They say a photo can be worth a thousand words. But, sometimes you need a photo to capture that feeling, moment and emotion that no words can describe. This is one thing I love about photography. While a photo I take may stir one emotion in me, it could stir a totally different emotion in someone else. It is all up to the interpretation. But, the thing I love most about photography is capturing the moment in time forever. In five years now, I can look back and remember the moment like I was back there again.
I think I have always had a bit of a passion for photography. I can vividly remember always having a camera around growing up. When my mom moved a few years ago I received all the boxes of my childhood stuff, and inside them were envelopes upon envelopes of photos. It reminded me of how exciting it was to take your film and get it developed. You really didn’t know if any of the photos would be what you expected. And to be honest, most of the ones in those boxes were total crap. There were a few though that made for a nice walk down memory lane.
It was three years ago when I finally decided to take the plunge and buy my first professional camera. I bought it mostly to help with what I was doing at my job at the time. My friend, mentor and amazing photographer Brian Douglas, helped me decide what camera would be best. He showed me some basics and gave me some of the best advice, to get out there and shoot.
That is the amazing thing about photography, it is one of those things you that to really learn you have to get out there and do it. I had no idea what I was doing at first. Sure, I had been taking pictures since I was a kid, but to learn how to frame a shot, adjust settings, and making the picture come alive during editing, that has been a journey. I was lucky that along with Brian, I had other friends and mentors who showed me some tricks and tips in the beginning. I feel like I watched hours of YouTube videos learning everything that I could.
Another chance of luck happened when Brian, who was an afternoon DJ at the radio station I work at, had the amazing opportunity to become a unit still photographer for movies and tv shows! That opened the door for me to start doing concert photography for the station. At that point, I had only been taking photos for fun and at station sponsored events and concerts. At these events, I had pretty much free reign of where to shoot from and how long I could. I knew normal concerts would be a whole new ball game.
My first non-station sponsored concert was Charlie Puth at Cincinnati’s historic venue Bogarts. To say I was nervous would be an understatement. I had no idea what I would be in for. I remember googling pit etiquette to see my dos and don’ts. Whatever did we do before google? But the show ended up being great, and I was able to get some shots that I really loved.
It was not until that summer that I had my first “real” concert photographer experience. I had lucked out at the first few shows I had photographed that there were not really any other photographers in the pits. But, I knew walking into going to the Blink 182 show that there would be a lot of talented and experienced photographers to share the pit with at Riverbend, our large outdoor venue that I feel like I pretty much live there in the summers now. But, that first concert I shot there I was so nervous.
I walked into the media trailer with no idea what to expect. Would we talk? Would the other photographers be nice? I think I was pretty quiet that first shoot. Trying to get the lay of the land, seeing how others reacted and worked together. It was amazing how this group just really ended up working together in the pit. Sharing places to get a nice shot, letting other know you were behind them, making jokes with each other before each act. But the coolest thing is how they welcomed new photographers with open arms.
From talking about the set we just shot, sharing photos from other events, sharing crazy stories of shoots and life it’s a real comraderie I would have never expected. When my camera messed up they were there offer advice and help. These guys and gals have been a great group of people to get to know and learn from. I am so grateful I did not let my fear and nerves get the best of me.
Photography has been the most rewarding thing that I have jumped into and just winged it. I have been able to knock some huge artist off my bucket list. This year, I was able to photograph Taylor Swift, one of my favorite artist. I have to pinch myself every time I am about to photograph a big musician. There are days when I want to kick myself for not going out and buying a camera sooner. But, I think things worked out pretty well even starting later with this hobby. Taking this leap, learning how to do it on my own with the help of friends, that has been so rewarding. I would say jumping in and winging it worked out in the most amazing way possible on this one.
There will definitely be more posts about my photography. It is one of those things I don’t think you can ever really master. There will always be a new way to learn and I look forward to that journey.
Winging Life 