sdotpdot Media

Shedrick Pelt is an editorial, live-event and commercial photographer. He specializes in documentary, music, product and portrait photography with a style driven by an urge to be the fly on the wall, capturing an experience without disrupting the nature of the moment. Running a professional, service-oriented business, he believes that connecting with the client is the catalyst for a successful shoot. BASED in Washington D.C., Shedrick works worldwide while keeping strong ties to the local community in his hometown of Huntsville, Alabama, and his adopted home of NYC. “Transitioning through life with a bold new approach."

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You can gauge the strength of a tribe by how they re-build after trauma. How they come together during hard times. Maga thought they came to town and destroyed our spirits. The gathering tonight, with the singular goal of “What they took down will go back up”, shows different #wekeepussafe (at Black Lives Matter Plaza, D.C.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHrNNjxFPDn/?igshid=1s357ycz5r5az

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My favorite changes from week to week but currently this film Canonet QL17 is the apple of my eye. Happy #nationalcameraday #mycamerasetups #canonetql17 (at Kolumbijský distrikt) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCCM-42F8_t/?igshid=lya0xbgz1l5f

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Black is beautiful ✊🏾 #Juneteenth Pentax 6x7 📸 * Portra 400 🎞 #film #analog #120film #dc #pentax6x7 #blacklivesmatter #mediunformat #igdc #streethoney #thedarkroomlab (at Black Lives Matter Plaza) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCOrAl2FxPw/?igshid=10aujwsc004ds

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Be the change you want to see #Juneteenth Canonet QL17 📸 * Fujifilm Fujicolor 200 🎞 (🎨: @jgrafx.studios) #film #analog #35mm #dc #canonetql17 #blacklivesmatter #igdc #streethoney #protest (at Chinatown, Washington DC) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCWhQrqlDsM/?igshid=lyk4qmvroe2u

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The movement doesn’t stop just because the media is no longer interested. They still matter, every single one of them... Canonet QL17 📸 Kodak Gold 200 🎞 #film #analog #35mm #dc #canonetql17 #blacklivesmatter #igdc (at Kolumbijský distrikt) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCw2b1ol5uB/?igshid=v74rd28q510k

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White supremacy is as American as apple pie 🔥 🥧 🔥 Canonet QL17 📸 Kodak Gold 200 🎞 #film #analog #35mm #dc #canonetql17 #blacklivesmatter #igdc #statefilmlab #coolfilmclub #exposeddc (at Kolumbijský distrikt) https://www.instagram.com/p/CC0ohSwFu9F/?igshid=llp1z8k7ejcb

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“Get in GOOD TROUBLE” - John Lewis ✊🏾 Pentax 6x7 📸 Portra 400 🎞 #film #analog #120film #dc #pentax6x7 #blacklivesmatter #mediunformat #igdc #streethoney (at Malcolm X Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCyzrazlxO-/?igshid=1hm5nuh4gll56

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May 16th, 2019 we went up for the city and the culture as @explorethecamp's first hip-hop event! Making the night extra special is that the fact it was a family affair with @sdotpdotmedia & @dizzyd256 showcasing their art on the same stage. Big shoutout to every family member, friend, and associate that showed up to support. The energy in the room was amazing. Also s/o @codieglobal for working with us on this thang, Cricketta for helping do the dirty work behind the scenes, and The Camp for opening their doors. Here's a few photos from the night 📸 by Rikk Webb. We also want to thank the other artist involved DJ A-Twist,  @slizzy703 Damian Cawthorn @randbvibeslive for lending us their talents. Yall Rocked it! We'll continue to be up there so join us. Links to Dizzy's album and Shedrick's book are below. #weupthere 🚀

Dizzy D 'Top Floor': https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/top-floor/1463132653

Shedrick's book '2009 and Beyond': https://sdotpdotshop.bigcartel.com/pro…/2009-and-beyond-book

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Around this time for the past few years I’ve had the special privilege of documenting a diverse and dedicated group of international women as they connect in DC to share experiences and ideas for @vitalvoices Fortune Program. These are the moments that carry you through life #nonprofit #womenempowerment #portrait (at Washington, District of Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxoGMlkFaV8/?igshid=1de821jrifttd

