The Moment I Photographed Janelle Monáe — and What It Taught Me About Presence
Last weekend, I had the honor of photographing Janelle Monáe during her set at Wonderfront Festival in San Diego — the city I call home and the backdrop of so many of my creative chapters.
Janelle was on tour, electrifying the stage with a performance that was, in a word, alive. Not just technically brilliant — but soul-forward, unfiltered, and utterly present. I was lucky enough to shoot with a “god pass”, which gave me access to photograph her performance as well as other artists like Orion Sun, another creative force who brought deep, reflective energy to the stage.
Photographing Presence, Not Just Performance
As a photographer focused on editorial storytelling and artist-aligned work, what I look for isn’t just the light or the angle — it’s the moment where the artist forgets they’re being seen. The way Janelle occupied that stage? That was presence. She wasn’t performing for us — she was simply existing with us. That’s rare.
I shot on both digital and film, leaning into the raw, tactile feel of 35mm to catch the in-between — the smirk between lyrics, the sweat along the collarbone, the eye contact that cuts through the crowd.
The film isn’t developed yet, and still — I can feel it humming. Can’t wait to see what we got.
What This Teaches Me as a Photographer
Photographing Janelle Monáe reminded me why I do what I do.
It’s not about volume. It’s not about perfection. It’s about creating images that honor the artist’s energy without interrupting their flow.
That’s the foundation of TIKA Studios — editorial photography rooted in presence, cinematic style, and respect for the creative pulse of the moment. Whether I’m documenting a tour stop, shooting an editorial campaign, or capturing behind-the-scenes moments for an artist’s next era, I aim to preserve the truth of who they are, not just how they look.
Based in San Diego, Creating Everywhere
This moment was a full-circle one — photographing one of my dream artists while she's on tour, in my own city, alongside other talents like Orion Sun. San Diego is where I live, but the creative vision travels. If you're an artist, creative director, or publication looking to collaborate on tour photography, live performance documentation, or editorial portraiture, I’m ready.
The stage may be temporary, but the image? That’s the part that lasts.
Looking to work together? Reach out here or check out my Portfolio to see more editorial and live music work.
