Photographing Concerts
This November a rather exciting opportunity presented itself, a long lasting teenage dream came to fruition when I was finally given the chance to photograph one of my favorite Rap groups from Strange Music family.. ¡Mayday!, an awesome group comprised of three artists Wrekonize, Bernz and Nonmus are originally from Miami Florida but tour the globe performing a sweet mix of rap, soul, funk, and reggae music, it is hard to put nail them down to any one genre. I have been following their music since they signed to my favorite label back in 2011 rarely missing a tour on the east coast. About a week or so before their show at Sonia In Boston Ma I asked them to let me photograph the show directly through their Instagram, I’ve tried this before with a few other artists with no success which I attribute partially to not being a concert photographer per say, I am first and foremost a portrait photographer who likes to branch out into many of the avenues this industry offers, however to my surprise after two years of trying to get a press pass to a show Bernz got me on the list, and just like that I was off to photograph my first live show. The lack of experience made me a bit nervous but after shooting in a live hunted house under the hardest lighting conditions I felt as though i was capable. An early show, my partner in crime and I made it into Boston just after the first opening act, which was absolutely ideal as I was able to get my light settings down before the main event. Photographing people who you look up is an incredible experience you see them every angle, you don’t view the show the same way you typically do. For me it was the best way to see a show as I think most of the world is more exciting from behind the lens of my camera, the only drawback was not being able to dance as much as I took full advantage of the opportunity and shot almost the entire length of the show. It was an incredible night as well as an awesome learning experience and I can’t wait to do it again (hopefully with a wide angle lens!) as mixing two of my favorite things in the world, Photography and music is an excellent way to spend an evening.
Thank you to the members of ¡Mayday!, Potluck (1Ton), and illzakiel for putting on a great show and letting me shoot the whole thing
Check out their music on youtube and strangemusic.com