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Shoutout this guy for picking up this print from my book. He actually did the lighting for the show @verticalhouserecords. Talk about organic! (If you know him tag him please) #weupthere (at The Camp) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxnIJfOFo1M/?igshid=18t2qcdtoezfx

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May 16th, 2019 we went up for the city and the culture as @explorethecamp's first hip-hop event! Making the night extra special is that the fact it was a family affair with @sdotpdotmedia & @dizzyd256 showcasing their art on the same stage. Big shoutout to every family member, friend, and associate that showed up to support. The energy in the room was amazing. Also s/o @codieglobal for working with us on this thang, @cricketta for helping do the dirty work behind the scenes, and The Camp for opening their doors. Here's a few photos from the night 📸 by @rikkwebbmuzic . We also want to thank the other artist involved @aaronatwist @slizzy703 Damian Cawthorn @randbvibeslive for lending us their talents. Yall Rocked it! We'll continue to be up there so join us. Links to Dizzy's album and Shedrick's book are below. #weupthere 🚀 Photo album of the evening: https://www.facebook.com/100000088728956/posts/2485402134806053?sfns=mo (at The Camp) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxkoaBEF-8C/?igshid=b9nivwzmfplo

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Due to weather we’ve had to reschedule our event to May 16th! We hope you’ll be able to make it out. #weupthere https://www.facebook.com/events/1017715201907570/?ti=ia (at The Camp) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxUxAQdlTOz/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=e2ya0x4xvyhq

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Peace be unto you 🌙 https://www.instagram.com/p/BxHo27pFqPQ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=n0ce647g3ks8

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Huntsville + surrounding areas my bro & I are having a family affair and need y’all to stand up! ————————————————————- Join us Friday, May 10th 2019 at @explorethecamp for a conversation with SXSW music photographer Shedrick Pelt as he discusses his journey and the experience of creating his new photo book ‘2009 and Beyond’. As an added bonus, Huntsville rapper @dizzyd256 will perform with a live band to kick off the release of his latest album “Top Floor”. 🚀 (at The Camp Huntsville) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvzPY__FJPz/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=akevrojjrrdl

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Portraits of SXSW 2019

_by shedrick pelt

 As the story goes, you land in Austin on a Sunday for SXSW, perform at a few showcases, and by the following Monday you’ve blown up into an internationally known recording artist. But for the majority of artists, the importance of the trip south is in connecting the dots. Rubbing elbows with like-minded individuals that can give you some insight into their experiences and maybe offer some idea of how to navigate the landmine-laden landscape of the music industry. Most people I’ve met have started out as a business transaction, but now it’s a lot more personal. There’s a lot more hugs than daps when we pull up. SXSW offers these rare opportunities because it is an event that welcomes an array of people, no matter their race, gender, or sexual orientation, to a place full of energy where there’s always somewhere to plug in. This opportunity gives some their one shot during the year to really build and network.

‘Portraits of SXSW’ is an examination of the artists who are bringing themselves to SXSW on blood, sweat, and tears – and sometimes their own back account – to further their career, meet genuinely good people, and connect with the industry. The eclectic group featured, shot at Austin-centric locations, represent different backgrounds and regions of the United States. Some have been scarred by life but you can’t tell and some have a legendary folklore attached to their art. All come here with a passion for the community and a love for the culture.

photos & words by shedrick pelt (@sdotpdotmedia)       #sxswportraits

Artist: (In Order)

Lamour Supreme, Dotti J, Koran Streets, Teeta, Willy Peso

For almost a year and a half during my design internship at OG streetwear brand Mishka.  I watched the man, the myth, the legend Lamour Supreme create masterful works of art seemingly out of thin air. Sometimes on a paint can or a mailing sticker or even the back of an office chair.  And while you would naturally big up his god given talent, striking up a conversation with him you’d soon realize he is a student of the game and an all around genuine person. Growing up in the Bronx circa 1980 Lamour spent his time interested in street art and witnessing the birth of hip hop. Giving him plenty of street cred. Made obvious with a multitude of collaborations with  NYC culture institutions including KATZ Deli. It was great catching up with him at SXSW during his Secret Walls live painting session. We chatted about the warehouse days and old New York.

