Today we’d like to introduce you to Sandra OHara.
Hi Sandra, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up in Normangee, Texas, on my grandfather’s farm. As far back as I can remember, I’ve always had a passion for art in all its forms, and there has always been music playing somewhere in the background. Alongside those passions, I also dreamed of serving in the military.
Throughout my childhood, my cousins had a band called Parker Heights. Before he became a household name, Chase Rice wasn’t the only future star I crossed paths with Cody Johnson actually opened for Parker Heights when he was just getting started. When I was 11 years old, my family moved to Austin, Texas. I later graduated from McNeil High School alongside my now-husband, who currently serves in the U.S. Army. During high school, I was also involved in AFJROTC.
Shortly after graduation, I joined the United States Air Force. My first duty station was Osan Air Base in South Korea. On my very first night there, Nelly happened to be performing outside my dormitory. I walked downstairs and watched the show, which was an unforgettable welcome to Korea.
About seven months later, Chase Rice arrived in South Korea as part of a USO tour. During one of the shows, I started talking with his lead guitarist, John Souki, about life, music, and our shared interests. By pure luck, I happened to have time off for every one of their Korea tour stops, so I attended all of them. One memorable night after a show, we accidentally hoisted Chase Rice through a ceiling while celebrating. It made for one of those stories that sounds unbelievable but still makes me laugh years later.
Over time, I got to know Souki and the rest of the band. During one conversation, he mentioned that he was building an in-house recording studio and wanted to decorate it with artwork collected from his travels. Since I was a painter, I offered to create something for him.
A few months later, I was stationed at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey. One day, I noticed Chase Rice was playing only 20 minutes from base on a day I got off work early. I messaged Souki and asked if I could have the painting delivered to him at the show.
His response was immediate: “Absolutely! Have the delivery person pull around back where the bus is, and I’ll meet them.”
Instead of sending someone else, I delivered it myself. Pulling around backstage and surprising everyone with the fact that I was back stateside made for a great reunion.
This next detail seems minor, but it ended up becoming a defining part of my story.
Along with the painting, I had baked cookies for the band and crew. At the time, Chase was touring with Texas artist Sam Riggs. We shared cookies, caught up for a bit, and then I headed out front to enjoy the show.
Afterward, I looked at Chase’s upcoming tour schedule and realized many of the dates were within driving distance. I bought tickets for the next show.
At that next concert, I brought cookies again, this time by request. I had gotten off work later than expected and arrived in my Air Force uniform. I could’ve gone home to change and been late for the show, but if I did I don’t think life would’ve turned out how it did. Because as I stepped onto the bus in the dark, someone suddenly bumped into me and yelled, “Watch it!”
Without missing a beat, I replied, “No, you watch it.”
That someone happened to be Sam Riggs.
The moment he recognized me, we both immediately apologized and laughed it off. Looking back, we both probably needed to watch where we were going.
From that point forward, I became known simply as “Cookie Girl.” Every show seemed to come with an expectation that I’d arrive carrying fresh cookies.
A few months later, I flew home on leave and discovered Sam Riggs was playing nearby. I attended the show, brought cookies, and spent time catching up. We had stayed connected through Instagram between shows, and not long after, Sam surprised me by sending an enormous box of merchandise. He certainly didn’t have to, but I still have every piece today.
Not long afterward, my life took an unexpected turn.
I suffered a serious injury that required two knee surgeries. Eventually, the Air Force determined that I was no longer fit for military service. Leaving the military was one of the most difficult experiences of my life. It felt like losing a part of my identity. I had spent my entire childhood dreaming about serving and never seriously considered another career path.
During my transition out of the military, I devoted myself to volunteer work. Through organizations like the USO, animal shelters, churches, therapeutic horseback riding programs, and numerous military and community events, I spent countless hours helping wherever I could.
Along the way, I discovered I had a talent for event and show production. I began focusing my education and energy in that direction.
