Chasing the Dream

As the house lights dim, the hum of the crowd dissipates in anticipation, and a palpable pre-show energy begins to build. Asher Phoenix waits, camera in hand. At the tender age of 23, they already possess a chiseled professionalism – built over six years of ardent practice.

“I photographed my first concert at 17. It was just a small Midwest artist, but it’s all been uphill from there,” Asher grins.

Dripping with character, Asher has examined themself to a degree that most have not. The excitement of music photography offers a certain creative zing, but there’s an even greater emotional depth to be had in a more personal portrait session.

“The subjects I’m most passionate about are the ones I can tell are uncomfortable in their skin. One of my end goals is to facilitate recovery photo shoots, promoting body liberation and positive body image. So, I’m really drawn to those who want to use photography and portraiture as an outlet for coping with how they feel about themselves.

“I gained a following on social media for some transmasc content. From that, I had a handful of people reach out to me and say, ‘I love that you’re so open about body dysmorphia and gender dysphoria, and I want you to help me feel comfortable in front of your camera.’ It’s the greatest honor.

In a less than typical performance space, Asher found themself with scope to explore. Expanded further by a wide range of optics to choose from, they sought out a mixture of images.

“The stage was maybe two feet off the ground, so I had to get lower than usual. There was also a balcony area, which I used for experimental top-down photos. I love getting in the middle of a crowd and framing the artist with silhouettes in the foreground. Those turned out sick with Magdalena Bay. I also wanted to be sure I was getting images of the whole band, as well as close-ups of Mica, Matthew, and their supporting members. You can document so much personality with a slightly longer lens.”

Alongside composition, exposure and color remained as important as ever for Asher.

“I was wary of blasting the ISO so high that it got noisy,” Asher explains. “But Fujifilm cameras are incredible for that. FUJIFILM X-T4 offers more clarity at ISO 32,000 than any camera I’ve ever used.

“I’m back in Kansas right now, with family, and I posted to a small, community social media group, saying I’ll make portraits while I’m here. I’ve received a lot of inquiries, and am excited to be able to tell low-key stories. I’m offering one friend, who just lost her husband suddenly, a session to recreate their wedding photos with physical representations of him. That’s something I hold super close to my heart because I lost my own partner a year ago. It’s a story I’m honored to tell.

“I recently got a text message from another popular band’s management company, offering press passes for LA and San Francisco. I’m so grateful that work is coming to me now.

“The first show I photographed after the Artists Den experience – where I could apply what I learned, without having Kevin standing over my shoulder – I came up with literally my best concert photos, and then the openers hired me to tour with them,” Asher enthuses. “I definitely credit a lot of where my career is going to the guidance of my Fujifilm mentors.”