Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Holmberg.
Hi Danielle, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve had a camera in my hand since I was a kid. Someone gifted me a Barbie camera, and I never put it down. As a teenager in middle school and high school, I was known as the kid with the camera. I was ALWAYS on MySpace and Facebook album duty. I just loved seeing a moment and knowing it wasn’t going to last forever. But with just a simple press of a button, you could make it immortal, make it history.
One day the way I looked at photography completely changed when I was offered a photojournalist spot for my first publication. This opportunity would spark my love for concert and live event photography. As a high schooler, I was going out to shows weekly shooting on cameras that weren’t even mine, I didn’t even own a digital camera at this time. But I didn’t let that stop me from going out and doing something I was slowly falling in love with. I was shooting lots of Indie and Pop Punk bands. I was a regular in the Warped Tour press pit. I thought I had finally found my calling.
Once high school ended I found myself applying for art colleges, and I got my degree in Photography. All the while still shooting shows and interviewing bands. But, sadly my relationship with LW ended, and I was stuck not knowing what to do. I wasn’t building a portfolio. I didn’t have a clue about getting press passes. I hadn’t made a single solid connection on my own. So, I put my camera down except for schoolwork. But there was always a part of me that was itching to get back into the pit.
Fast forward about… ten years later? Still no idea what to do. Stuck in a rut. Always wanting to be that shooter I was again. I decided to just..take my camera back out and go shoot. Living in Long Beach is amazing because there’s literally ALWAYS something happening. I got lucky when I decided to a local art walk with my cameras in hand and just shoot people. I made so many connections and people liked what I was doing.
From there I made it my mission to just be out all the time with my camera. Any live event that was happening, my camera and I were there. I started frequenting a local venue called Que Sera, this would eventually become my home base. They host many different types of events. This opened me up to shooting so many local music artists from all types of genres. Many of them becoming friends along the way. They exposed me to my local music scene even more.
Many of my shots come from local hip hop and punk shows. This is where I found my niche for photography. I love the movement and the high action. I love throwing myself in a pit, camera in hand, ready to risk it for a shot. Through these shows, I’ve made a lot of meaningful and lasting connections with people who really enjoy the story I tell with my camera. I’ve met so many amazing artists of all types through my lens. Singers, rappers, bands, painters, and fellow photographers as well. The talent here in Long Beach is never-ending. I’m constantly finding out about a new band or artist to check out. The community here in Long Beach is very close-knit. We love to see each other prosper and shine.
Through those connections, I’ve been able to go on and shoot bigger events like Tom’s Weekend at Palms Springs Pride with The Ace Hotel (A pride weekend event presented by The Tom Finland Foundation). I’ve also had the opportunity to shoot for Long Beach Walls (a local mural festival) and The City of Long Beach. But the most rewarding events I get to be a part of are the local ones where I get to see my fellow creatives flourish and I get to capture it on camera.
I’ve shot for many local collectives here in Long Beach. All of them amazing and doing cool things. Fight Club (a hip hop and r&b night), Secret Service (a collective hosting house and techo events in and around LB), Quarantine Records (a hip hop and rock music label), Research + Development (a collective showcasing LB’s best dis), and FantasySuite.LA (a thick and queer pole dance collective).
Another one I have shot for and owe a lot to is Be Here Now Affairs. They showcase all types of local musicians and artists. My friends Vanessa and London host events for anyone and everyone to enjoy. From Dark Wave to Funk, the artists in this collective book cover a wide range of tastes. But on a more personal note, they gave me my first big photo exhibition recently, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
As of late, I have taken a step back from shooting (as often) and focusing on curating my work. I’ve been booked for a few exhibitions this year so far, and I have another in August. It’s given me a new love and a new eye for my work. It’s been amazingly interesting seeing the feedback on my photos and seeing how people react to it. I just wanna keep doing more and more exhibits! Hopefully, it will lead to a career in this. Maybe even a gallery residency. I’m not exactly sure what’s next for me. But I’m excited to find out.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I have gone through more than my fair share of hardships and issues. And I’ve learned very valuable lessons from them. But it doesn’t mean I don’t kick myself in the butt about it often.
I’ve lost out on very good work and client relationships because I still wasn’t taking things seriously. I was finding anxiety in things I needed to do for my work. And it was shedding a bad light on me as a professional. I’m still being harsh on myself mentally for that. But I’m learning to just see past what I’ve lost and making sure I take steps to not have things like that happen again. But it’s hard.
I’ve learned that you take everyone on this journey with you. No relationship is worth questioning yourself over it. People in any capacity are here for a moment. That moment may not be as long as we want it to be, and that’s okay. I’m learning to be less…resentful in this line of work. Not all relationships equal friendships. Not everyone you work with will respect your time, energy, or talent, and that’s okay too. I’m learning my worth daily, in and out of my art.
Also, get insurance on your equipment. Invest in backups. Don’t be careless with your very expensive stuff. I’ve broken a camera and two lenses. All in a year. That’s a bad track record.
But most importantly, don’t lose sight of why you started what you love, and have fun doing it always.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I work in digital and film photography. I specialize in live events and concert photography. I haven’t pinpointed what I’m known for just yet. It used to be my work ethic but I’ve gotten lazy haha. I think I’m just known for really getting in there and doing what I need to get the shot that I envision. I’m also known for just having fun. I have so many photos and videos people have gotten of me moshing and running around with my camera so recklessly. It’s a bad habit.
I’m proud of the place where I am now. Not quite where I want to be but so much farther than where I was with so much more to accomplish. Picking photos for exhibits has made me fall in love with my work in a new way. I’m beginning to see what others see. I cried about it recently. Being interviewed by Voyage is something I’ve wanted to happen for a long time. So, I’m proud of myself for seeing past my obstacles and just being here today.
Contact Info:
- Website: fivepercentbatterylife.com
- Instagram: @fivepercentbatterylife
Image Credit:
Personal Portrait: @hoodbeyonce