After separating from the Air Force, I reached out to Sam Riggs and asked if I could help work a few shows. At the time, I was living in El Paso, Texas, but I had already decided I would make every drive and every trip necessary if it meant creating an opportunity for myself.
At my first show with Sam which held at Floore’s Country Store. I quickly realized stage setup might not be my calling. Then I noticed a photographer named Andrew Quinn working with his camera.
I remember saying out loud, “That’s what I want to do.”
From that moment forward, I immersed myself in learning photography. I studied camera settings, low-light techniques, composition, concert etiquette, and everything else I could get my hands on.
Sam graciously allowed me to follow the band around with my camera, and in 2019 I photographed every single one of his shows. That same year, I photographed my first music festival: the All American Music Festival in Ruidoso, New Mexico.
In a full-circle moment, Chase Rice was the headliner.
The lineup also included Dylan Scott and Frank Ray. It felt surreal to be standing there as a photographer after having started as a fan years earlier.
Not long afterward, one of my photographs of Chase Rice was published in an article. That moment became a turning point, and my photography career began gaining momentum.
In 2023, I stepped away from photography temporarily after welcoming my rainbow baby, Amelia. Like many parents, I worried that taking time away might mean losing opportunities.
I took the risk anyway.
In 2025, after the birth of my son, Owen, my family moved back to Austin from El Paso. Around that time, I saw that Sam Riggs was scheduled to perform at Haute Spot in Cedar Park. I reached out and asked if I could photograph the show.
Thankfully, he said yes.
Afterward, I contacted the venue and offered them access to my photos. Donovan Cavanaugh loved the idea, and before long, he offered me a position as Haute Spot’s house photographer.
It has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.
Through Haute Spot, I have had the privilege of photographing artists I grew up listening to, including Lonestar and The Oak Ridge Boys, as well as bands that defined my middle school years, like Plain White T’s and We The Kings.
Every show is an opportunity to learn, grow, and create.
Most recently, I began working with Timothy Lopez of Plain White T’s, also known by his country music project, Timothy Howls. Photographing those shows has been another incredible chapter in this journey.
Looking back, I never could have imagined where a farm kid from Normangee would end up. From military service to photography pits, backstage buses to sold-out venues, every step has led me somewhere meaningful.
I am endlessly grateful to everyone who has given me an opportunity along the way. From the United States Air Force to Haute Spot, from musicians who welcomed me into their world to fans who connect with my work, every chapter has shaped who I am today.
And the best part is that I’m still learning, still creating, and still writing the next chapter of the story.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely bumpy. Sorry I kinda gave the most of the story in the last box. But it’s definitely been hard. From photos being stolen, to unpaid shows, and endless driving to and from one show and state to another.
Plus life bumps added challenges. Infertility, my knee injury, military spouse struggles. It’s been like if I were Mator from cars driving on the bumpy new road with a smile saying “it rides pretty smooth” haha
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a concert photographer for Haute Spot.
I have worked well over 500 shows in my career now and am always learning.
I have worked for some of the biggest and smallest names. And every show makes me proud.
I am not sure about what sets me apart but I am always going to put my best effort into every set no matter the size of the crowd. Every person is getting their chance to make their dream happen and I want to help them succeed even if it’s one photo that changes that for them.
The saying a photo is worth a thousand words is more than true and I stand on that.
I can’t pick one proud moment because there’s too many. But I always get giddy when an artists shares my photo. Or they get excited to meet me because they’ve heard of me.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Don’t be afraid to start small. Yes the big artists are out there but so are small ones who will be big one day. You never know who will also be your slingshot.
It’s cheesy I know! But take every opportunity.
For a mentor let the person who is teaching you critique you good and bad. Bad criticism is just as important because that’s where you learn what you can do to take another step.
Ask for help too. And ask for any opportunity. And don’t be discouraged by “no”
Pricing:
- Portraits $100-$300
- Concerts $100-$500 or within a budget of an artist
- Graphics $50-$200
Contact Info:
- Website: https://SweetOHPhotos.myportfolio.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/sweetoh.photos
- Other: Sweetohphotos@gmail.com
