JESSIE REIMER
Staff Writer
“The most important kind of freedom is to be what you really are,” said Jim Morrison, a 60’s rock musician and lead singer of The Doors. Motivated by a music-fused mission, senior Anna Webber embodies Morrison’s philosophy, as she captures her passion for music through her talent in concert photography.
With works published in Mojo, an online magazine in the U.K., and the Santa Fean in New Mexico, Webber is well on her way to becoming a professional photographer. She can also name Baron Wolman, the first chief of photography for Rolling Stone Magazine, as a personal mentor.
Webber met Wolman last summer after she had worked her way into the opening of a rock photography exhibit at the Duncan Millar Gallery in L.A. Wolman offered Webber an internship in Santa Fe, which she accepted.
“Baron is the cutest old man in the whole world,” Webber said.
Last year, Webber traveled with Wolman to the U.K. While in London, Webber caught a lucky break when Mojo ran into a bit of trouble.
“The Mojo magazine photographers arrived with uncharged batteries,” Webber said. “There I was, implicated in shooting for the magazine.”
Webber currently studies under fashion photographer James Hickey to expand her versatility in photography.
“He’s giving me a lot of the motivation I’ve needed and is really helping me expand my abilities,” Webber said.
Just as Webber began to drift into the world of photography, she suffered the loss of one of the greatest inspirations in her life — her father.
“The undercurrent that moved me to strive for a photography career was absolutely the passing away of my dad,” Webber said.
In need of a release, Webber turned where many Pepperdine students turn for inspiration — the ocean.
“I wrote a really long letter at the beach to no one,” said Webber. “It took me all night, and when I was done I threw it in the ocean.” From that moment on, Webber knew her purpose.
As a concert photographer, Webber primarily focuses on her passion for music.
“Music is as much a part of my culture as being a native Californian city girl,” Webber said. “The photography I’m doing now means that I can be recognized for my own art by the musicians I’ve always loved, and get an appreciation from them in return.”
Webber has been able to capture artists such as Tom Petty, Fiona Apple and the Taj Mahal Trio. She said that one of her favorite moments was meeting her “longtime love” Eddie Vedder at the Santa Barbara Bowl.
“He’s the only person I’ve been so in awe of in real life, it could have easily been mistaken as starstruck,” she said.
Senior Kristel Kovner, who lived with Webber last year and went to high school with her, said that over the years she has been able to witness Webber’s appreciation of the arts grow.
Webber said she first started pursuing concert photography in high school. It began when she purchased her first camera.
“I bought this old junky 35mm Minolta that I got from a garage sale,” Webber said. When that camera wore out its lifespan, Webber said she replaced it with others of its kind. Her interest developed into a hobby.
Webber continued taking photos throughout high school, but it wasn’t until her sophomore year at Pepperdine that a future career in photography became a reality.
“I learned developing, printing and processing all myself,” Webber said. “The darkroom was one of the best hands-on experiences.”
According to Webber, the photography means much more than taking a snapshot. She said she strives to learn and live as much as she possibly can.
“Right now it’s about learning the ropes for big, high pressure gigs,” Webber said. “I want to be old one day and be able to look back and say, man, I lived.”
11-01-2007
