Leetal Photo

1. What would your advice be to budding photography enthusiasts trying to move their way into the scene?
I would first inform them that photography, especially nightlife photography, is by no means a path to financial stability. Most photogs. barely make enough to pay the bills, let alone afford the finer things in life. Now, that said, this is arguably one of the most fun jobs I’ve ever held. I’ve met and photographed countless celebrities, musicians and DJs, and managed to network to the point of actually making photography a viable career option. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

2. What is your favorite memory that you created while working?
In all honesty, most of the nights from my earlier years as a nightlife photographer are essentially a blur, and even nowadays, my weekends tend to blend into one. If I had to choose a specific “favorite memory,” it would have to be shooting Judge Jules on stage during last year’s Halfway to Halloween event at the Hard Rock. He’s been my favorite DJ since I began spinning records back in ’99 and 2000, and it was an honor to be on the same stage as he, photographing him in the flesh. Hell, I even named my dog, Jules (rest in peace momma), after him.

3. What is your favorite venue in downtown San Diego to shoot at?
I don’t have a “favorite,” per se, as I enjoy shooting at most all of the venues where I’m booked; however, I’ve always enjoyed shooting at the Ivy. It’s generally a good crowd, the lighting is phenomenal, and the Lipstik Inc. girls are always good for a few (hundred) shots.

4. What is the hardest part about shooting nightlife galleries?
One would really need look no further than any of my blogs/rants pertaining to nightlife photography to understand what I deem to be its most difficult aspects, but in the interest of this interview, I will oblige…
While there are a number of facets pertaining to nightlife photography I would classify as “hard,” I would say the biggest pain in the ass is arguably dealing with the drunken idiots us nightlife shooters encounter on a regular basis. Bottom line: if you can’t handle your booze, don’t drink in public. And this goes for both men and women. Inebriated males are nothing more than obstacles to photographing inebriated women. Inebriated women, however, are an entirely different animal. They sway, they cuss, they anger easily, and their normally subdued insecurities are magnified a thousand times. It’s like trying to handle an overweight wolverine, or babysit a toddler on crack. And if you’ve never embarked upon either of those endeavors, I wouldn’t recommend doing so.

5. What captures your eye when you are looking for subjects to shoot?
I find the most massive pair of fake breasts in the entire club and I stalk them like a cheetah would a juvenile wildebeest. (I don’t know where I’m pulling these random animal analogies from, but I’m enjoying them immensely.)
In all honesty, I just look for people genuinely having a good time. I try to capture candid images whenever possible, as the ol’ hand-on-the-hip, chest-out pose is beyond over-used. And before I forget, in terms of posing, ladies, for the love of God and all that is holy, stop with the kissy-poo (a.k.a. “duck face”)… It looks as dumb as you probably think it does, but continue using because you took that one photo that one time and it looked great. Knock that shit off.

6. What kind of equipment do you use when you are working?
I have two camera bodies — a Canon 5D Mark II and a 30D — however, I only shoot nightlife with the 30D. I refuse to bring my more expensive gear out, as I’ve had drinks spilled on my equipment too many times to count, I’ve had my camera kicked off a six-foot ledge, and I’ve had my flashes broken on more than one occasion. And although you can get insurance on all of your equipment, it’s just not worth it (to me) to bring the “good stuff” out for nightlife shoots. I save the more expensive lenses and my 5D for weddings, bands and professional photoshoots.
That said, my standard nightlife rig is obviously a Canon 30D, equipped with either a 15mm fisheye or 17 to 40 mm wide angle lens. The flash I use is a Canon 430EX II, and while I’ve dabbled with various diffusers, I prefer to merely use the pull out catchlight on the flash itself.

