Capturing the Lowrider Life: The Visual Storytelling of Tony Two Times

From the basketball court to the front lines of Seattle’s lowrider community, the path to professional photography is rarely a straight line. Local photographer Tony Two Times recently joined host Trae Holiday on “The Day With Trae” to discuss his transition from aspiring athlete to visual storyteller, born out of personal loss and a surprising gift from his father.

Tony's journey began during a period of deep grief following his uncle’s passing from cancer. While still pursuing his dreams of professional basketball, his father purchased his first camera and asked him to document the funeral in an effort to help him find a new focus, he said. This experience sparked an interest that would eventually redefine his career.

Initially starting with documenting the lowrider community, Tony began capturing the intricate details and exciting atmosphere of car shows. One pivotal moment occurred at the Eazy Duz It Car Show in White Center, Washington where he saw his art make a real impact.

“I just love to see people's reactions and how that photo made them feel... you don't even know what people are going through, so that photo meant a lot to them,” he said. 

By his second year in business, Tony’s dedication to networking and his consistent presence at car shows led to a major career milestone: having his work featured in “Lowrider Magazine.” He credited much of his development to his athletic background, applying the same principles of hard work and practice to mastering the technical aspects of photography.

"My biggest thing was angles... I'm 6'5", so I'm tall, so my eye level is a lot different than everybody else,” he said. 

Today, Tony continues to expand his portfolio, working with models and capturing everyday life in Seattle. He remains driven by the power of photography to document history and preserve memories for future generations. 

For those looking to connect with his work, follow Tony on social media and reach out to him via email at shotbytony2x@gmail.com. Check out his work here. 

Catch “The Day With Trae” Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 11 a.m. on all Converge streaming platforms.

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