Tony Vasquez

Art has always helped define who I am. I sketched and painted in my early years, often preferring visual expression to other forms, and I always knew art would be in my life. Music and the visual arts are inherently connected, and together they were the source of my inspiration as a young adult. I was always drawn to music and art that challenged the status quo and was relatable on a very visceral level. I loved looking at vinyl album covers and liner note art. For me, they told half of the music’s story.
I studied at Ball State University in Indiana and earned a Bachelor of Fine Art’s degree in Fine Art Photography with a minor in oil painting. Some of my happiest memories of campus include spending late nights (and early mornings) in the studio painting or in the dark room developing my latest photographs while listening to my favorite bands and artists. My style took a more focused direction in college, and my life experiences became evident in my work.
My work celebrates the relationship between contrasting ideas. Nature in urban environments, light in the darkness, a swatch of intense color in a bleak pallet, joy and beauty in the melancholy, classic with a modern energy.
I’m a straightforward guy. Whether I am taking a portrait of a bride and groom on their wedding day or shooting a band on stage, I am looking for authenticity. Photographs of a fairytale wedding should show the true spirit of the couple on their fantasy day. Posed doesn’t have to mean contrived. Real people, true love. And a photograph of a band should capture their passion for the music and the energy of the show, show what makes them different from every other band.
Art is an expression and celebration of life. It tells a story. I’m looking forward to helping you tell your story.