Sarah Pardini's vibrant photos capture artists with authenticity
Welcome to Generation AP, a spotlight on emerging actors, writers, and creatives who are on the verge of taking over.
Though photographer Sarah Paridini heralds from Portland, her work, in aesthetic and ethos, embodies Los Angeles. It’s grit and glamor, smut and grace. Scrolling through the artist’s Instagram page, you’ll find a FOMO-inducing amalgamation of imagery —from glossy album covers for blackbear, Rebecca Black, and Corey Taylor to fashion campaigns for Jeffrey Campbell. And that’s not all, Pardini’s stylish, tongue-in-cheek POV extends behind the scenes, capturing the chaos that occurs everywhere from the depths of the pit, to the back lounge of a power disco band’s tour bus.
Read more: Harmony is literally following her dreams with Dystopia Girl
While she originally moved to Los Angeles to enter the fashion world, today, her portfolio reads like a high-contrast, cultural quilt, fabricated with a hard flash and a discerning eye, eagerly capturing the interwoven stories of creative characters across the country — featuring a long list of beloved alternative musicians. Whether traditional portraits or otherwise, Pardini offers a narrative that is as cinematic and colorful, as it is raw and documentary, and over the years, the robust, vivid nature of her work has garnered due respect across creative industries, and led her portfolio to boast the impressive list of clientele it does today.
[Photo by Sarah Pardini]
Just this year, Pardini went from a month-long tour with LA power disco outfit Cobra Man across North America, capturing their skater-heavy fanbase crowd-surfing to synth anthems, straight into shooting a commercial beauty campaign. This might not be every day, it’s close enough — there isn’t a creative arena Pardini’s lens doesn’t consider.
But while the content can vary, the artist’s highly unique perspective persists throughout, a signature style that, upon meeting her, is easily matched to her own personality. Whether her hair is electric blue with a star dyed into it or dark and shaggy, there is a casual, indescribable coolness to Sarah Pardini that feels neither pretentious nor impenetrable. Rather, there’s a warm and inspiring aura to her — one which both explains why musicians have been increasingly drawn to her, and the way her works seem to balance stylized composure and the casual authenticity of an artist all at once.
AP spoke with Pardini about Warped Tour, the highs and lows of making art in Los Angeles, and her first time living on a tour bus.
[Photo by Sarah Pardini]
What were your first experiences going to shows, and being around live music?
I grew up in small towns, so my first live show experiences were house shows. The houses would get so gnarly and hot, the ceiling would literally drip everyone’s sweat! When I was 14 I did my first Warped Tour. That was pretty impactful. It was super inspiring to see how everyone dressed from different cities.
Do you have a specific memory from that Warped Tour — was there an outfit, or a type of look that stood out? Who was headlining? I remember my first Warped Tour and house shows—and it wouldn’t be far off to say that that experience, compacted with going to hardcore shows at way too young an age, changed the way I listened to music and dressed for the rest of my life.
I wore a little black swimsuit top and denim shorts! I still wear this same type of fit to any sort of festival I go to. I think Underoath was one of the bigger bands I saw that year.
[Photo by Sarah Pardini]
Now that you’ve shot an album cover, do you remember any album covers you felt drawn to from an early age?
It’s funny growing up I collected a lot of records just for the artwork, not even to listen to the band. When I started in photography I didn’t think I would shoot an artist’s vinyl! I always loved Autograph’s That’s the Stuff album cover. The artwork was done by Hajime Sorayama and it’s one of his sexy robots giving a thumbs up. This cover hit and still hits pretty much all of my dots: I’m obsessed with robots and hot girls; she’s giving alt girl with her black latex tank top; she’s super sexy but doing a silly pose which is something I think I do a lot in my own work.
Can you speak to this idea of mixing seduction with a tongue-in-cheek attitude? It’s definitely something I can see in your work, and honestly your own personality.
I think it’s a really important thing in creative fields and entertainment as well, almost a version of humility.
[Photo by Sarah Pardini]
What brought you to LA? Did you intend on ending up so intertwined with music, or did that happen organically?
I moved to LA from Portland. I had been living there for three years working as a photographer, and I knew if I stayed in PDX I would end up shooting for Nike or Adidas. The industry up there is heavy sports. I wanted to move more into fashion or beauty so LA felt like a good spot. I didn’t intend on doing so much in the music industry and now that I am, I am so grateful and feel very comfortable. I feel like I’ve finally found my spot as a photographer.
What do you think sets apart the LA music scene? Sonically, and visually?
LA is very competitive and has a lot of opportunities. A lot of artists live here. I think that is one of the big things that sets it apart. Because it’s competitive everyone is doing the most, and working really fast. Visually I feel like LA is a bit more playful and fun. I like to compare LA to NYC. NYC is so obviously NYC — it’s sexy, serious and clean, and chic. LA is sexy but a little silly?
[Photo by Sarah Pardini]
Your work feels incredibly timeless, which is often a goal shared by musicians. In which ways do you think being a visual artist is similar to being a performer? What are the values, and mottos that you find you share with your subjects in particular?
A lot of my job is a performance in a way. Sometimes I only have five minutes to shoot an artist, so I have to be ready to do the damn thing. Visual artists have their own little dance and routines just like musicians do. Sounds basic but it wasn’t until I truly started to do whatever I wanted that people started to connect with my work. I had to have trust in myself that I had good taste, and knew what to do. I think musicians have to do this also. The music is going to be better if it’s genuine.
What are some lyrics to live by?
“The sky is the limit” – Lil Wayne
[Photo by Sarah Pardini]
Your work is pretty raw, and captures the spirit and often sound of the subjects. Is that a goal you set, or something that comes naturally?
Definitely a goal of mine. I like to capture things pretty gnarrrrr and real.
How have you built a creative community in LA? How would you describe it?
Yes! I am so lucky to have an amazing community of like-minded creatives. The talent (musician, actor, actress) is just one piece of the puzzle. Working with makeup, hair, and styling always changes everything. I am very, very lucky I get to work with some of LA’s best.
[Photo by Sarah Pardini]
As a photographer, what draws you to the music scene and the artists you shoot and spend time around?
I go to so many shows. For a while, I was going to a different show every night. I think that in addition to shooting portraits naturally, I will shoot a lot of musicians!
What do you think draws the artists you shoot to you? You’ve mentioned social media being a powerful tool in getting jobs and building relationships. What does your platform say about you?
I think my work is a good balance of professional and something your best friend would capture. That with the hyper-saturated color makes me stand out from other artists.
