I was introduced to Wide Angle Youth Media in the summer before my freshman year of high school through Baltimore's YouthWorks program. The summer program was my first consistent exposure to media arts, software, and production. I didn’t know at the time that I would start down a path in photography and videography, but I do remember really enjoying getting the opportunity to learn some Photoshop basics that I would soon use more regularly. It was also a fun and collaborative environment as I had old friends who coincidentally got placed into the same program and met some new friends who were further along on their art journey than I was. The staff at Wide Angle were super supportive and helpful and made the program fun, interesting, and challenging. There is no doubt that the experience that summer pointed me toward the Baltimore School for The Arts where I would study as a stage design and production major and further develop a wide range of media production skills.

My experiences at Wide Angle have helped far more than I ever imagined with my career pathway. At the time that I was admitted into the program, I was unsure of my interest in media. I didn't care much about cameras (especially the old ones), software, or production, but thought that Wide Angle would still be more fun than some of the other available programs for a 14-year-old. I remember being surprised with how fun photo editing on Photoshop could be. The project I remember most vividly was an edit of a photo of the rapper Lil Yachty. All I really did was turn the whole photo black and white except for his hair and grillz, but I still thought it was the coolest thing.

Fast forward to now, 6 years later, and I now specialize in hip-hop photography, athlete profiles, and sporting events as a freelancer. My favorite part is still the editing, which I think is what separates my work from other photographers. I still use experimental and creative solutions in Photoshop and other programs just like how I did at Wide Angle. But now, the photos are taken by me.

Some of the bigger names you’ll find highlighted on my website and IG include Keke Palmer, Glorilla, Rico Nasty, Shenseea, Rubi Rose, and boxing champions Tank Davis and Devin Haney. I network to get in touch with artists, athletes, and promoters to first be allowed to tag along and photograph them at concerts or special events. Immediately after the show, I edit a few of the best shots so they can quickly get them up on their social media. One of my Glorilla pics received over 6 million views within a few hours after posting!

I’m also still a full-time college student, so I’m hoping to have gained enough traction in my hip-hop and athletes’ portfolio to catch on as their main photographer or a promoter’s/agent’s go-to photographer after graduation. In the meantime, I’ve also started a sideline business taking senior portraits at college, custom modeling shoots, and occasional nightclub gigs. It all feeds back into the networking and self-brand building that all artists need to succeed.

Photography by Josh Nass

Learn more about Josh at joshnassphotography.com

MEET THE AUTHOR

Josh is a Baltimore/DC-based freelance photographer and a junior at the University of Maryland, College Park where he’s pursuing his bachelor’s degree in information science.  As a high school graduate of The Baltimore School for the Arts, he’s honed his subject-based style to give each of his shoots for celebrities, musicians, athletes, and models, a unique “wow “ factor.” Josh typically shoots with a Sony A7Riii.