I began my photography career in the Spring of 1999 after purchasing my first camera and enrolling in my first photography course at Mira Costa Community College. Today, at the age of 24, I am in my second semester at the California College of the Arts, based in Oakland, working on a BFA in photography with a possible double major in printmaking. Since the Spring of '99, my camera has been with me at pretty much every show I was able to get a camera into.
Capturing the energy of a live band and documenting my experiences while attending the performances of some of my favorite bands has since been a large part of my life. Music has driven my life, sometimes more than I wish, since I was only a couple years old. My parents tell stories of me walking around our coffee table, with what they say, "was a very serious look," on my face. They did not figure out that what I was doing was dancing, until they realized the pattern of me stopping every time the record would end. Some of my early favorites were the Talking Heads, the Cars, and the Rolling Stones.
This love for music continued on and grew with the energy and ideas expressed in the music of bands such as FUGAZI and the DEAD KENNEDYS. My parents bought me a drum set in the winter of 1996 and I took drum lessons for the eight years following. Playing on and off with friends, whether consistent or not, I always have made sure to get on the kit a couple times a week.
Although, as a student I am not allowed as much time to make it to as many shows as I would like, I have made it to a handful since I've been up here. Some of which include, Sun City Girls, Hot Snakes, DJ Hell, and most recently Death in June.
LONNIE DEAN