Life & Work with Aliyah Hinckley of Northridge

Today we’d like to introduce you to Aliyah Hinckley

Aliyah, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born and raised in Humboldt County, California, and my passion for photography began in 8th grade when I had the opportunity to assist with the school yearbook. It was a small but pivotal moment that sparked my interest in photography. My dad bought me my first camera and I continued to grow my skills, taking photos of nature and landscapes then sports and school events, which ignited a new passion for capturing action shots and memories.
During the pandemic, my interest in storytelling deepened, and I became captivated by interviews, whether through reading or watching them. Unraveling stories ultimately inspired me to major in journalism. I also did a deep dive into K-pop during this time, where I discovered the different photoshoot concepts tied to each album comeback. This exploration sparked a renewed interest in photography, especially in how the photos could tell dynamic, evolving stories in creative ways.
When I transferred to California State University, Northridge (CSUN) in Los Angeles, I brought that passion with me and began photographing for my college newspaper. That experience led to my role as the photo editor, where I gained new perspectives on both the creative and logistical sides of photography. Outside of school, my love for photography grew even more, especially after I started attending live concerts. My love of K-pop, combined with a History of Rock class I took during community college, made me realize that concert photography could be a potential path for me—especially in Los Angeles, where the music scene is alive, historically rich, and culturally vibrant. I’ve always loved music, but growing up in a smaller town, we didn’t have the same access to concerts as big cities or Los Angeles. Music photography quickly became a huge part of my creative journey. The semester I transferred to Los Angeles, I was given a chance to photograph Mark Tuan’s concert at the El Rey Theatre for a publication named HALSUG. I’m forever grateful I took that chance because it began the start of my music photography career/journey.
Recently, I have had the opportunity to photograph behind-the-scenes (BTS) moments on student film sets, which sparked a new interest in shooting BTS content—not just for films, but also for dance which I have been given the opportunity to photograph BTS for the Northridge Street Dancers (performance-based dance team) at CSUN. In the future, I would love to photograph music videos and other photoshoots as well.
A big part of my growth has come from connecting with others—whether through social media, attending guest speaker events, in class, at a concert, or simply reaching out to people in the industry. I’ve learned a lot from these experiences, and I’m constantly inspired by the support and insights of others. Sharing my work on platforms like Instagram has also helped me stay connected with people and maintain a place to showcase my photos as I continue to grow in this field.
Somewhere in between all of this, I’ve always had my parents and grandparents, who would take photographs or film home movies. I’ve always loved looking back at those moments, reliving them through photos, and hearing the stories that accompany them. It’s those memories—tangible and full of personal history—that inspire me to create similar lasting moments for others through my own photography.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My path has been a journey of navigating uncertainty and overcoming personal challenges. I’ve had my fair share of moments where I wasn’t sure of my direction—whether it was figuring out my career, dealing with shyness that made it hard to assert myself, or facing the setbacks of COVID-19.
What did I want to be when I grew up? The options were endless: actor on Disney Channel or Nickelodeon, be a singer, become a backup dancer for Missy Elliott, or play in the WNBA. These were my dreams before high school. Early on, I thought I’d become an athletic trainer or physical therapist. In high school, I worked as a student trainer, and I was passionate about helping athletes prevent or recover from injuries. But then, I shifted my focus to becoming a pediatrician, driven by my desire to work with children. I had a conversation with my academic counselor in community college who suggested I flip a coin to help make the decision. When the coin landed on becoming a pediatrician, I realized it didn’t excite me the way I thought it would. That was a turning point. Short, sweet, and simple (well took a lot of thought so not as simple haha but it was kind of easy to change to do what I loved). I’m so grateful for that moment because it ultimately —and the creative influences and support from my parents—led me to photography, which I truly love.
Photography has allowed me to combine my passions—especially music—by capturing artists as they grow, performing in iconic venues, and creating unforgettable memories on stage. While I’m not a singer or musician myself, I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of their journey, hearing their stories through both interviews and photographs. It’s truly fulfilling to support these artists, tell their stories, and help preserve memories they can look back on.
