Today we’d like to introduce you to Daphne McKinney.
Hi Daphne, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in West Virginia. I don’t remember a time in my life when I wasn’t completely consumed by music. I think the moment I got my first car; I was already planning what concert I could drive to. We never seemed to have any concerts where I was from so I started finding my way to places. I took some long road trips and was usually sneaking in my camera. I did find some small local shows occasionally too and the bands were always happy to let me come to photograph their shows. I didn’t really know what I was doing but I definitely tried.
I spent a lot of years doing that but in 2013 I moved to North Carolina. I was so excited when I realized any artist I wanted to see would play barely an hour away from my new home. Sometimes it would only be a 15-minute drive down the road! That was a huge contrast from the 3-hour plus drive I used to have to take! Once I started going to some concerts, I’d occasionally see some photographers around and I thought, “Hey I know how to do that!” I didn’t really know anyone yet, I followed social media pages and eventually saw a post from I’m Music Magazine asking for contributing photographers. I wrote them immediately, singing my own praises, telling them I’m amazing. Obviously. I didn’t have much to back it up, I had a few photos dating more than 10 years before. I didn’t get much of a response, but I was always told if you wanted a job to keep letting them know you are still interested. I think it took about 6 months of wearing my editor (Johnny) down via email before he finally gave in.
Now over 7 years later, I still work for I’m Music Magazine. Every single concert I went to on assignment I continued networking and meeting new people, discovering new artists and new venues. A couple of years ago I was entrusted to build our new website when we got a little bigger than anticipated and were running out of space. So, now I’m helping to keep our website running smoothly, I help on our social media channels, and the past few years I have averaged about 200 different artists a year that I photograph or review for I’m Music Magazine. It’s a crazy amount but I love it.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s definitely not a smooth road. My biggest struggle has been my own health. Most people might know me as the quiet person that stays over to the side. I carry a portable fan, I have my earplugs in before the music even starts, I stay in the shade if we’re outside. I’ve had chronic migraines for the past 35 years now. I actually never imagined I would be doing this. I spent a great deal of my life in bed with the assumption I’d never do anything. It made me appreciate every single good moment I have now. I never take them for granted. I learned the things I need to do to make it through. Sometimes I thought it was a terrible mistake, and I was going home at the end of the night crying. But I always got up the next day and went back to it. Because I just love it so much. I’ve been really fortunate to have the opportunity to follow around my very favorite bands, the ones I listened to in my room at my parents’ house all through my teen years. I’ve discovered new bands, sometimes even seeing artists playing their first ever concert. I’ve been in a room where only 5 people showed up and I’ve been at a stadium where over 80,000 people showed up. That’s exciting!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a photographer and I specialize in concert photography. I’ve worked for different artists and promoters around the Carolinas and elsewhere. I’m known for being a lead photographer at I’m Music Magazine where I have helped build us up for over 7 years now. I am addicted to music and I kind of want to see everyone live at least once. People like to ask me about my favorite artists I have gotten to cover for IMM and there are so many! Last year, I was able to photograph Pearl Jam and then only a month later was able to photograph Ringo Starr. Those will forever stick out as extremely proud moments because they exceeded any dream I ever had about photographing. I’m also very proud of the column I created called I’m Music Carolinas, where I try to showcase as many local bands as possible.
I have an insane appreciation for multiple kinds of music. However, my favorite is metal. I always tell people I just want to spend every night at a different metal show. Those aren’t necessarily always big shows; most are in smaller venues. But I find that more exciting. I like to capture performances in a way that lets the viewer feel like they were there. I love to show lots of action on stage but also include the crowd whenever possible. I like doing a few extreme close-ups of artists to showcase their beauty because I find so many just so naturally perfect. But I also like to hang around in the back or the middle of a pit and give you a sense of being in the middle of that crowd. I always hope people can live vicariously through my photographs.
What were you like growing up?
I was 100% the shyest and quietest kid in every room. I wanted to be in my own room with my music and a book. I had friends in school, but I wasn’t ever going anywhere outside of school with friends. I didn’t really “hang out” much. I don’t have crazy stories of things I did with friends because I’d rather be in my room. I remember the three things I just couldn’t live without were music, cats, and boots. Now as a 49-year-old, I still can’t live without those things. I was also really into school and learning; I loved going to school. As it turns out, I’m still like that too. In May, I graduated with an associate’s degree and am currently working on a bachelor’s degree in business while simultaneously taking some photography courses at the local college. Because you can absolutely always learn new things.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://daphnemckinney.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imdaphs/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/imdaphs/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daphne-mckinney/
- Other: https://im-musicmagazine.com/
