Meet Peyton Hammack | Concert Photographer & Videographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Peyton Hammack and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Peyton, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I can vividly remember attending a concert at Banita Creek in Nacogdoches Texas, and mind you this was a birthday celebration for myself. I was excited. But instead of taking in and enjoying the show i sat and watched the photographer for an hour and a half. Dreaming of what her life was like, being involved the way it was. I knew by the end of the night, i want to do that. That will be me.

I knew i had the talent and the knowledge, i had owned a portrait and wedding photography business for 4 years prior to this date, it was just a matter of when i wanted to start the climb to get there. 23 days later, i was working for an artist and absolutely fell in love with the entirety of that job. Its an addiction now, one i dont want to quit.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a Freelance Concert Photographer, i sell out to bands in the DFW area to capture live images and film of their concerts & behind the scenes life.
The way i would describe my craft to others is very cinematic & lifestyle, i look for the moments on stage that an artist/musician is lost. As in, they are so connected in the energy of what they are providing their crowd, you can see they aren’t on the stage anymore. Candid photography has always been a love of mine and this job has really opened the doors to the opportunity to capture a more intimate and real side of the word candid. Im most proud of the opportunity i have recieved with the publication “Red Dirt Media”. They appy for Live Nation events and send out an artist to capture the event to then write reviews on. Bryan, my partner in these events has been such a joy to work with. He has helped give me opportunities to take photos of Tanya Tucker & Ryan Bingham. I was also able to on my own get a gig with Zach Top, one of the biggest names in the industry right now. He played a little dive bar in Terrel a couple years ago, ya know, the kind that people still smoke cigarettes in! It was AMAZING.

Getting to where i am now in this moment was most definitely a challenge. I was a very insecure person at the beginning of my music photography career. It took literally putting myself in rooms i knew i would feel uncomfortable in and forcing myself to take chances. Today, i am a joyful & outgoing ball of energy inside of green rooms and event halls. I belong there. It took a very very long time to realize that i belong in every room i step foot in.

The biggest lesson ive learned since starting this whole thing is that you miss every shot you dont take. And to chase your dreams, because if you dont, someone else will.
Id want the world to know that i am a product of everything my life has been up until now. And i am damn proud of that. My energy and personality reflect that. And i will always stand up for the weak ones in the room with me. I want my brand and my presence to be a safe place. A learning room. I wish i could call my younger self and tell her who she is now & all the things shes gotten to do.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Rhinestone Saloon! For live music!
Tulips Fort Worth for live music aswell.

Drinks, find a truck yard/second rodeo! Theyve got a great atmosphere!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I cannot think of any other names than Ryder Grimes, David Adam Byrnes & Reed McDonald

Both Ryder and Reed saw the drive in me & have given me countless opportunities to chase after this crazy dream.

I worked with Ryder for about the first 3-4 months i was in the music industry. And once i realized the freelance opportunity, Reed kind of took me in. He was managing Hanks Texas Bar & Grill in McKinney, Texas at the time. Called me when he needed media and also answered everytime i asked for a gig. Both of these guys are extremely important to me & i know through all of these years i will ALWAYS have a friend and mentor in the both of them.

Currently i am touring with David Adam Byrnes and his band! Man! has it been fun.

I remember seeing a “media wanted” ad posted for this crew & had, in the past, worked a show with them. I knew. Something in me just knew this is where i was supposed to go!
He let me in on his craft with open arms. Has taught me things daily & cares about my goals. I had never connected with an artist the way David and i have! We chat about his experience &he tells me all the cool stories of life in Nashville! I don’t think ive told him yet but, those front seat conversations on the way to venues are probably my favorite part of our weekends on the road. We agree on just about every topic under the sun. The knowledge he has poured on me has changed my career path & plans tremendously!

I am so grateful to David, Eddie, Kody, Evan & Colby for loving on a small town girl who has no idea what she is doing but is hard headed enough to not back down. Its not lost on me how blessed i am to have found a camp like them. Im excited for the rest of this year!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peyton.scout28?igsh=eWF2bDNjY3Q0MXVn&utm_source=qr

Image Credits
All photos are captured by Peyton Hammack with Peyton Scout Photography