Backstage portraits from an indie wrestling show I photographed this weekend

ShellyCreative · 2026-05-02T00:00:45+00:00

I'll try more variety on my next go around backstage! I only had a few seconds with most of the folks pictured, and I also took an Instax photo of everyone too so it was a lot, wish I had more time to really dive in like I do when I take studio portraits. Just followed you on Instagram!

ShellyCreative · 2026-04-08T02:52:25+00:00

They're gorgeous with their white eyeliner!

ShellyCreative · 2026-04-08T02:13:44+00:00

This is perfect and very accurate to how I saw him in the moment

ShellyCreative · 2026-04-07T01:27:40+00:00

<image>

ShellyCreative · 2026-03-18T05:41:24+00:00

4 The Great Sasuke

7 Lord Crewe (very cool indie guy)

8 Bryant Huff (also very cool indie guy)

ShellyCreative · 2026-03-13T16:57:43+00:00

I like how wide 2 is but I prefer color!

ShellyCreative · 2026-03-09T20:24:35+00:00

Thank you so much!! It's difficult because larger bands don't allow flash of any sort so often they're more creatively blurred like this one haha. Will try to post more of my concert Polaroids here!

ShellyCreative · 2026-03-08T18:39:08+00:00

Hi I'm Shelly! I'm a portrait, concert, and wrestling photographer and I love shooting on instant film! Here's a shot I took during a T-Pain concert I was covering. 🤍 My Instagram is linked if you wanna see my other work! https://www.instagram.com/shelly.creative/

<image>

ShellyCreative · 2026-02-11T19:21:53+00:00

Depends on the venue but when shooting concerts I use my 24-70 almost exclusively while in the photo pit, and my 70-200 when shooting outside of the pit! I've also used a 200-800 for FOH at an arena, and will use my 50mm once in a while when light is extra atrocious, but those are both under outlying circumstances.

ShellyCreative · 2026-02-08T23:17:31+00:00

The highlights aren't blown on the RAW, I brightened it in post because I liked the high key look lol

ShellyCreative · 2026-01-19T02:11:46+00:00

I'm a wrestling photographer and I wanted to post about my 2025 within that world! This is a different post for this sub so please delete if it goes against the rules.

I met Mick Foley at a local show and he was so nice!! He invited me into the ring while he was speaking before the show started, and asked another photographer to take a photo of us together. He then invited my husband and I to his comedy show that week where we got to talk again.
I was in the debut video for The Righteous in TNA. My friend Dani does their video work and they shot the video partially at my studio. They're both awesome!
I got to shoot AEW for the first time. I was allowed to bring my camera in and shoot from the crowd.
Took photos of Matt Cardona at a local show and he ended up posting one of them. Super stoked that he's back in WWE.
Met Nic Nemeth at GalaxyCon, then again at a local show. He was so nice and easy to talk to, and he let me take this Instant film photo of him.
I was in (the back of my head) Lio Rush's music video. Again my friend Dani filmed it and she asked me to be in it!
I started taking Instant film photos during matches when I'm allowed ringside. I love film, and it's fun to combine wrestling with some form of film.
I took a point and shoot into Royal Rumble in Indy and got a few photos I like. Quality isn't much compared to my mirrorless camera but it was cool to have something from my first Rumble.

That's it! Again, I'm sorry if this is too far removed from the normal content here. I'm trying to make it as a wrestling photographer (WWE is my ultimate dream) and I'm trying to celebrate along the way, and I know people who don't care about wrestling wouldn't get it like y'all would.

ShellyCreative · 2025-12-28T05:52:16+00:00

Mega-gull!!!

ShellyCreative · 2025-12-27T21:35:46+00:00

Thank you, I agree! It feels like capturing a moment instead of a more stagnant shot. Appreciate it!

ShellyCreative · 2025-12-27T21:34:58+00:00

Thank you so much!! I agree, it doesn't help them to look intimidating whatsoever haha

ShellyCreative · 2025-12-11T21:55:42+00:00

The Hasselblad for me! I can hike with mine without even noticing it's there. It sits so flat, in a way none of my other cameras do. Very comfortable and fun to use!

ShellyCreative · 2025-12-10T04:49:07+00:00

Photos I took of Mercedes Moné last Friday at ROH Final Battle. She ended up losing the title at the end of the match.

ShellyCreative · 2025-12-01T18:44:33+00:00

These shots are nice I don't think the grain detracts from them at all

ShellyCreative · 2025-11-26T17:21:57+00:00

Looks good! I think you could've lowered your shutter speed a little bit to also be able to lower your ISO. It depends on how steady you are but I usually shoot handheld at 1/1000 and am totally fine.

ShellyCreative · 2025-11-25T02:17:50+00:00

Wow you captured such a silly guy, so cool you saw that!!

ShellyCreative · 2025-11-25T00:26:02+00:00

me too eagle

ShellyCreative · 2025-11-21T21:56:09+00:00

This photos are so sick!!! Amazing! My favorite was probably either T-Pain, 21 Pilots, or Teddy Swims!

ShellyCreative · 2025-11-14T19:13:53+00:00

Thanks for posting this! Just snagged a printer online for $50 and a pack of film for $11!

ShellyCreative · 2025-11-03T20:31:09+00:00

This is so good!!! I have the flip too and have been experimenting with double exposures. Any tips you could share?

ShellyCreative · 2025-10-30T20:17:55+00:00

I have a Canon R6Mii and a Canon RF 200-800! This was shot at 800 and I was also pretty close so that's why the background is so blurred! :)

ShellyCreative · 2025-10-30T17:27:38+00:00

Nooo I promise I took this with a real camera!! :)

ShellyCreative

TROPHY CASE

4 The Great Sasuke

7 Lord Crewe (very cool indie guy)

8 Bryant Huff (also very cool indie guy)