To celebrate that, Houston Beer Guide has turned the cameras around on a handful of local photographers that are integral to the Houston beer community as digital media content creators for several local area breweries.  Others have found a calling for photographing beer and have turned this into something more than a part time hobby.

Honestly, I don’t need to keep writing about all of these talented photographers. Their work speaks for itself. 

Josh Olalde

Josh is currently the Digital Content Manager at Karbach Brewing and a long-established beer photographer in the Houston area. Olalde got into photography through a love of movies and into craft beer though the influences of several of his co-workers at a factory job.  The two hobbies ended up melding together into a new passion of taking photos of beer, as well as a new career.  Olalde has got his first paying gig with Spindletap Brewing when Brody Chapman reached out to him on Facebook and asked his to take some beer spill photos for the brewery. Since then, Olalde has worked with other breweries such as B52 Brewing, 8^th Wonder, Southern Star, Fortress, Saint Arnold, Saloon Door, Bakfish, Galveston Island Brewing, Ingenious, Eureka Heights, and No Label Brewing.  Said Olalde, “It’s always nice to see your work printed, or out there in the wild. There’s a sense of fulfilment, for sure.” 

https://www.josholalde.com

@josh_olalde (IG)

Adriana Richey

Adriana “Adri” Richey, a native of Monterrey, Mexico, who was hired on at Saint Arnold Brewing in April 2022 as the Digital Content Manager for the brewery.  Richey credits her background in photography as a process that spanned many years. First was discovering the excitement of creating stories from participating in a school play at a very young age.  Many years later a college friend lent her a digital camera, and she found herself hooked on telling stories through photos.

Richey went on to add, “I believe that every beer has its own personality, and I love putting my camera to work to feature it. Whether it’s snapping a pic of someone enjoying a beer or highlighting our latest brew or dish, I’m all about finding fresh ways to tell our story.”

https://www.adririchey.com/

@adri.richey (IG)

Brian Ledden

A veteran of the beer photography industry going back to 2014, where he began shooting beer related photos and video content for Craft Pride in Austin. Though he primarily works in the Austin area, Ledden is no stranger to Houston beer, as he has done plenty of work with breweries like B-52 and Equal Parts Brewing. The majority of his work in the Houston area with beer photography has been done with No Label Brewing. When asked about his relationship with No Label, Ledden explained, “They’ve got a whole bunch of my work up around their patio and on their taproom menu displays.  It’s great to see how their brewery has grown over the years!”

https://brianledden.com/

@thebeerdtographer (IG)

Eric Rodriguez

Unable to see his family during Covid and use his camera to take photos of their events, he turned his attention to beer to pass the time. Rodriguez came across Josh Olalde’s Instagram and found inspiration to also take “nicer” beer photos himself.  “I sell beer for a living and was always given free beer a lot so I thought, why not?” said Rodriguez. Rodriguez and Olalde quickly became great friends, and help and encourage each other in their work.  Rodriguez added, “I’ve gotten to work with some fantastic breweries like Equal Parts, Frost Town, Bad Astronaut, DECA Brewing, North Shepherd Brewery, and my latest work is with Spindletap Brewing. Through this process I’ve connected with other breweries and photographers in various cities and states, and get to showcase all the amazing things our city and breweries have to offer.”

@ericrodriguez1.8 (IG)

Luis Montalvo Jr.

“I have been into photography for as long as I can remember. My dad had this old Nikon camera in his closet that I would love to sneak out and act like I was using. I was fascinated with the feel of it and how it worked. The way light and mirrors would make a printable image, and the way it worked similar to the human eye.” Montalvo mentioned.  Though having worked for some breweries in the Houston area in some capacity, such as Urban South, Craft Culture X, and most recently with Frost Town, Montalvo has never been officially in marketing for the breweries.  He is co-owner of the local beer marketing brand The Pint Exchange, who has been involved in countless collaborations and promotions across the Houston beer scene.  Among his favorite subjects to photograph are brewing/ distilling equipment and the people that work behind the scenes in the industry. Montalvo has also assisted Houston Beer Guide with projects, like the Houston Beer Block Party VIP session for which we are forever grateful. 

