Jessie Carlton: Bridal Photographer by Day, Concert Documentarian by Night

As many creatives know, turning your art into a business is a dream come true, but can also take some of the joy out of creating. But photographer Jessie Carlton keeps her passions alive with inspired editorial shoots during the day and energetic concert photography at night. 

“If I have a song playing during an editorial shoot, it helps set the tone of what I’m shooting.”

During the day, Carlton works as a bridal photographer. Scrolling through her professional Instagram, each shot is soft, vibrant and staged perfectly. Carlton says she does everything she can to make sure her clients get

the photos of their dreams. “I ask a lot of questions so I can figure out what their vision of their dream session is,” Carlton says. Her goal is “to not only deliver good photos, but deliver an amazing experience.”

It was Carlton’s now-husband that encouraged her to pursue photography as a profession. Before going pro, Carlton loved taking pictures on her cell phone and uploading them to MySpace. “I took a picture of [my husband] and his friends. And he actually was like, ‘You’re really good at this,’” Carlton says. “He was like, ‘You should look into it.’” After some encouragement, she began taking pictures with her mom’s old digital camera. “He never let me give up,” Carlton says.

No matter what she’s shooting, music has always played a big role in Carlton’s work. For her editorial shoots, Carlton always curates a playlist to set the vibe of the project. “If I have a song playing during an editorial shoot, it helps set the tone of what I’m shooting,” Carlton says. And it’s the music of the hardcore shows she documents that keeps the passion in her passion project. 

Carlton’s love of hardcore is lifelong. Originally from Twin Falls, Idaho, Carlton started going to shows at 16 years old. Ironically, Carlton’s youth pastor invited her and some other people in her youth group to see Scream the Prayer in Salt Lake City, and she’s been a part of the community ever since. “I love going to shows,” Carlton says. “That’s where my heart is.” After the COVID-19 pandemic and the Twin Falls scene subsequently slowing down, Carlton says she was adopted into the Boise scene.“Salt Lake and Boise were the ones with the heavy hitter shows,” Carlton says.

“I mean, the older you get, the more you’re gonna wish you had those photos with your friends.”

After moving to the Salt Lake City area a few months ago, Carlton joined in on the local hardcore scene, and decided to bring her camera with her to the shows she attended. She loves to capture the energy of the crowds as well as the bands. “I know that hardcore kids, they love pictures of themselves,” Carlton says. “Especially when they’re dancing.” A big driver for Carlton’s photography of the hardcore scene is acting as a documentarian of sorts, capturing memories in the moment to look back on for years to come. “It’s rewarding. I mean, I just look back,” Carlton says. “I mean, the older you get, the more you’re gonna wish you had those photos with your friends.” As people come and go from the scene, Carlton hopes that her photography can provide those photos of friends for many members of the scene.

As of right now, Carlton has a few projects in mind for cataloging her concert photography. For one, a one-time magazine with many of the pictures she’s taken throughout the years. And of course, she’ll continue to bring her camera with her to as many concerts as possible, as well as merch highlighting the amazing non-men members of the hardcore scene.

All in all, Carlton loves to go with the flow, taking any chances she can get to shoot photos for musicians and their fans alike. To keep up with Jessie’s editorial and concert photography, you can follow her on @jessiecarltonphoto and @jessiecarltonphotohxc, respectively. Also, check out some her work on her online portfolio jessiecarlton.photography.

Read more about Salt Lake’s hardcore scene:
Salt Lake Hardcore’s “Lowkey PR Agency”: Ill Will Zine
Black Lung Society: Ogden’s Haven for Subculture