Meet Drew Latshaw of Ohio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Drew Latshaw.

Hi Drew, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
If you had asked me twenty years ago where I’d end up, I never would have guessed “concert photographer,” “writer,” or “interviewer.” By day, I’ve spent much of my career working in Information Technology, solving technical problems and helping people behind the scenes. At the same time, creativity has always been part of who I am. I went to school for animation because I loved storytelling and visual art, even though life ultimately took me down a different career path.

Photography has been the only way I have ever found to show people how I saw the world. Art-Abandoned Photography was originally just that… exploring forgotten places and preserving pieces of history before they disappeared. I was fascinated by the stories those abandoned buildings could tell without saying a single word. I was enthralled by the beauty I saw in the decay. Over time, though, I realized the most incredible stories weren’t found only in those empty places. They were standing on stages, creating art, chasing dreams, and living life right in front of me. My camera shifted from documenting abandoned places to documenting people.

That transition became even more meaningful after the loss of my son. Before then, photography was a creative outlet. After he passed away, it became something much deeper. It gave me a way to channel emotions I didn’t know how to put into words and helped me focus on creating something positive during one of the darkest times in my life. In many ways, photography didn’t just become a passion. It became part of the reason I kept moving forward.

Today, I cover concerts and events throughout Ohio and the surrounding states, write for UnRated Magazine, and interview musicians ranging from local artists playing their first show to internationally touring bands. One weekend I might be photographing a packed venue, and the next I might be interviewing a band over Zoom from another country. Every opportunity reminds me that everyone has a story worth telling if you’re willing to slow down and listen.

I’ve never wanted Art-Abandoned Photography to be just about taking pictures. My goal has always been to preserve moments that matter and celebrate the people behind them. Whether it’s a musician pouring everything they have into a performance, an artist sharing their passion, or someone simply chasing a dream, those are the stories I love documenting.

The funny part is that I still work in IT. Photography isn’t an escape from that world. It’s the balance that keeps me grounded. One side of my life is built on logic and troubleshooting. The other is built on creativity, curiosity, and human connection. Somehow those two worlds fit together perfectly.

If there’s one thing this journey has taught me, it’s that everyone has a story. Sometimes all it takes is someone willing to ask a question, someone willing to listen, and maybe a camera to help preserve the moment before it becomes a memory.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not even close. If it had been a smooth road, I probably wouldn’t appreciate where I am today nearly as much.

Like a lot of people, I spent years balancing my passion with a full-time career.

Photography wasn’t paying the bills, so most of my weekends, evenings, and vacation time were spent driving all over creation to cover concerts, sporting events, and attractions, editing photos late into the night, and then getting up the next morning to head back out to the day job. There were plenty of moments where I questioned whether I could realistically keep up this pace.

The biggest challenge, though, wasn’t business related. It was losing my son. That changed every part of my life. For a while, I wasn’t sure what came next or even what I was passionate about anymore. With the support of my wife, and her continuously cheering me on, my photography became an unexpected source of healing. It gave me a reason to get out of the house, to create, to meet people, and to find beauty again when life felt overwhelmingly heavy. Looking back, I honestly don’t know if Art-Abandoned Photography would have become what it is today without that experience. It changed not only how I looked at the world, but also why I wanted to continue capturing all of the fleeting moments throughout the travels.

There have been plenty of practical hurdles too. Building relationships in the music industry takes time. You spend a lot of time hearing “no,” waiting for replies that never come, and wondering if anyone is even noticing the work you’re putting in. Every opportunity I’ve earned has come from showing up consistently, treating people with respect, and trying to leave every artist, venue, and promoter a little better than I found them.

I’m also my own biggest critic. Every time I think I’ve captured my best photograph, I come home convinced I can do better the next time. As frustrating as that can be, it’s also what keeps me learning, experimenting, and pushing myself creatively.

Today, I don’t really measure success by the size of the artist or the venue anymore. Sure, walking into an arena or a place like Blossom with my gear feels great, but that is not why I do what I do.

