In freshman year, junior Emily Haworth received a life-changing gift from her aunt: a Sony DSC HX 80 camera.
Soon after, she began using it to take photos at the concerts she attends regularly. One of those artists, Chloe George, liked Haworth’s photo so much she asked Haworth to make it her official cover art.
Haworth found out at school during lunch last April when she opened her Instagram direct messages to see a notification from Goerge — a pop artist with over 150,000 monthly Spotify listeners. In the message, George was asking for Haworth’s permission to use a concert photo she had taken on March 5, 2024, at the Fox Theater, as her new single’s cover.
“I almost didn’t post the photo because I was having such a hard time trying to edit it,” Haworth said.
Haworth remembers being in shock for the rest of the day. She quickly found herself sending back-and-forth emails with George’s manager and completing legal procedures; before she knew it, her photo became the cover of George’s single “Heart of Glass.”
Over the last three years, Haworth has taken more than 150,000 concert photos at the 34 concerts she has attended, capturing images of many well-known artists such as Taylor Swift, Suki Waterhouse, Gracie Abrams, Clairo, Lana Del Rey, Charli XCX and The Marías.
Haworth regularly posts concert photos on her Instagram account (@emilysfilmpix) as a hobby. Though she went to her first concert — a show from Selena Gomez’s Revival Tour — in second grade, it wasn’t until her sophomore year that Haworth started attending concerts more frequently and began posting monthly on her Instagram account.
Haworth has also invested in more camera equipment: In addition to her Sony DSC HX 80, she also now owns a film camera — an Olympus Superzoom 160 G — and a polaroid camera — a Taylor Swift edition Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6. She uses the film camera for a more unique, retro look and the polaroid camera for more control on the photo’s subject.
Drawing inspiration from Instagram photography influencers such as @pawprints777, Haworth uses Adobe Lightroom to set the mood she wants from concert photos. She enjoys the freedom the software gives her, as well as the easy-to-use essential features.
“I think about how I can make my photo feel like the moment and be timeless,” she said.
Haworth also tries to emulate a film look at times by reducing the clarity of the subject; even if it doesn’t turn out looking like film, she enjoys the different directions she can take. The process is time consuming — she can pour hours into editing concert photos. It takes multiple revisions over the span of up to several weeks for her to feel confident enough to post a set of photos.
In addition to snapping a photo for George’s single cover, Haworth has had multiple interactions with other notable artists. Haworth’s photography has been reposted by Waxahatchee, a musical band with over one million monthly Spotify listeners, and also by bedroom pop artist Dora Jar.
Haworth received her aunt’s gift of a Sony DSC HX 80 camera freshman year.
The Marîas on the opening night of their tour, taken at the Fox Theater.
Detailed shot of Ethel Cain in Big Sur.
A photo of Waxahatchee taken on film at the Fox Theater.
Suki Waterhouse performs live at the Warfield in San Francisco.
Photography has been a journey of self-trust and confidence for Haworth as well. She regretted missing photo opportunities in the past because she felt too self-conscious to pull her camera out in front of a crowd. Now, she’s much more confident in getting photos even if it means standing out in a large group.
“At first, I didn’t believe in myself and I didn’t think that my photos could have meaning to somebody,” Haworth said. “[But the key is just to] put yourself out there and just take it.”