The next artist featured was a very special session for me. Dotti J a singer/songwriter/choreographer out of Orlando, Florida is also a really close friend of mine. Watching this young woman fight for every inch early in her career to now gracing a stage on 6th Street in Austin, Texas tugs at my heartstrings a little bit. She is talented, strong-willed, and gracious: three character traits that will help her traverse through the industry. It only made sense that we took the photos on the infamous block, at the heart of the city. Dotti is destined for the limelight and with new music on the way I have no doubt you’ll be a lot more familiar with her in the near future.

My session with Berkeley rapper/actor/director Koran Streets features a well known Austin landmark the Cathedral of Junk. Located due east of downtown, this art installation is anything but junk. Vince Hannemann started his collecting and construction in 1989. He placed a castle at the center of the property stretching into the clouds. And at the apex of it, a thrown for a king or queen -- whoever braves the climb to the top that day. Koran arrives with open arms and a spirit to match. Jeremy Karelis and the Steady Leanin team are not far behind because it’s a family thang. We skipped the line on the things you’d expect us to talk about like the music industry and past tragedies, and went straight to current inspirations and what the future holds. Everything about the shoot was organic. We’re just a couple flowers trying to flourish in the desert sand. 

   If you visit a city as many times as I’ve visited ATX for SXSW it’d be disrespectful not to connect with the local folk. And nothing says hometown like your favorite pizza shop or the kid born and raised in the area. So with my fourth session I killed two birds with one stone and tapped rapper Teeta for the link up. Shot at the go to pie shop Home Slice Pizza on South Congress. An establishment visited by thousands and thousands of people like me since it’s 2005 opening. I felt comfortable like my grandmothers living room. With all the nostalgia flowing the shoot was primed to be a moment full of flavor.

This last artist, and certainly not the least, is one that I really connected with on a “spiritual” level. Willy Peso representing Detroit, Michigan is easily one of hip hop’s most pro-cannabis influencers. Along with curating events and seminars teaching the benefits of medical/recreational bud. He has also created a lifestyle brand ‘Stoned Like Willy’ to promote cannabis related clothing. In bringing the two communities together, Willy has garnered much respect in both industries. He is no stranger to making plays, sharing time on the road with legends like Devin The Dude, Curren$y, and Smoke DZA to name a few. He also headlines major festivals like Hightimes Cannabis Cup and DC Flower Fest (where I first met him). So with all that in tow, it was only right that we shot at Austin’s one and only bohemian style fine art studio Casa Neverlandia. A multi-room installation, south of the Colorado River, created by James Talbot in his home. It’s been 30 years in the making and ever changing. Each room has an experience of its own. There’s a fire, ice, and water temple. A 60ft tower with chain linked bridge. A dojo, and what can only be explained as a Geisha’s sleeping quarters. This was a perfect way to end my series.

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📸 For those familiar with me or my career know that the trip down south to Austin, Texas for SXSW is by far my favorite time of the year. Shooting for the festival provides me with training and mentorship but I also love to connect with other artist and work on some personal projects. In my photo series ‘Portraits of SXSW’ I get a chance to scratch both itches. Shout out to the artist involved; @lamoursupreme @dotti_j @koranstreets @theteeta @willyjpeso. Stay tuned!!! #sxswportraits #sxswphotocrew #sxsw2019 🌵 (at Austin, Texas) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwKmLbDlhUP/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ofod1kaxj9yn

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🔥 Flooding your TL because: “On Tuesday April 7th at @fillmoresilverspring, @DMX solidified himself as the comeback king. After 20 years in the game, 10 of which he spent publicly battling his inner demons, X is back on the road for his ‘It’s Dark And Hell Is Hot’ anniversary tour.” This one was very personal for me. (shot for @parklifedc LINKINBIO) #dmx #musicphotography #dc 🔥 https://parklifedc.com/2019/04/09/live-review-dmx-the-fillmore-silver-spring-4-7-19/ (at The Fillmore Silver Spring) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwC3NHslSFc/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=10zdk6xe1vyns