Meet Chelsea Whitaker of Grand Rapids

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea Whitaker.

Hi Chelsea, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
For years I knew that I wanted to be a photographer. Sometime as a child I was gifted a camera, and everything kinda clicked from there. Now, after having been a music photographer for nearly 8 years, I’m discovering a new passion and career focus. I moved back to Michigan in 2022, after spending a few years in Arizona, and immediately deep dove into the Grand Rapids music scene. I’ve booked shows, co-produced festivals, judged battle of the bands. I’ve worked guest services, box office, VIP assisting, and production. The latter being my new passion. I got into live show production beginning last summer because I wanted to learn how to do the lights for concerts. Too many local bands were missing out on the quality lighting every great band deserves. I want to change that. So I asked the production manager at the venue I worked guest services for, if that was something I could learn. She immediately said yes, and off I went. On a brand new journey. That same day, I also asked a friend, and manager of the Pyramid Scheme, if he needed help with lighting. He also said yes. And now, I’m nearing a year in the production side of things and finding that I really love it.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I don’t know that it’s ever a “smooth road” when it comes to following your dreams. There are always obstacles and challenges to be faced. However, I have learned that when you do what is true and authentic to you, the universe has a way of making things happen.

When it comes to moving into production, initially it was easy. I asked for what I wanted and got it. I didn’t know what “it” meant, necessarily, but two people said yes to me, and that was a win. The challenge then became discovering what in the world I had gotten myself into, and how do I fit in? I knew that lugging around big, heavy equipment as a stagehand might be difficult for a small human like myself. And there were days and shows that I worked and worried that I would be completely useless. I was still learning what the inner workings of live show production looked like, and didn’t know all the nuances. And I found that being small is actually a benefit in some ways. If we need to dig something out from below the stage, I got it. Need some video wall cabling done in tight quarters, all me. And as I worked more shows, I would stick with the lighting crew and learn as much as I could. And you know what I learned? Lights are heavy as f***!

I’m also the only non-male stagehand, like ninety percent of the time. That has definitely added to the struggles. I have been used to being a non-male in a highly male dominated industry, so this wasn’t new to me. But the context had changed.

All throughout this discovery and learning process in the past year, I was also going through a lot of personal stuff. I was fired from my job working at a florist. I got a divorce and moved into a new home. And my cat of 20 years (Batman) passed away in the summer.

The only thing that held me together was my community and knowing that I am building a life of happiness and joy for myself.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I still love to photograph live shows, although it’s something that I have decided to scale back on this year. Instead, I am prioritizing creative portraits and documentary style candids. Working directly with bands to create album art, promo photos, and moment-capturing candids is my goal.

As I learn light design for live performance, I want to work more with local bands and artist to design their shows. Help them to stand out and make them memorable for the audience. I can help with basic light design, offering a guide to provide venues for a consistent show, no matter the venue. For more theatrical ideas, I can help creatively direct your show. Deciding on a theme or vibe, what set pieces may need to be added, color coordination, etc.

At the moment, I am most proud of my work for Killswitch Engage. I worked production for their show at GLC Live at 20 Monroe at the beginning of April, and it was a beast of a production. Not only that, but I also photographed the show for Local Spins. This is the first time I’d worked production and photo on the same show. It was a lot, and I don’t know that I’ll do it again, but I’m so proud of myself for doing it.

I will say, too, that I’m damn proud of my light design work. I look at it from the perspective of a photographer, and other photographers have definitely noticed and appreciated that.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Just be you. Be authentic and real. Don’t be desperate. Talk to the people in your spaces, that you have access to. Whatever your scene or industry, there are other people just as passionate about it as you are. Look for them, and you can feed each other’s growth and passion.

And don’t be afraid to ask for the things you want. You never know if you don’t ask, and who knows, maybe you’ll get exactly what you wanted.

Pricing:

• Studio Sessions (15 min photo) – $100
• Live in Three (15 min live show photo) $100
• Live Show (full set photo) – $300
• Day Rate (photo) – $350
• Light Design / Creative Direction – varies

Contact Info:

• Website: https://chelseawhitakerphotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chelseawhitakerphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chelseawhitakerphoto
• Other: https://www.tumblr.com/popcorephotog