Today we’d like to introduce you to Pete Park.
Pete, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Well I stumbled onto photography about a year and a half ago. I was truly inspired by a particular photographer named “gunnerstahl” popularly known throughout hip-hop culture as being one of the greatest photographers to ever do it. I was so curious on how he would get so close to artists and build a connection with them and how he would create such incredible photographs using only a 35mm point and shoot. I remember in 2018 just scouring the internet for interviews, articles, posts anything I could find about gunner. I eventually knew what his first camera was, how he accidentally stumbled onto photography and the first big artist that gave him the opportunity to allow him to shoot him and basically dip his toes into the industry.
Shortly after all of this, I made the decision to purchase my very own first 35mm film camera (Olympus Stylus Epic Zoom). I did not know much about film cameras until this point, but I figured it couldn’t be that difficult. I began taking my camera everywhere I went and the first night out at club SQL, I sneaked in VIP and took pictures of Icy Narco. He was the first “big” artist I shot and the first artist to reach out to me, letting me know how much he loved the pictures I took. After that, it was a wrap. I loved the excitement of making what seemed impossible possible. I laid out my vision on the type of photographer I wanted to be, my shooting style and most importantly my name.
Ever since shooting my first “big” artist I’ve been able to capture portraits of many of my own personal favorite artists. Capturing artists such as Asap Rocky, Playboi Carti, Gunna, Nav, 50 Cent, Yung Bans, Dominic Fike and much more. Through this I realized how it’s really just up to you to go out there and get what you want. I am forever grateful to every single person that has shown love to my photography. Seeing my work on cover arts like the one for “Thieves” by Kota the Friend or receiving a picture of a print I sold being hung up in someone’s room on the other side of the country is simply incredible.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I would not say it’s been a smooth road but it also hasn’t been incredibly difficult. My mother has always told me anything you do with passion will come with much more ease. With that being said, there have been many obstacles that have tried to derail me in the past. Everyone always asks me how I get so close to artists and honestly, I just finesse. You have to be confident in what you are doing and you are going to run into people telling you that you can’t be there or questioning your intentions, you simply have to learn how to adapt to every situation at its given moment. I always carry myself with respect towards others such as security guards. You have to understand they are just doing their job. However, you are also trying to do yours, so always try and befriend security guards and if you run into trouble show that you are just there to shoot, you are harmless.
Aside from security obstacles, sometimes I find myself losing motivation to go out there and run these long and sometimes sketchy nights to get the possible chance to shoot an artist. I quickly remind myself why I got into this and 9/10 times the experience I live is just so crazy and fun that I get inspired again.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I am most known for being your friendly neighborhood shooter out here in the greater Miami area. I feel like what sets me apart from other artists is the manner in which I go about getting my shots and the persona I am building. Inspired by Marvel’s Spiderman, I plan to use the idea of Peter Parker but bring him to life in today’s current timeline capturing iconic people. I am most proud of the work I have been able to create and I believe every shot has a story or a memory attached to it and that is extremely special to me.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is what you make it. In my opinion seeing my work being appreciated by others is successful to me. Prints being sold to people in different states, artists posting my work on their social media, being part of cover arts for songs is all success to me. I plan on going far with my photography and eventually branch out to videos and creative direction within sets. Anything I put my mind too, I know that I can achieve it.
Contact Info:
- Email: shotbypetepark@gmail.com
- Instagram: @bypetepark
- Twitter: @bypetepark
Image Credit:
@bypetepark
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