Why Music Photography
I went to my first concert in 2012. My best friend Shelby and I drove to downtown Austin, TX and waited in line outside Stubb’s BBQ. We filed into the outdoor venue—humidity wrapping itself around us and seeping into our pores, dirt beneath our feet, and the familiar, comforting drone of the cicadas mixing with the aroma of alcohol and cigarettes.
And then she came on stage—Ingrid Michaelson! She was touring her “Human Again” album and she started the show with “Fire.” She and each of her bandmates had drums that they all hit in unison and it was so loud and so powerful and I was…elated. I loved the feeling of the bass vibrations crawling up through the bottoms of my feet and into my chest. It felt hearty and meaningful. The night was the perfect combination of dancing and crying, and I remember arriving home later that night—ears completely ringing—and thinking, ‘I have to do that again.’
Since then, I’ve been to more concerts than I can count. (Somebody asked me once how many concerts I’ve been to and I was like, “A lot…” and he was like, “But like, give me an estimate?” and I was like “Dude, I literally cannot.”) Most concerts are for my own enjoyment, but while I was pursuing a BFA in photography at BYU, I began crossing paths with some local musicians who let me photograph their shows—White Collar Caddy, The Solarists, and Motion Coaster. I loved being around them, whether we were backstage, on stage, or eating burgers after a show. I loved the access it gave me, and I loved the camaraderie. (I became somewhat of a groupie for Motion Coaster specifically—miss you, my dudes!)
I think most of all, I loved watching people do what they loved. Musicians always have a certain passion, and photographing them performing allowed me to be a part of that in such an intimate way. I love the big feelings and the big energy, and going back through those photos later allowed me to re-live those moments of, well, elation.
When I was deciding where to move for a photography internship after finishing school, I somehow ended up debating between Portland and Nashville. I visited both of those cities and met with photographers at coffee shops to try to get a sense of what the markets were like. In Nashville, I showed people my portfolio who told me I could absolutely be successful there, in Music City, with my caliber of work. I felt a sort of magic and possibility there. In Portland, I learned that the market was sports-dominated, with Nike and Adidas and whatnot. Those were not the clients I was shooting for, but I loved the city and was drawn to PDX as well.
Then I visited with Nicolle Clemetson at her studio in St. John’s and told her I was so conflicted about where I wanted to end up. She talked up the pros of Portland, of course, and she also said something that boosted my confidence. It was something along the lines of, “If you want to shoot bands, then girl, you f**kin shoot bands!”
I ended up moving to Portland and being her intern. She rocked my world and gave me confidence in a new city. I began reaching out to local venues to ask if I could shoot shows, and soon I was photographing at Doug Fir Lounge, The Old Church Concert Hall, and the Aladdin Theater. This past month, I’ve been on cloud nine: getting into shows for some of my favorite musicians for free (like, what??), sometimes bringing +1s to spread the love, getting press passes; it’s been the absolute best. So freaking tiring, but the best.
This week, I went to the Crystal Ballroom for the first time and had the pleasure of shooting one of my very favorite bands: Hippo Campus. That show meant more to me than I can express. I loved being in the pit, inches away from them. It felt like the brink of bigger things. I have my fingers crossed for more opportunities—hopefully some styled portraiture—in the future.
Thanks for sticking with me through the nostalgia. I hope it all brings you some sort of elation.