Success is when someone tells me, “You captured exactly how that moment felt.” Or when a musician sees my work, and tells me how much they loved it, or they knew exactly where I took the shot, and what part of the song they were at… the euphoria I feel is immeasurable!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
People often ask if I specialize in concert photography, and while that’s certainly become a big part of what I do, I’d say I specialize in storytelling.

Whether I’m photographing a local band playing to twenty people, a nationally touring artist in a packed arena, an abandoned building with decades of history hidden in its walls, or a community event bringing people together, I’m always looking for the story behind the moment. Anyone with a camera can capture what happened. I want my photographs to capture what it felt like.

Over the years I’ve been fortunate to photograph hundreds of concerts, interview musicians from around the world, and contribute as a writer and photographer for UnRated Magazine. Those opportunities have introduced me to some incredibly talented people, but I’ve learned that the size of the stage has never determined the value of the story. Some of the most memorable moments I’ve ever captured have happened in small clubs with local artists who were giving everything they had to the people standing in front of them.

What I’m probably most proud of isn’t a particular photograph or publication. It’s the relationships that have grown because of this journey. I’ve had bands invite me back, artists trust me to help tell their stories, and people I’ve photographed tell me that an image brought them right back to that exact moment. That’s an incredible compliment, and one I never take for granted.

I think what sets me apart is that I don’t walk into a venue looking for “the shot.” I walk in looking for the story. Before I even unpack my gear, I’m watching how people are in the line waiting for doors, how they are while waiting for the show to start… I’m listening to conversations, paying attention to the energy in the room, and trying to understand what makes that artist, event, or community unique. The camera is just the tool I use to tell that story.

At the end of the day, I hope people don’t remember me as “the concert photographer.” I hope they remember me as someone who genuinely cared about the people in front of the lens regardless of who they were. If years from now someone looks at one of my photographs and can instantly remember how that night sounded, felt, or changed their life, then I’ve accomplished exactly what I set out to do.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I’ve never been very good at learning just one way. If something catches my interest, I tend to disappear down the rabbit hole until I understand it from every angle. I love learning, and I don’t really care whether that lesson comes from a book, a conversation, or spending three hours watching YouTube tutorials.

These days, AI has become one of my favorite learning tools, especially in the IT world. I regularly use ChatGPT and Claude, not to do my work for me, but to challenge my thinking, bounce around ideas, research topics, organize projects, and sometimes simply ask, “What am I missing?” To me, they’re less like search engines and more like brainstorming partners. I know AI is a touchy subject for a lot of people, which is why I try to use it as a tool to expand my thinking rather than replace my own creativity.

YouTube has also been an incredible resource. Whether I’m trying to master a new photography technique, learn more about lighting, improve my writing, build an app, or troubleshoot something in IT, there’s almost always someone willing to share what they’ve learned. I have a tremendous amount of respect for people who take the time to teach others, and I’ve benefited from that generosity more times than I can count.

When I do pick up a book, I’m usually drawn to fantasy, science fiction, or anything that explores creativity and imagination. I love seeing how different people build worlds, solve problems, and tell stories. Those ideas have a funny way of finding their way back into my own work.

More than anything, though, the greatest resource in my life has been conversation. Sitting down with musicians, artists, business owners, and even complete strangers has taught me lessons that no app, website, or textbook ever could. Everyone has lived a life I’ll never experience, and I believe every person has something worth teaching if we’re willing to listen.

That’s probably why I enjoy interviewing people so much. Every interview starts with a list of questions, but it almost always ends with new ideas, a different perspective, and an even greater appreciation for the incredible variety of paths people take through life. If I’ve learned anything over the years, it’s that curiosity is one of the greatest teachers we’ll ever have.

Pricing:

• Concert & live event photography packages are customized based on the event, coverage time, and intended usage.
• Portrait and creative photography sessions are quoted individually based on the location and scope of the project.
• Band and artist promotional packages, including photography, interviews, and editorial coverage, are available upon request.
• Event coverage for festivals, community events, and businesses is priced based on the size and duration of the event.
• Every project begins with a conversation to make sure the coverage fits the client’s goals and budget.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artabandonedphotos
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artabandonedphotos
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@artabandonedphotos?si=CgHaXJQqlv98pqmI

Image Credits
All images were taken by me at various events, happenings, and such in my travels.