Most high school kids have run-of-the-mill jobs–babysitting, working at the mall, cashiers at fast food restaurants–most for experience and a little extra money.  In the lull of the day, or during the exhausting late night shifts, they dream having a glamorous job and meeting famous people. They dream of being like senior Hallie Schwalm.

Schwalm’s photography has gotten her the opportunity to work for the record company Epic Records; home of The Fray, The Script, and Modest Mouse.

Schwalm gets to take pictures at concerts signed by the record label and Epic Records uses some of her photos for advertisements and for anything else needed.
“I get to take pictures for the first three songs of every act,” Schwalm said.

Schwalm is doing a job that many students would be jealous of. However, getting a job like this is not easy. It takes talent  and credentials, like experience in an AP photo class. It also helps to have a connection. For Schwalm, it was her dad.

“My dad met Billy the Kid at a work thing,” Schwalm said.  “He showed him some pictures I had taken at a previous concert and Billy the Kid was like, ‘Those are really good.’”

The pictures were shown to Epic Records and the label quickly added Schwalm to their team. Schwalm has been a part of Epic Records for 10 months and while she doesn’t get to go to every concert because some of the venues are harder to get into than others, she generally gets to go to the ones she really wants to.

“If there is a concert I really want to go to, I just ask them about it, and they are normally able to work it out,” Schwalm said.

The last concert Schwalm attended featured The Script at the House of Blues in Dallas on October 29.  For Schwalm, someone who has followed The Script from the beginning of their career, this was an experience she would never forget.

“I got to meet the band and take pictures at their sound check,” Schwalm said. “Meeting them was amazing, they’re so down to earth.”

Schwalm is definitely thankful to have a job like this.

“The last job I had, I worked at Braum’s. It sucked,” senior Hailey White said.  “I would much rather be taking pictures for a concert.”