Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Sturk.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up in Billerica, Massachusetts, just outside of Boston. My parents were heavily involved in music and the arts, so creativity was always a big part of my life. From an early age, I was surrounded by music, photography, and artistic expression, all of which had a major influence on who I became. My older brother was also a significant inspiration. He went on to become a successful designer and artist, and watching his creative journey reinforced my own passion for the arts.
One of my earliest memories is seeing the famous Afghan Girl photograph by Steve McCurry on the cover of National Geographic. I was captivated by it. Even as a child, I could feel the emotion and intensity in that image. It was the first time I realized that a single photograph could tell a story and create a powerful emotional connection without a single word being spoken.
Photography was also a constant presence in my home. My mother always had a camera with her and documented our lives with a 35mm point-and-shoot camera. Because of that, I grew up appreciating the importance of preserving moments and telling stories through images.
As a teenager, I started a band with some friends, and music quickly became a major part of my identity. I always knew I wanted to work in a creative field, and after college I pursued opportunities in radio. I worked at several radio stations, spent time on air, and had the chance to interview musicians and bands. Those experiences gave me a deeper connection to the music industry and helped shape the direction I wanted to take professionally.
In my early twenties, I purchased my first DSLR camera, a Nikon D40 with two lenses. To be honest, I had no idea what I was doing at first, but I was eager to learn. I photographed everything I could and spent countless hours practicing. I attended local festivals, photographed a few bands, and slowly developed my skills through trial, error, and experience.
After some time, an established local band asked me to photograph one of their performances at The Pour House in Raleigh, North Carolina. I immediately jumped at the opportunity. Looking back, that show was a turning point for me. It was the moment I realized how much I loved photographing live music and capturing the energy and connection between artists and audiences.
A few years later, a friend I had worked with in radio reached out and asked if I would be interested in photographing a concert at Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek. My first instinct was to say no because I didn’t think I was ready. I doubted whether I had enough experience or was good enough for an opportunity of that size. But after giving it some thought, I realized that growth often comes from stepping outside your comfort zone. The next day, I called her back and said yes.
That show, in front of a sold-out crowd of more than 20,000 people, was my first experience working in the world of professional music media photography. Standing there and documenting a major concert from a media perspective was an incredible experience. I knew immediately that this was exactly what I wanted to do.
From there, I fully committed to my music photography journey and founded f28 Music Media Live. In the beginning, it was just me, and during that first year I covered nearly 200 shows. It was a tremendous amount of work, but I loved every minute of it. Over time, f28 Music Media Live has grown into a respected media outlet with a talented team of contributors who share the same passion for documenting live music and telling the stories behind the artists, performances, and fans that make the music community so special.
Today, what continues to inspire me is the same thing that first sparked my interest as a child: seeing that National Geographic cover, watching my mother document life through her camera, and being surrounded by creative people who believed in the power of art. I still believe that a single image can capture an unforgettable moment, evoke emotion, and tell a powerful story without saying a word.
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?
When I started f28 Music Media Live, I heard “no” far more often than I heard “yes.” For nearly a year, almost every request I submitted to cover a show was rejected. It was discouraging at times, but I also understood that building something from the ground up is never easy, regardless of what your dream may be.
I remember one particular moment about a year into the process. After months of constant rejection, I sent a request to a publicist hoping to gain access to a show. When the response came back, it was another rejection. At that moment, I seriously questioned whether I should continue. There is only so much rejection a person can take before they begin to wonder if it’s time to move on.
Instead of walking away, I gave myself a few days to process the disappointment. I allowed myself to feel frustrated, but I also reminded myself why I started in the first place. Once I had some perspective, I got back to work and started reaching out again.
There were financial challenges as well. At one point, my camera was destroyed after falling from a tripod. I couldn’t afford to immediately replace it, so I went several months without a camera. To raise enough money for another used camera, I sold personal items on Craigslist and did whatever I could to keep pursuing my goal.
Those experiences taught me that challenges are inevitable. Success often comes down to how well you adapt, stay resilient, and keep moving forward when things don’t go according to plan.
At the same time, I tried to remain realistic. I told myself that if I couldn’t gain any traction after a year and a half, it might be time to reevaluate my path. Fortunately, before reaching that point, I finally received an approval to cover a show. It may have seemed like a small opportunity to others, but for me it was a breakthrough. That single “yes” became the foundation that helped me begin building f28 Music Media Live into what it is today.
Looking back, I’m grateful for all of those setbacks because they taught me persistence, patience, and the importance of believing in something even when nobody else sees the vision yet. Sometimes all it takes is one opportunity to change everything.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in live music and portrait photography. When I first started, I photographed everything that moved on stage. I would come home from a show with thousands of images, hoping that somewhere in that collection I had captured something meaningful.
As I gained experience over the years, I learned that great photography isn’t about taking more photos. It’s about recognizing the right moment. Today, I spend time observing the artist, watching how they move, understanding the energy of the performance, and following the flow of the set. I allow myself moments to simply watch and anticipate. Those subtle cues often reveal what might happen next and help me position myself to capture something special.
Every show has its own personality, and every genre of music has a different energy. My goal is to adapt to that environment and tell the story of the performance as authentically as possible. I’m far more interested in creating one powerful image that captures the emotion, energy, and essence of an artist than taking hundreds of images that don’t communicate anything meaningful. Light also plays a huge role in my work. I follow the light as much as I follow the artist because it helps create the mood and emotion that bring an image to life.
The thing I’m most proud of is my personal growth as a photographer. Early on, I learned to embrace failure rather than fear it. Every mistake became a learning opportunity, and every challenge helped me improve. One quote that has always resonated with me comes from Rocky: “It’s not about how hard you can hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.” That mindset has been a guiding principle throughout my photography journey. I know, its cheesy but true.
As for what sets me apart, I honestly don’t think of it that way. There are countless talented photographers doing incredible work. I’ve always tried to focus less on competing with others and more on improving myself. I let my work speak for itself and concentrate on creating images that are meaningful to me.
If people connect with my work, that’s incredibly rewarding. If they don’t, that’s okay too. Photography, like any form of art, is subjective. What matters most is continuing to learn, grow, and remain open to feedback. I’ve always believed that constructive criticism is one of the most valuable tools for improvement. No one knows everything, and some of the most important lessons I’ve learned have come from listening to others, gaining experience, and staying willing to evolve as both a photographer and a person.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is to allow yourself to fail. Failure is inevitable, but it doesn’t have to define you. When you learn to embrace it, learn from it, and use it to improve, it becomes part of your growth. Every setback has the potential to move you forward if you’re willing to learn from it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.f28live.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/f28musicmedialive/
