For this edition of Through My Lens, we turn our focus to Jonathan, widely known as SM, a Toronto based concert, nightclub, and event photographer whose work lives in motion. Drawn to fas -paced environments where light shifts by the second, Jonathan documents nightlife as a living, breathing culture. His images are not just about who was there, but how it felt to be there, the pulse of the crowd, the intimacy of shared joy, and the fleeting moments that define the night. Through his lens, music becomes memory, and celebration becomes story.

Can you introduce yourself and tell us a little about who you are as a photographer?
My name is Jonathan aka SM, and I’m a concert nightclub and event photographer in Toronto. I specialize in capturing the energy atmosphere, and real moments that happen in fast-paced environments. Whether it’s a packed club a live performance, or a special event, I focus on freezing the emotion, the lighting, and the vibe in a way that feels authentic.
I love working in environments where things can change in a split second it pushes me to be creative, adaptable, and always ready to catch the shot that tells the story.

What emotions themes or stories do you try to capture through photography?
I try to capture excitement and joy. The world is already hard enough, and people come to clubs and parties to unwind and escape. Seeing people genuinely happy, letting loose, and having fun is what makes powerful photos. I focus on those moments because they reflect why these spaces matter.

How does your photography connect to conversations movements or inspire change?
Since I photograph a lot of Afrobeats and Caribbean events, my work helps change perceptions around these cultures. By capturing the energy in these spaces, I show that these genres aren’t only enjoyed by people from those cultures, but by everyone. We see this clearly at concerts.  when artists like Vybz Kartel or Davido came to Toronto, the diversity in the audience was undeniable. That’s what I aim to capture through my photos shared energy, cultural crossover, and how music brings people together.

What’s something you want people to understand about you beyond the lens or beyond photography?
I want people to understand that just as much as I love capturing people having fun I also love to have fun I’m not getting any younger so I try to spend my days doing fun things like volunteering, going to networking events, festivals and all that stuff. When I’m not doing that I try to work on my editing to get better and also create content on tiktok.