The pandemic was challenging in many ways. But it gave me time to reflect and learn a lot about myself. College, along with the experiences of the pandemic, allowed me to explore parts of my identity I hadn’t fully taken the time to understand before. Growing up as one of the few Asian (Laotian) Americans in school, I wasn’t exposed to many Asian or Asian American artists, and I rarely saw myself represented in the media—it was almost nonexistent. But through college, I’ve been able to discover and connect with so much more, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to see more Asian voices and stories being shared in the creative world.
I’ve also learned from my mistakes and the opportunities I didn’t take. Being shy has often held me back, but I’ve realized that I need to push past that and take chances. I’m still working on that because I’m always going to be a little shy and awkward haha but I’m fortunate to have friends and parents who are always there to motivate and support me.
I’m grateful that I’m now doing what I love. It’s not always easy I’m still learning, but it’s worth it, and the journey has been really cool.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a photographer and photojournalist, and I currently serve as the photo editor for my college newspaper, The Daily Sundial. I also volunteer my writing and photography skills for various publications. So far, I’ve had the opportunity to cover everything from grand openings and guest speakers to music events, but there’s so much more I want to write about and capture in the future. Through my work with the newspaper and other publications, I’ve had the privilege of photographing artists like LØREN, Hannah Bahng, Travis Japan, Katherine Li, JUST B, and many more. I’ve also had the chance to interview incredible people like Gina Alice, AleXa, JOSEON, and ALL(H)OURS.
I’m known for being the “Newsroom Treasure” ha just joking (my manager, publisher, editor-in-chief, and managing editor joked about if I ever got interviewed I would mention this sweet title I was given by them as I’m grateful for their support and to work with them all). What I’m actually known for is my concert and music photography, sports photography, behind-the-scenes, and dance photography. I want to try doing more editorial fashion photoshoots in the near future too. I’m proud of pushing myself to take on more opportunities and to meet so many talented people along the way. I’ve learned that you really have to step out of your comfort zone—especially as an introvert like me—and not be afraid to interact with people to create meaningful work. The best part is when the people I photograph tell me how the photos made them feel. Besides doing it for my enjoyment, it’s those moments that remind me of why I do photography.
My goal is always to capture what people give me ideas of but also to show them something they might not have even realized they were looking for. I’ve learned a lot about myself through this process, and every shoot is an opportunity to step outside of my comfort zone. I get especially proud when I’m able to freeze a moment in time that tells a deeper story beyond what’s visible.
There was one show I photographed where the stage lights hit the drums perfectly, illuminating the cymbals and that area of the stage in a way that made it mesmerizing. If I could’ve found the lighting person, I’d have given them a big hug! It’s moments like those—those subtle things people might not notice—that I love capturing. I always aim to shoot it the way I see it, through my eyes, to show others the beauty of the moment. And when someone else recognizes that and connects with it, it’s like we’re sharing a special, unspoken experience.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Every year, I looked forward to my elementary school’s Global Fair, where we explored different countries through food, crafts, and activities. We would choose a few classrooms, each decorated to represent a different country, and get a ‘passport’ to learn about its history and culture. That event sparked my curiosity about the world, and it planted the seed for my love of travel. Now, I’m still driven by that same sense of adventure, dreaming of traveling the world—especially to Laos, where my family lives—and/or even exploring the concert venues just across the highway from me. I want to capture the stories and cultures of different countries through my photography, wherever my journey may take me.
Asia and Europe are at the top of my travel list, and I’m always excited by the idea of experiencing new places, people, and traditions. I’ve also always dreamed of moving to Los Angeles, and it’s surreal to think that the little girl who once dreamed of being an actor is now living out her dreams in LA, still connected to entertainment and music. It’s a reminder of how far I’ve come and how much more I still want to explore, both personally and professionally.

Pricing:

• Pricing depends on the specific event or occasion being photographed. I’m always open to discussing prices.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://aliyahhinckleyphotography.wordpress.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aliyahhphotos/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliyah-hinckley-891557246
• Twitter: https://x.com/HinckleyAliyah5

Image Credits
Personal photo taken by Natalia Deheza. Additional photos photographed by me (Aliyah Hinckley).