Sam Picture

Sam Picture

Sam Picture

Sam Picture • Sam Picture • Sam Picture •

Bringing old school photo vibes to today’s punk scene

February 8, 2024

Photos by Sam Picture * Text by Rich Hayden

I try to hit one or two shows a week. I’ll ask around the scene or scroll through social media for something that catches my eye and hope I land someplace cool. After all that searching, if I show up to a show and see Sam Picture there with his camera, I know I just hit pay dirt. It’s going to be great night.

If musicians speak through lyrics, we photographers speak through images. Sam’s photos are lyrical in that sense. They are testimonials to the scene and his time in it. Originally from South Pasadena, he’s been photographing for three and a half years but has been going to shows since the 1980s. All of the music comes through the lens and comes out in the photos. So if you ever see him at a show doing what he does best, know that you’ve just gotten lucky too.

You can find him on IG at @crowncitykid

Note: Top page photo of B.E.G., bottom page photo of Smierc