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About Rebecca McDevitt
Co-founder, Chief Marketing Officer, East Coast Photography Coverage,
& Managing Editor of SoundCheck Mag
From Passion Project to Concert Photography
For Rebecca McDevitt, photography did not start as a career plan. It started as a feeling. Her first camera, a Nikon D3400, was simply meant to capture her world: family, her dogs, and small moments she wanted to hold onto. It was never about becoming a photographer. It was about saving experiences that made her heart feel full.
Everything shifted when she stepped into live music. A few local bands needed photos, and Rebecca, always curious and ready to help, picked up her camera and said yes. What she found was instant electricity. The adrenaline, the lights, the emotion, the way artists and fans reflect each other’s energy. It clicked for her immediately.
"I fell in love with it on the spot," she says. "Live music moves fast. Every moment happens once, and then it is gone. Capturing something in that chaos makes it feel even more special."
Shaping a Signature Style
Rebecca’s foundation formed in the Tri-State cover band scene. Photographing Flowers for Taco and Light Up The Moon gave her a true crash course in the realities of live music photography. Bars and clubs with unpredictable lighting. Fast movement. Crowded rooms. Nothing perfect, everything honest.
"I grew up in a small town where cover bands were the center of our weekends," she says. "It was not glamorous, but it taught me how to adapt and how to create something beautiful with whatever I was given."
Those early nights shaped her signature style. Moody. Alternative. Emotional. A little gritty, yet full of warmth. Deep contrast, shadow, intention, and an editing approach that values authenticity over perfection. Her work feels like Rebecca, and that energy has connected with fans and artists across genres.
A Defining Moment Behind the Lens
Out of all the shows she has photographed, The Basement Yard Experience still stands out. It was not a traditional concert, but the energy felt just as powerful.
She photographed the Washington, D.C. stop in June 2024, and it stayed with her. "It was very fan-centered," she says. "Watching people show up for something that means so much to them, and capturing their excitement and joy, reminded me why I love live events. It made me appreciate the community side of what I do."
Building SoundCheck
Mag: A New Vision for
Music Journalism
Photography opened the door to the music world, but Rebecca quickly noticed something missing. Smaller artists, behind-the-scenes creatives, and fans rarely received coverage in major publications. That gap is what inspired her and her co-founder, LJ Portnoy, to create SoundCheck Mag.
"There are so many people who make music possible that never get talked about," she says. "Photographers, lighting techs, videographers, producers. They matter. And fans matter too. Fans create the energy that artists feed off. We wanted SoundCheck to be a place where everyone is included."
SoundCheck began with a simple idea. Community first. Storytelling that feels real. A platform that lifts up the voices that usually go unnoticed.
A Mission Beyond
the Mainstream
SoundCheck Mag aims to celebrate music in an honest and personal way. Instead of chasing celebrity stories, Rebecca and her team focus on rising artists, local creatives, and the people behind the scenes who shape the live music experience.
"We care about the stories that get overlooked," she says. "Stories that make people feel connected. We want readers to feel closer to the artists they already love and discover the ones they have not met yet."
Her long-term vision is to expand SoundCheck into a bi-coastal publication with teams in New York City and Los Angeles. She wants to build a larger creative network that continues to redefine what music media can look like.
Leading SoundCheck
Mag: A Multi-Faceted Role
Rebecca holds several roles at SoundCheck. CMO. Co-founder. East Coast Photography Coverage Lead. Managing Editor. Each role touches a different part of the magazine’s heartbeat. Her responsibilities include:
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Leading the brand and marketing vision for SoundCheck.
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Hiring and mentoring a diverse team of creatives.
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Designing the visual identity and layout of each issue.
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Writing interviews, features, and press releases that uplift rising talent.
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Coordinating artist collaborations and partnerships in a thoughtful and intentional way.
Her favorite part will always be discovering new artists and capturing their work through photography. She loves creating a space where creatives and fans feel supported, valued, and understood.
A Creative Force in Music Media
Rebecca is more than a photographer or a writer. She is a storyteller who leads with connection and emotion. Through SoundCheck Mag, she is building a home for artists, fans, and behind-the-scenes creatives who make the industry move.
Her lens captures more than a moment. It captures soul, gratitude, and the feeling of being part of something bigger.
Advice for Aspiring Photographers & Writers
Rebecca’s advice is rooted in her own experience.
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Photographers: “Give yourself permission to learn. Your early work will not be perfect, and that is okay. Try new things, study lighting, watch tutorials, and keep shooting until you find your style.”
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Writers: “Write often, even when it feels small. Every piece builds your voice. Keep going. Your perspective has value.”
Personal Favorites
and Fun Facts
Rebecca’s music taste comes from the artists who shaped her through every era of life. Some of her favorite albums include:
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"Lovely Little Lonely" by The Maine
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"Best Intentions" by We Are The In Crowd
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'Manic' by Halsey
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'Earthly Delights' by David Archuleta
The Jonas Brothers have been her favorite band since she was a teenager, and photographing them remains her biggest dream. "If that ever happens, I will absolutely cry happy tears," she says.
Outside of music and photography, Rebecca has a fun hidden talent. She once placed 9th in a state bowling tournament, a fact that always surprises people and makes her smile every time she shares it.