Now for a more personal take:

7. Would you call yourself a gentleman? Describe your perfect date.
I would consider myself an asshole with gentlemanly tendencies, not the other way around. I used to be the proverbial hopeless romantic and wear my heart on my sleeve, but I think I’m more “seasoned” these days; a bit more realistic and cautious. Having your heart ripped out of your arse on more than one occasion will do that to you.
I still maintain some of my innocence of yesteryear, however, so I’d have to say that my perfect date nowadays would be anything out of the ordinary. I’ve never been the cliché dinner-and-movie type of guy. Spontaneity is the spice of life, and nowhere is the adage truer than in the dating realm. Give me a spontaneous woman, a nice scotch, good food, good wine, and then perhaps a punk rock/acoustic/folk show at a local venue, followed by a fun-filled romp in the sack and a random photographic road trip the following morning and I’m all in. But then again, if she’s as spontaneous as I, we could end up having sex in a hotel room in furry outfits. That could be just as fun…

8. What are your favorite activities when you aren’t working?
“When I’m not working…” You’re funny. Photography isn’t my sole source of income (see question 1). I have a full-time job as a staff writer/editor for an outdoor-based publication located in San Clemente. Thus, when I’m not working, I’m… working. Honestly, I’m either at work or at home editing photos. When I do have any available free time (which is rare), I write, play music (guitar and drums), see live music (predominantly punk/folk rock), take photos, or hit the open road for no other reason than to drive.

9. Since you work in nightlife, you guys are always out and about…are you more social or a stay-at-home type of guy?
I love my down time more than anything, as I rarely get it. When I do have a night off, and little to no photo editing to tend to, I am most definitely a stay-at-home guy. Give me some food and “Family Guy” and I’m a happy man.

10. Each of you give me the top three songs that describe YOU.
Frank Turner – “The Road”
Frank Turner – “If I Ever Stray”
Frank Turner – “Photosynthesis” (I like Frank Turner. He “speaks to me,” if you will.)

Jeff Corrigan

1) What’s your story?: I was born and raised on the east coast in Cocoa Beach, Florida. I moved to Jersey City/Manhattan working on yachts, and shortly after that, ended up in south Florida. I lived in Miami Beach for 3 years; bartending at all the top nightclubs. I needed a change and decided to randomly to give the west coast a shot and which brought me San Diego
2) Which do you prefer, boxers or briefs?: Briefs for sure
3) What’s your favorite food?: I’m obsessed with sushi!!!
4) Describe your perfect girl: About 5’6, 104 pounds, C boobs, has to have a nice ass,d ark long hair, keeps up on herself, a girly-girl but enjoys out door activities ( hiking, snowboarding , etc.) great personality, family oriented, a sweetheart, and very easy going. ( In other words, I’ll die a lonely man)
5) How did you get those amazing abs/give us your workout routine?: Work out abs every other day to LMFAO- Sexy and I Know it. Lol kidding, I only make videos to it

6) What is the craziest story that you have happen while working as bartender?: Blew a girls clip on bangs off her forehead across the club with a CO2 tank
7) Blonde’s or Brunettes?: Brunettes
8 ) What is your idea of a perfect date?: My perfect date is anything that neither me or her have ever done before. I think it makes it a better/more fun time and loosens things up a bit right from the start but I would like the evening to end with going to a super nice wine vineyard.
9) What do you think about dating in the industry?: As long as she meets the description of “my perfect girl”, I’m all for it.
10) What is the biggest difference between the people you met in Miami and San Diego?: People in SD are waaaaay more down to earth!

Why would a promoter who is supposed to sell excess even mention a word that is about as conducive with bottle service as Target is with Cartier?  Because excess isn’t excess if everyone’s doing it – meaning in the last 3 or so years – everyone was a mortgage broker, real estate investor, or stock market millionaire…or so they thought. NEWS FLASH: now we are in reality, not then. Every swanky club out there, and some not so swanky, sold every table in the house; if they ran out, they would be happy to sell you a fold-out card table hosted by a car model who treated you like you were at the DMV.

Well those days are, THANK FUCKING GOD, over. Most of the bottle service girls now ARE the holy trinity – hot, smart and nice. Door and VIP hosts alike are happy to have your business and are actually willing, sometimes, to negotiate. Indeed, all that glitters isn’t gold and necessity really is the mother of invention. Clubs, like the real world, do need to offer good service, DJ’s do need to spin fun, energetic sets from the heart…and promoters really do need to offer not only an amazing crowd, but all the nuance that makes one venue magically better than the one next door.

The pendulum has swung back, for now at least, to what’s really beautiful, interesting and unique.  So as Hummers and Ed Hardy fade away and the line between Metro and Douchebag narrows…the silver lining is the blossoming of something so rare in the “scene”…creativity and art.

Actually having a budget is now not only cool, but ironically will remake the whole “industry”…for the better.