My life through a lens: Victoria Wai
We've been asking asking a North East-based photographer to open up their archives and select two handfuls of images which encapsulate life as they’ve captured it
It was an Eternal concert at Newcastle City Hall in 1994 which first got Victoria Wai into photography, but it wasn’t until 2019 that she made it her job.
“After years of having a day job to pay the bills where I was getting more discontent I finally bit the bullet,” says the South Shields-born snapper, who now resides in Gateshead.
Asked what makes her a good photographer, she refers us to her nickname.
“I’m not sure to be fair, but I have been nicknamed a ninja in that I am fairly unseen to make sure I get the photo and many have liked the results.”
Specialising in live music photography, Victoria says she feels most content when capturing behind the scenes moments.
“Studio time, backstage, soundcheck — though I don’t do enough of it.”
In terms of a dream subject, there’s a couple who spring immediately to mind.
“Stevie Nicks, though I’d probably cry as when I met her once I did just that! But also Madonna as I think she would be so tough on me that I would be a better photographer from it!”
When it comes to photographers Victoria admires, she cites Eve Arnold as her ‘all time hero.’
“Her work with Marilyn Monroe is what made me look at photography differently. Eve was also short in height but that didn’t stop her getting some of the most amazing images I’ve ever seen. I strive towards that.”
As always, we asked Victoria to share tips for aspiring photographers and she came back with some wise words.
“Your best photo is still always waiting to be taken so don’t ever stop, but be respectful and true to yourself in every way to get it otherwise you’ll get caught in a bubble.
“Work hard while respecting others but always remain true to yourself!
1) This is a photo that came to mind when someone once asked, ‘what photo are you most proud of?’ It was taken on my first visit to Hong Kong, my Motherland, as an adult. It was on a Canon 30E and possibly Ilford black and white film.
I just love the way the traditional Haka hat frames the face of one of my grandma’s best friends. In fact the whole framing of this Haka Village woman, I kind of just nailed it without thinking. I think I was just observing what was around me and took the photo then seconds after this she saw me and burst into laughter.
2) This photo was taken backstage at Northern Stage on the final night of A Midsummer’s Night Dream which Nadine Shah was starring in and kindly invited me along to.
It was in fact theatre that was my first real career aim. I wanted to be a set designer but really could not get my head around taking it further than secondary school level. So many things I couldn’t make work, so to be asked to do some photography with theatre productions is a huge honour — especially backstage stuff as then I get to live out a dream still while using my skills.
3) I really want to do more portrait work but I can be somewhat ‘shy’ in my direction so when Agbeko, an 11-piece band, wanted some group portraits, that was one way to definitely get me out of my comfort zone.
There was a lot of chatter between the band members so it definitely made me work harder — especially as we only had about 20 minutes and a lot more to cram into the session on top of the portraits, so I am proud of the photo.
4) The musician, Celia Grace, released an EP called Sports and wanted some photos that reflected the title. I had the idea of an outdoor basketball court and when we arrived there were two guys on court. I asked if we could have Celia pose as they played in the background ... and the sun was setting just nicely and this is why I chose this photo over another I have of Celia Grace close up and low angle.
5) I started in photography purely on film. I use digital to save costs and for speed but when neither are against me I like to use film. One thing I have loved doing and still do is multi exposures.
This is musician Kate Bond and this was our first solo photo session.
We didn’t have a plan so we took a walk and there was something about this urban space. I got Kate to have her back to me and turn and thought it would look great as a double exposure. I was so happy when it worked.
6) It’s wonderful when you get to work with musicians and build up trust and friendship — every second you’re with them you feel something special.
I was slow on discovering Faye Fantarrow but when we did meet she had me at hello!
I was so honoured when she agreed to do a photo session with me. As soon as I sat down to edit these photos this one immediately jumped out at me.
Just such a special session with a special person. I think this was only our second meeting and it felt like I knew her forever.
Sunderland singer songwriter Faye passed away in 2023 from a rare brain tumour.
7) Specialising in live music photography, I have to put some live work here and this is a photo of Father John Misty.
This was the first time I had wandered into The Glasshouse’s Sage One with the seats on level one completely removed and a photo pit.
I remember being overwhelmed and just wasn’t sure what I was doing. I felt I had most of the photos I needed so I decided to use some prisms and this particular one really took a knock in my bag but it seemed to capture the light and frame FJM perfectly!.
I was thinking of replacing my prisms but after this photo I am letting them all take knocks as the imperfections sometimes bring out the most beautiful situations.
8) Live music photography especially with bigger productions means working with the ever changing light in seconds. This photo of Kelis in Sage One of The Glasshouse was a happy accident of me mistiming the lighting with my settings… but I don’t think I could have got a better photo. Very disco and vintage feel. It just worked out perfectly.
9) I debated about including this but as live music photography is my speciality I thought it was the perfect photo to include. This is a photo of the bassist of the band Life and she’s kicking up her feet during the performance.
Life is a very energetic band. The fact that I just managed to capture the words ‘Popular Music’ on their set list I think just makes everything align as a live music photo.
10) Finishing my 10 photo choices with this one as it is very different to what most people see from me.
Outside of music I love cityscapes and landscapes and here’s a photo with one of my trusty film cameras catching some surfers down Tynemouth.
Again I have used the technique of multi exposures. If you look closely enough it looks like I’ve caught one of the surfers carrying a board while standing on a board and then there’s another three surfers on the horizon. I like how the sun is just in the top corner too.
With photography you never know if you truly have the image until after you click the shutter. With digital you can layer and layer images within seconds to get it right but with film, it is what it is. There’s times like this one where it is confirmed why you do what you do.
Follow Victoria on Instagram @_victoriawai_ and on Facebook here.