Was it something you always wanted to do? The short answer to both of those questions is No. The reply I typically give is, “I didn't find photography, photography found me.” As cheesy as it sounds, it was a vast combination of life events and extraordinary people, which lead me into this role that I treasure every day that I get to do it. My overall philosophy would be that life presents things t
o you when you are ready to handle them and that if you're smart you utilize the lessons in your past, to execute them; at the highest level of quality. For me and the way my life played out, that road brought me my love of Photography through music. Music was always the way I could communicate and work through things, whether it be with myself or with others. I started carrying a camera with me to shows, so I could visually capture the emotions I felt while I was seeing it, so I would never forget how I felt at “that show.” ß (insert favorite band here) Yeah, see if you're reading this, you already get that statement! It held such a high importance to me and I wanted others to get it too! I don't know why, I just knew I could connect that for other fans. That through me they could still get that feeling, even if they hadn't been at the show. This brings me to the second question people most often ask me, “Why do you primarily shoot music, why don't you shoot weddings, landscapes or babies more often?” Well, for me it’s simple. Although I love capturing all those things too! First above all, I love music and I believe in everything it encompasses. Music is where my life began, it’s where I grew up, nurtured lifelong friendships, and it’s where I became who I am. Anyone who knows me can tell you, music has always been a huge part of my life. I started playing clarinet when I was in fourth grade and singing in my school chorus. I remember I could read music before I understood any equations or sentence structure and for me it was the one and only thing that always made sense. I continued playing music throughout high school, both formally and socially and eventually it became my minor in college. Here’s when it happened though, I got a wicked case of stage fright and I'm sad to say it overcame me, from here the music tapered off as a major part of my life; at least as far as me performing. Still, it was always present in some form. What I'm getting to is, I understand! I understand so much more of what’s happening when someone’s playing music, than anyone else who didn't have this background. I understand the complexities and the layers that someone else would most likely overlook. I know what it’s like be on stage, exposing who you are, sharing your deepest thoughts, and being vulnerable. I get how it feels to have a crowd react and to celebrate the music. I know what it’s like to practice for weeks so the chords fall together effortlessly, or how it feels to hit that note the way you practiced it. It’s an indescribable feeling and it deserves to be captured accordingly. So here is where Photography stepped into my life and stole my heart. I discovered a medium that expressed how I felt about music and put it into a tangible form. It was a way to show all the musicians I admired and respected, how I saw the music they played and how much it meant to me that they continue to do it. It also reconnected me into my music and brought back to the joy music gave me. It started very organically with my close friends, shooting their bands when I was in college and it’s progressed into something so much more than I could ever expected today. So no I didn't get the traditional “training” when it comes to photography. Still, I'm not at all ashamed of that, nor do I think it makes me any less capable. I learned Photography, just how I learn everything…the hard way. I did it through feeling the sounds of the music with the musicians, through watching the faces of the fans and talking with the people who it affected/changed. I learned Photography getting pushed around in the pit, dodging drinks, adjusting shutter speeds + apertures while lighting bounced off everything and while band members moved all over the stage. I learned it by doing and shooting live local music as much as humanly possible. I 100% believe that you're only as good as your end product and I know I have a unique method, but I set out to shoot as many shows as I possibly could and to challenge myself every day to get better. I still have those goals today and I believe I always will. There is never an end point for me, just like the musicians I shoot. I am constantly growing, learning, and pushing myself to be better. My photography came from a very grassroots beginning and my heart is so full of love for the bands who have helped and supported me, it means more than you'll ever know. You're so much of the reason I now get to do this job; as a local music community your support has been overwhelming and I thank you for inviting me into your families. Why am I telling you all this? Well, I want you to know who I am and why I do what I do. Yes, I love the end product of an amazing picture. Still, it’s so much more than that. I really believe it starts with who your photographer is and how they see things. Most importantly, how it relates to what you're trying to accomplish. This is who I am and this is what I can contribute to what you're trying to do. This is the approach that I take every day when it comes to my photography. I hit the ground running and began the journey that I continue on today, because for me that’s what it is an ever evolving exciting journey. If you'll trust me to take that trip with you I know the sky’s the limit.
