My current goal is to stay inspired and make the best of what's around me."
Do you have a favorite subject in particular that you like to shoot or are you constantly searching?
" Usually what inspires me that day, but it's normally along the lines of portraits or landscape."
What is one spot that you've always wanted to shoot?
"Death Valley, that's on the bucket list for sure."
Steven Rea is easily in the running to be the next big thing to come out of the SF Bay Area photography scene. Always armed with a camera, and I do mean always, Steven is always capturing the world as he see's it. He has an eye like nobody that I've ever seen, and the proof is in the pudding. Steven is constantly being featured on widely popular Instagram feeds and even has an outlet through nationwide sources like Huffington Post. One of his most popular images features his own hand reaching for the view in front of him, which emphasizes the fact that he is constantly reaching for the future and what's to come next.
I have been lucky enough to be able to follow him during a full day of shooting, and I have never seen anybody work harder than this guy. I am honored to call him a friend and a colleague, and it's with great pleasure that Steven Rea is the focal point for the newest Shutter Showcase. I got to sit down with the future legend himself a few weeks back and pick his brain for a bit. I hope you enjoy!
So why don't you start off by telling us your name.
"My name is Steven Rea."
And are you from exactly?
"Martinez, CA born and raised."
So what initially got you interested in photography?
"Skateboarding for sure, it kind of just went hand in hand. My brother also had a pretty big influence on me as well."
Who have been some of your favorite photographers that you've come
across?
"Hmmm, thats a tough one. There are so many photographers on the rise right now, nut the ones I see on my Instagram that I get hyped on are Aldon Cook, Jude Allen, AC Colvin, Evan Thompson, and Van Styles."
Do you have any current goals for your photography?
"I want to get to travel for a living documenting different areas of the world, and I want to tell stories through my photos. It's a far fetched dream, but who knows? My current goal is to stay inspired and make the best of what's around me."
Do you have a favorite subject in particular that you like to shoot or are you constantly searching?
" Usually what inspires me that day, but it's normally along the lines of portraits or landscape."
What is one spot that you've always wanted to shoot?
"Death Valley, that's on the bucket list for sure."
Do you feel that music and photography share a connection in any way?
"100%. For every photo that I shoot, I have a lyric that inspired me to shoot it. Music and my camera have taken over my life. hahaha"
What's one album you could never get tired of listening to and why?
"Ah man, that's too hard. Lately, it's been Kendrick Lamar's 'To Pimp A Butterfly' album, as well as Mac Miller's 'Watching Movies with the Sound Off'. Honestly though, anything from The Doors, Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Hendrix, Doobie Brothers, Allman Brothers Band, Gang Starr, Run the Jewels.... I'll stop there. I could go on forever. hahaha"
What's your favorite concert that you have ever attended?
"The Schoolboy Q concert that I went to. It was lit for sure, and he had that crowd going crazy."
What would you say is your best photo that you have taken as of recently?
"Man, I can't toot my own horn like that! haha I think it was the other day actually, I shot this portrait underneath the Golden Gate. It got me excited when I saw the way it came out."
Where do you see yourself 2 years from now, and where do you see yourself in 5 years?
"School in 2 years, for sure. I'm just starting up at the Academy of Arts in SF as a Freshman. I'll be there the next 4 years. In 5 years, I don't even think that far ahead, hopefully just livin' out the dream."
Where can people go to follow your progress and find more of your photos?
"Well stevenreaphotography.com is my website, and my instagram is @steven_rea"
Anything else you would like to say before you go?
"Um, thanks to all who support me and thanks Shmity for the interview, man. I appreciate this opportunity to share some of my art."
The pleasure is all mine, buddy. I'm happy to spread the word and share you with the rest of the Bay. best of luck in life and your art, but I know you won't need any. Keep up the amazing work, Steven. One last question: If you could have written any song in history, which one would you choose and why?
Dy'er Maker by Led Zeppelin for sure, gives me goose bumps every time.
"School in 2 years, for sure. I'm just starting up at the Academy of Arts in SF as a Freshman. I'll be there the next 4 years. In 5 years, I don't even think that far ahead, hopefully just livin' out the dream."
Where can people go to follow your progress and find more of your photos?
"Well stevenreaphotography.com is my website, and my instagram is @steven_rea"
Anything else you would like to say before you go?
"Um, thanks to all who support me and thanks Shmity for the interview, man. I appreciate this opportunity to share some of my art."
The pleasure is all mine, buddy. I'm happy to spread the word and share you with the rest of the Bay. best of luck in life and your art, but I know you won't need any. Keep up the amazing work, Steven. One last question: If you could have written any song in history, which one would you choose and why?
Dy'er Maker by Led Zeppelin for sure, gives me goose bumps every time.