Sanjay Parikh has captured the band’s impressive live shows all around the United States and overseas as they’ve played upwards of 250 dates a year, transforming elements of their eye-popping performance and bringing it to the palm of peoples’ hands on the Shinedown’s YouTube and socials, as well as his own
Tell us a little about yourself and your experience.
My name is Sanjay Parikh, I’m 33 years old and I’ve been the touring photographer/videographer for the band Shinedown for the past three years. I live in Arizona with my wife and two kids.
What drove you to choose your career path?
From the moment I picked up my first guitar at the age of 12, I knew that I was meant to play a part in the music world. I started off playing guitar in bands and touring the US. After playing our set, I would put down my guitar and pick up my camera to shoot the other bands. Being a known musician in Arizona allowed me to network with people in other bands, local radio stations, etc.
I would do everything I could to get photo passes to shoot big shows in town, anything to get my foot in the door. I would get the occasional “no” but the “yeses” allowed me to really push myself to get better at my craft, improve my content, and develop my own style over time. At least for me, I don’t think it would have turned out the way it did without having had experience as a musician myself.
How did you go about getting your job? What kind of education and experience did you need?
Being in the music industry from a young age, I learned early on to network as much as I could. Along with that, I spent years shooting bands, learning the right angles, figuring out my style, and constantly challenging myself. When I met Shinedown, they had already seen my work and appreciated it. More importantly they did me the honor of taking me on while giving me the creative freedom to do what I do best. The learning never stops because new ways of creating art has no limits.
What do you actually spend the majority of your time doing?
In my personal life, I spend time being super dad for my two children. Professionally, I spend my time editing videos because I’m OCD and very meticulous about the content that I put out.
What misconceptions do people often have about your job?
There are many misconceptions about my job. I feel that some people think I’m just an Instagramer who just posts “videos.” Others find it difficult to understand how someone can actually get paid to travel the world and create art. I swear I think my mother-in-law has a vision of us on a Greyhound bus when I tell her that I tour. All joking aside, unless you have edited video yourself you have zero clue the quantity of work that goes into making/learning that one tiny effect.
What are your average work hours?
It varies day by day on tour. On show days, my camera is in hand from the start of the show to the end, about an hour and thirty minutes. Beyond that, I’ve never really tried to calculate my hours. Some projects are more time consuming than others, like when I’m teaching myself a new effect. I will say this, there are times when you are editing when you just need to walk away for a bit, catch some air and come back to it.
What personal tips and shortcuts have made your job easier?
Having the right equipment and knowing how to use it is key. An expensive camera is only as good as the person who holds it. Similarly, a good editing program is worthless if you don’t know how to use it. You get faster over time, just like anything. It just takes practice.
What do you do differently from your coworkers or peers in the same profession?
I always try to push the boundaries and never stay within a box.
What's the worst part of the job and how do you deal with it?
Being away from wife and kids and missing some of the big moments at home is the hardest part of my job. That being said, my wife, family, and I have touring down to a science. While difficult at times, we’ve learned to Facetime and keep up with one another daily.
What's the most enjoyable part of the job?
The most enjoyable part of my job is being able to create art behind my lens while touring the world with some of my closest friends and family in Shinedown.
What kind of money can one expect to make at your job?
Zero to infinity (and beyond).
How do you move up in your field?
The music industry is a small world, you have to network. It’s also essential to stay on top of your game, always pushing yourself to be the best at your craft. More importantly, be humble and kind.
What advice would you give to those aspiring to join your profession?
Don’t give up, you will get told “no” a million times before one “yes.” But the one “yes” makes it all worth it. Make sure you are well versed with your gear and develop your own style, stand out from the rest.
