When I reached out to do a showcase for this featured photographer, I was pretty sure that I wouldn't get anywhere with it. So when this fine gentlemen responded with a yes to my review, I was very excited about the opportunity to showcase him. I have been following the work of photographer Adam Montgomery of ShutterBros, for about 6 months now and have thoroughly enjoyed his work. The images taken by this man always seem to look so crisp and defined, no matter what the subject is. He has a way of shooting photos that is envied by so many Bay Area photographers and even though he has already found some level of success, Adam is constantly trying out new styles and subjects to shoot so that he can always be raising his own bar. It's this level of creativity and dedication to the craft that helps make Adam one of the best photographers in the Bay Area, and it doesn't look like he has any plans on quitting anytime soon.
I got to have a little chat with Adam Montgomery last week about his work, enjoy! Also, be sure to check out his Instagram, @shutterbros, and his website, www.shutterbrosvisuals.com for more of his work.
I got to have a little chat with Adam Montgomery last week about his work, enjoy! Also, be sure to check out his Instagram, @shutterbros, and his website, www.shutterbrosvisuals.com for more of his work.
So, lets start off by having you tell people your name.
"My name is Adam Montgomery, aka Addie or ShutterBros."
Where are you from?
"I was born in Berkeley, but I was raised in West Hayward, CA."
So what made you get into photography in the first place?
"I have always been into taking pictures, even at a young age. A photographer who took a photo of my cousin for his mixtape cover when I was 11 years old inspired me. My cousin had Photoshop open and told me to play around with it. I was more into editing and manipulating photos before I really picked up a DSLR and gave it try. I got my first DSLR my sophomore year of high school in 2009 and took a photography class that same year. My first experience of real fine art photography was that same year where I saw the work of photographer Richard Avedon and after that, I never looked back."
What was it about Richard Avedon's work that drew you in initially?
"His black and white style of photography has molded me to be very precise with my work. He pushes me to make my images equal, as far as tones are concerned."
Where would you like photography to take you?
"I really want to be known for all kinds of work. There are a lot of people who are known for one type of work. I want to be known for all different styles of work, such as: portraits, product shots, studio work, landscapes, etc. I just want to make it honestly; photography is all I have left. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without it."
Do you have a favorite subject that you like to shoot right now?
"I would have to say my favorite thing to shoot has to be either landscapes or portrait work. I love to be able to capture moments, which is all that I am about. All the pictures we have in our lives are moments in time, and I want to be able to look back years from now when I have a family of my own and say, "Damn, I remember those days, those people." Those moments are what I live for."
If you could travel anywhere to shoot, where would you go?
"I would love to go to Europe. I’ve never left the country or have even been on the east coast of the US. I just want to experience different vibes and different culture from people outside of California."
I can't say I blame you on that one. Switching topics though, what's one album you could never get tired of listening to and why?
"Man, that’s a tough one. It would either be "The Listening" by Little Brother or "Beats, Rhymes, and Life" by Tribe Called Quest. Little Brother has been a huge part of my life mainly because their producer, 9th Wonder, has the smoothest beats around. I could vibe to any music as long as I can bob my head to it, and it's the same thing with A Tribe Called Quest. Their original hip-hop beats have molded my taste in music."
What's your favorite concert that you have ever attended?
"I would have to say the EarlWolf tour concert with OddFuture. I saw teverything from girls taking their clothes off to people getting laid out in the mosh pit. I lost my sister in the crowd and had no way of finding her until after the crowd had selttled. hahaha"
Where do you see yourself 2 years from now, and where do you see yourself in 5 years?
"This is probably the most difficult question to answer. I really don’t know what will happen tomorrow, but I hope I’m still doing what I love."
Where can people go to follow your progress and find your photos?
"People can check out my work on Instagram, @SHUTTERBROS and on my website, www.shuttebrosvisuals.com."
Anything else you would like to say before you go?
"I want to give a huge shout out to my boy, Meez. He's got tough love for me, but he just wants to see me do great things. I love him to death. Also, shout out to Roamsy too. My little bro is going to be doing great things one day."
Last question, man. If you could have written any song in history, which one would you choose and why?
"Easy, I gotta go with "In Rememberance of Me" by Blu from Blu and Exile. It just fits my life, check it out sometime."
Thank you so much for being a part of the website. The door is always open at SF Solid Gold for you, man. Best of luck in all of your future creative endeavors!
"My name is Adam Montgomery, aka Addie or ShutterBros."
Where are you from?
"I was born in Berkeley, but I was raised in West Hayward, CA."
So what made you get into photography in the first place?
"I have always been into taking pictures, even at a young age. A photographer who took a photo of my cousin for his mixtape cover when I was 11 years old inspired me. My cousin had Photoshop open and told me to play around with it. I was more into editing and manipulating photos before I really picked up a DSLR and gave it try. I got my first DSLR my sophomore year of high school in 2009 and took a photography class that same year. My first experience of real fine art photography was that same year where I saw the work of photographer Richard Avedon and after that, I never looked back."
What was it about Richard Avedon's work that drew you in initially?
"His black and white style of photography has molded me to be very precise with my work. He pushes me to make my images equal, as far as tones are concerned."
Where would you like photography to take you?
"I really want to be known for all kinds of work. There are a lot of people who are known for one type of work. I want to be known for all different styles of work, such as: portraits, product shots, studio work, landscapes, etc. I just want to make it honestly; photography is all I have left. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without it."
Do you have a favorite subject that you like to shoot right now?
"I would have to say my favorite thing to shoot has to be either landscapes or portrait work. I love to be able to capture moments, which is all that I am about. All the pictures we have in our lives are moments in time, and I want to be able to look back years from now when I have a family of my own and say, "Damn, I remember those days, those people." Those moments are what I live for."
If you could travel anywhere to shoot, where would you go?
"I would love to go to Europe. I’ve never left the country or have even been on the east coast of the US. I just want to experience different vibes and different culture from people outside of California."
I can't say I blame you on that one. Switching topics though, what's one album you could never get tired of listening to and why?
"Man, that’s a tough one. It would either be "The Listening" by Little Brother or "Beats, Rhymes, and Life" by Tribe Called Quest. Little Brother has been a huge part of my life mainly because their producer, 9th Wonder, has the smoothest beats around. I could vibe to any music as long as I can bob my head to it, and it's the same thing with A Tribe Called Quest. Their original hip-hop beats have molded my taste in music."
What's your favorite concert that you have ever attended?
"I would have to say the EarlWolf tour concert with OddFuture. I saw teverything from girls taking their clothes off to people getting laid out in the mosh pit. I lost my sister in the crowd and had no way of finding her until after the crowd had selttled. hahaha"
Where do you see yourself 2 years from now, and where do you see yourself in 5 years?
"This is probably the most difficult question to answer. I really don’t know what will happen tomorrow, but I hope I’m still doing what I love."
Where can people go to follow your progress and find your photos?
"People can check out my work on Instagram, @SHUTTERBROS and on my website, www.shuttebrosvisuals.com."
Anything else you would like to say before you go?
"I want to give a huge shout out to my boy, Meez. He's got tough love for me, but he just wants to see me do great things. I love him to death. Also, shout out to Roamsy too. My little bro is going to be doing great things one day."
Last question, man. If you could have written any song in history, which one would you choose and why?
"Easy, I gotta go with "In Rememberance of Me" by Blu from Blu and Exile. It just fits my life, check it out sometime."
Thank you so much for being a part of the website. The door is always open at SF Solid Gold for you, man. Best of luck in all of your future creative endeavors!
Written by: Jacob Schmidt