PICTURES FROM THE PIT

Erica Lauren’s concert photography puts you right in the middle of the crowd, giving you the experience of being at the show without making your ears ring.

- JONNY WATSON

The reason concerts are so special is that they happen in a fleeting moment of time. You were either there or you weren’t. Sure, you could listen to a live album or, if you happen to be from a certain crunchy generation, you can trade bootleg tapes with other fans. But these recordings never capture the energy in the room. The only thing that can come close is a dynamic photograph.

Few people have an eye for that perfect shot like Erica Lauren. Lauren grew up shooting with a disposable from the pit at punk shows, and you can feel that energy (and smell the sweat) when you look at her work. We spoke with her about the music that inspires her, the collective of female artists she founded, and the perfect Side 1, Track 1.

How did you first get into photography? My relationship with photography started in high school. I took an art class that taught how to process film and the technical aspects of using a camera. So before I started shooting music, and way before I picked up a digital camera, I was taking pictures on disposable and film cameras every day, documenting my friends and family. From there I started bringing my camera with me to all the shows I went to.