@luistpxmedia (IG)

@thepintexchange (IG)

Marcus West

West is a man of many talents, working not only as stalwart at True Anomaly, but also as a DJ and photographer.  West stated taking photos in middle school, but only in the last couple of years has he pursued a heavier interest in it beyond a hobby.  “I just decided to go down the rabbit hole, take a journey and be able to document life as I see it”, said West. Though his recent foray into the beer photography world, his ability to contribute to True Anomaly Brewing visually adds an extra dimension to the brewery. West also is a very highly valued photographic contributor to Houston Beer Guide.

https://www.visualsbywest.com/

@visualsbywest (IG)

Steve Fraga

Steve is no stranger to photography.  He was first spotted hanging around Saint Arnold circa 2001 with his camera in hand while on the brewery tour. Fraga admits this to be the case, saying, “I was always the guy with the camera at the Saturday tours and beer tastings”. Recently retired, Fraga began delving into the realms of beer photography during Covid as well.  Shortly after, Tim McGuire of Hot Tub Beers asked Steve to assist with shooting episodes of his weekly video blog. From here Fraga became known to Houston Beer Guide after documenting fellow contributor Sylvia in the hot tub with Saloon Door Brewing.  He has since become a key contributor to Houston Beer Guide as a contributing photographer for interviews and the annual Houston Beer Block Party. Fraga also is the videographer for the First Pour video series. 

https://stevefragaphotography.zenfolio.com/

@steve_fraga_photography (IG)

The post National Photography Month brings spotlight on area contributors first appeared on Houston Beer Guide.

The post National Photography Month brings spotlight on area contributors appeared first on Houston Beer Guide.

My goal as a contributor is no different than what I aim for in my own beer quests. Going to new places, trying new beers, learning about the beer industry, and meeting new people. Every brewery and every beer I have found has a person and a back story or an idea. It is fascinating to look at the local beer scene, and parts unknown, and have no reservations about exploring what is out there to experience.

I am a simple person that enjoys quiet time at home with my family and watching bad TV. Simultaneously, I am a brunch whore that craves novelty and loves nothing more than hedonistic misadventures. You are likely to find me taking a nap, as sitting at a brewery, way too drunk talking to people I have never met (and would swear are my old friends) … and in need of some encouragement to find my inner “zen”.

Hopefully we will go on some misadventures together, and I can become that annoying friend that you never really wanted but keep inviting over. Another goal of mine is to cover the local breweries, the staff that bring us the wonderful beer we crave, other establishments and persons of interest in the community that make Houston amazing as fuck, and maybe an unscripted piece or two that has little to do with my task, much to the dismay of the editors. But damn it, it will be fun.

If you recognize me and see me out, say hello and have a beer with me. Sit and chat a bit. I’ll drink anything with you, except a cream ale. You’re on your own there.

And most of all, Cheers All!
Follow me @jackie_von_panda on IG
#lifetakesyoustrangeplaces #begoodtopeople

The post Contributor Introduction: Jackie Von Panda first appeared on Houston Beer Guide.

The post Contributor Introduction: Jackie Von Panda appeared first on Houston Beer Guide.

It was an exciting time to be drinking craft beer in Houston. From 2016 to 2017, it felt like a new brewery opened every other weekend. Drinking at breweries and checking in unique beers on Untappd became the hobby between me and my then girlfriend, now wife. We planned trips around visiting new breweries, or sought out local beers from where we were. We didn’t necessarily care about the types of beer we were drinking as long as they were new and creating new memories for us. 

It seems that the Houston beer scene is entering a new chapter, which is apropos of the revitalization of Houston Beer Guide. For years, growth and openings defined the Houston beer scene, but now I see Houston entering a period of innovation with what breweries are creating, and I’m excited to be a part of the team that will explore this new chapter. 

I want to write about Houston beer in a way that appeals to everyone, from those who have been drinking for years and tout 5,000 unique beers on Untappd to those who are just getting their feet wet in craft beer. Beer has been a big part of my 20s and created countless memories, from spending New Year’s Eve at Galveston Island Brewing to having our engagement party at Eureka Heights Brewing. Houston Beer Guide has the opportunity to help guide people to create new experiences and form new beer memories, and I’m excited to be a part of it and hope that you will join us for the ride.

The post Contributor Introduction: Cody Miller first appeared on Houston Beer Guide.

The post Contributor Introduction: Cody Miller appeared first on Houston Beer Guide.

I actually got into the industry about 8 years ago, when I started volunteering at Saint Arnold in the tap room. At the time I was also teaching music at a high school and was doing this on the weekends. My wonderful wife realised I wasn’t happy teaching, and found a job posting for the Galleria Whole Foods opening, so I applied, interviewed, and got accepted into their specialty department as a bartender at the brewery. From there I moved up to be the beer specialist and was fortunate enough to get my Certified Cicerone. After a few years at the Galleria store, I moved to the Montrose location’s beer department and bar to learn about their higher package volume. Since then, I have transitioned to be a stay at home dad.

I currently enjoy many different beers, but crispy pilsners have been in my fridge fairly regularly the last few months. I have mainly been enjoying the many different new breweries that have been establishing themselves in Houston.

Outside of beer, I teach and play drum set, gigging occasionally and teaching private lessons. I’m an avid nerd, enjoying video games, sci-fi and fantasy books and movies, and tabletop role playing. 

You can find me on Instagram at @AManandHisPint.

The post Contributor Introduction: Josh Wharton first appeared on Houston Beer Guide.

The post Contributor Introduction: Josh Wharton appeared first on Houston Beer Guide.