Conversations with Stephanie Sheronovich

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Sheronovich.

Hi Stephanie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve been playing with cameras for as long as I can remember—it’s always been something that fascinated me, right alongside live music. My mom also worked as a photographer for a while, so it was always around me growing up.

In high school, I actually tried to take a photography class but got rejected. I didn’t really revisit it until after college graduation, when I landed a job taking school portraits. That experience taught me so much, and I fell in love with photography enough to buy my own camera.

Fast forward to Fall 2021—I went to a concert and noticed someone running around on stage with a camera. I was instantly intrigued. When I got home, I started researching how people even get into concert photography. One piece of advice that kept coming up was to reach out to local bands and offer to photograph their shows to build a portfolio. So, I did just that. My first show was Spirit of the Bear’s annual Black Friday concert at Westside Bowl in Youngstown, and I immediately knew I was hooked.

After shooting a few more local shows for free, one of Westside Bowl’s owners, Nate Offerdahl, invited me to photograph a show there. That night, he told me if it went well, I could become their in-house photographer. The rest is history. Within six months, I was able to quit my day job and go full-time. I’ve been the in-house photographer at Westside Bowl ever since! Alongside that, I also photograph for Opus One Productions, a concert promoter in Pittsburgh, and Merged Media Co., an online publication.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road—but I think that’s part of being a creative, a small business owner, and honestly, just life in general. You learn from the bumps along the way. Building a life around art forces you to meet yourself more deeply than almost anything else will.

I’ve had to navigate mental health challenges, frequent burnout, and, even to this day, constant rejection. I’ve also dealt with sexism and sexual harassment in the industry. On top of that, most of the work is freelance, which can make income unpredictable. And the path forward isn’t always clear, which can feel scary at times.

But with all that said, the positives far outweigh the struggles. The joy, the community, and the fulfillment I get from this work are what keep me going. I wouldn’t still be on this path if it didn’t feel worth it.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a full-time live music and portrait photographer, and over the past four years I’ve photographed more than 2,000 artists across every genre you can imagine. My work centers around capturing the energy, emotion, and connection between artists and their audiences. I also love supporting people in following their wildest dreams—because I know firsthand it’s not an easy path—and I’m proud that my photography can play a small part in amplifying their journey.

What I’m most proud of is that I’ve built a career entirely around my love of live music—something that once felt like a far-off dream. I think what really sets me apart is my willingness to step outside the status quo and lean into the things that creatively scare me. That mindset pushes me to experiment, evolve, and take risks with my work, which keeps it authentic and exciting both for me and for the artists I collaborate with.

What are your plans for the future?
I don’t have any big changes on the horizon right now—but in this industry, things can shift quickly. For me, the dream is to eventually go on tour as a photographer. I’d love to travel the world documenting live music and supporting artists in bringing their vision to life. In the meantime, I’m focused on continuing to grow, refine my craft, and say yes to opportunities that move me closer to that goal.

I do have a couple of projects that I’m exploring behind the scenes that I’m not quite ready to share publicly just yet. But I’m excited about where they might lead.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.StephanieSheronovich.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheronophoto
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sheronophoto
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-sheronovich
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@StephanieSheronovich