Originally published on STATUS Magazine, December 2018

With a variety of trusty digital and analog cameras tucked safely in her arsenal, music photographer POONEH GHANA is capturing the action one tour at a time.

After finding her creative passion early, Pooneh Ghana was determined to stay on that career path. Starting off at the age of 17, the Texas-based shutterbug has become one of the music industry’s most sought-after photographers with big publications such as NME, Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, and Billboard proudly featuring her works. “Photography was something I really fell in love with in high school as I was going to more and more shows and just shooting for fun. I discovered Lomography and bought my first Holga around that time, then started stockpiling film cameras and learning everything I could about the gear I wanted to get, lighting, experimenting with and developing film, and whatever else I could,” she reminisces. “I was traveling and going to so many shows at the time, and always had my cameras. I eventually got to a point where I realized how much I enjoyed music photography, and wanted to see how I could make these two things I love a more substantial part of my life.”

Even with a high-resolution vision and an evident penchant for music, the stigma of a full-time career in the arts surrounded her. It wasn’t until her early 20s did she realize that she could actually pursue photography as a career. The shift in the opportunities being offered to her—picking up more tours, shooting for bigger music publications, getting asked to do interviews—was her ultimate sign. “My career grew slowly, but I believe organically. I decided early on that I’d give myself no other option but to work for myself and do something I love, and as I noticed it was actually happening, it just motivated me even more.” She adds, “It was great when my dad finally accepted my photography career as my real career too. That’s when I knew things were probably going okay!”

Whether she’s breezing through different cities every night, timing the perfect jump shot at a festival, or shooting an editorial for a magazine, she never loses her artistry. Having a visually-dependent passion requires a keen eye for detail but she takes a bigger look at the picture, taking creative inspiration from anywhere and everywhere including herself. “It can be a random idea that pops into my head, a movie I just watched, a photo book I just skimmed through, traveling, listening to music alone, talking to friends, or even just driving around running errands,” she reveals. “I’m always observing what’s going on around me and what’s going on in myself for it.”

Taking a quick break from the photo pit, Pooneh sets her camera down and talks to us about the atypical day in her life, being her own boss, and the greatest thing photography has taught her.

“This career keeps life unpredictable. I never know what gig I might be offered tomorrow. I could get an email then fly out and jump on a tour the next week. It’s exciting and fun in a weird way.”

As a successful photographer who’s on the road often, you’ve probably got a very busy schedule. We want to know what a typical day looks like to you?
I can definitely say that there isn’t a ‘typical’ day for me; it’s all over the place. I suppose if I’m at home, I’m usually sitting behind my computer editing until I can’t see straight. If I’m not doing that, I’ll go out and shoot shows or see friends, or try to find new bands I like. When I’m not home, I’m jumping around between tours, festivals, and whatever other photo/video work I pick up as I go. This career keeps life unpredictable. I never know what gig I might be offered tomorrow. I could get an email then fly out and jump on a tour the next week. It’s exciting and fun in a weird way. Not to say it’s never stressful, of course. It’s an intense lifestyle.

What’s your favorite piece of work and why?
That’s always a hard one for me to answer! As far as recent work, I just directed/wrote for a music video for the band Broncho. I feel good enough saying it’s one of my favorite pieces of work to date. It’s a 12-minute short film for two of their new songs, “Sandman” and “Boys Got To Go”, which we filmed half in Austin, half in the desert. It was a very personal story for me to write at that time, and the whole process with the band, production team, and the actors just came together so symbiotically. Everyone worked so great together to bring this weird vision to life, and I think it shows in the video. But yeah, that was all surreal. I can’t wait to make the next one and jump into the video world more.

You’ve shared multiple times that the reason you love polaroids is because it captures a rawness. Why is that aspect so important to you in your photographs?
I think people can see a photo and know when they’re peeking into someone’s soul a little bit. I think they can feel it and connect with the subject in the photo or maybe learn a little something about their personalities. Polaroids have always been great in just bringing that side out of people. I’ve noticed polaroids always brings down this wall and make you feel like you can be more yourself in front of the camera. It’s kind of magical.

You’ve been dabbling into more video work, and apart from the obvious, how is that process creatively different for you? Do you feel like you have to switch gears when doing that kind of work or is the creative goal ultimately the same?
I’ve done a bit of video work over the years and have been taking it more seriously over the last year especially. I mentioned the Broncho video earlier, which was really wonderful to work on. A few people mentioned after it came out that they could see my photo editing and style in the video work I do. I think the goal with photo and video is ultimately the same, but video just gives a bit more freedom and flexibility to bring an idea to life. It’s definitely a lot more work, money, prepping, and in general, more things you have to pay attention to when shooting video. I’ve been learning a lot and it’s a very exciting road to take on personally.

“I’m always self-evaluating and looking at what I can do better, maybe a little too harshly sometimes. But it keeps me motivated. I always want to be learning. I try to take on things that make me a little nervous to do because it pushes me to learn and keep progressing.”

Have you ever felt like you were stuck in a rut, career or creativity-wise? How do you pull yourself out of that?
All the time! Everyone goes through waves of that, where you feel like you hit a wall and are trying to figure out what the next step is. I’m always self-evaluating and looking at what I can do better, maybe a little too harshly sometimes. But it keeps me motivated. I always want to be learning. I try to take on things that make me a little nervous to do because it pushes me to learn and keep progressing—to challenge my brain’s creative boundaries. I think I would be bored otherwise.

You’ve said in interviews before that there are a few hardships that comes with choosing a career like yours. What is it at the end of the day that makes it all worth it?
I’m my own boss. I’ve made two passions into a career. I get to talk about bands I love all day, and my photos of these bands might put a smile on some fans’ faces when they see it. That’s all worth it.

“Trust yourself and be confident in taking risks with your work. Don’t be afraid to reach out to people for help or advice or to collaborate. Make opportunities for yourself. Realize you that are ultimately your own boss, and the way your career goes is in your hands.”

What advice do you have for those who want to follow your path in the creative career field and be a photographer?
Trust yourself and be confident in taking risks with your work. Don’t be afraid to reach out to people for help or advice or to collaborate. Make opportunities for yourself. Realize that you are ultimately your own boss, and the way your career goes is in your hands. So embrace that. Stay humble and just be nice to people.

Are there any upcoming projects you’re working on that you’d like to share that we should keep our eyes out for? What’s next for you?
It’s going to be a pretty busy couple of months! I’m about to go on tour with Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, then JEFF The Brotherhood right after that. So keep an eye out for some photo goodness from those. Right after that I’m shooting ACL Fest, then going out to Desert Daze, which I’m insanely excited about. Desert Daze is putting on my absolute dream lineup and was one of my favorite festivals to shoot last year. It’s just great vibes all around. Looking forward to seeing how the fest goes this year at the new location in Moreno Beach.

@poonehghana

Written by Sophie Caraan
Photographed by Meesh Bryant