I'm with the band.

I grew up with a music loving father who was a part-time musician and band leader. He sang and was self taught on guitar and fiddle. He had a pretty good local following with his band and had gigs booked every weekend for a while. I remember playing around with amps and mic stands that took up all the space in our small garage. I remember watching my Mom get dolled up to go watch them play and wanting to go with so badly. On the rare occasions that I could go along with the band, I would run around and dance and then pass out before they were done playing. They were called, Jim Barton and The Sounds of Country. Folsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash was always my favorite cover. I was always in awe at how cool my Dad was up on stage and slightly terrified that he might ask me to come up and sing. Not that I'm uncomfortable being in the spotlight, but let's just say that I did not inherit the gift of music.

My first taste of live music was my Dad's band. He definitely lit the spark for my love of concerts but it wasn't until I was a young teenager that I went to my first legit rock concert and that's when that spark went off like a bomb inside me. It happened to be Lollapalooza in it's 2nd year of creation. Let's take a look at that line-up, shall we?

Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ministry, Ice Cube, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam. And on the side stage, Rage Against The Machine, Cypress Hill, Stone Temple Pilots, Ice-T -Body Count and Temple of the Dog.

I have crazy memories of that day and of many concerts that I've been to since. I've always wanted to have my camera with me to memorialize the fun but the memories will have to remain just that. Now that I'm a professional photographer, I've been very fortunate on a few occasions to combine my love for photography with my love for live music. A total dream for me.

This summer I found myself back at Lollapalooza on it's 25th anniversary with the Red Hot Chili Peppers back in the lineup. But this time, I was there as a music fan and a photographer. I shot for the band Saint Motel and it was a fantastic experience. They put on an awesome show and the music and vibe was undeniably fun. My body said DANCE! but my brain said hold still and get the shot. It's an unusual feeling shooting a band vs. watching a band. While watching a band play, I'm jumping and dancing and releasing all that adrenaline. While shooting, I'm internalizing all of that energy and focusing in very directly to what the band and crown is feeling. I'm watching facial expressions and emotions and waiting and anticipating what someone might do next. Both scenarios (watching or shooting) are tremendously gratifying though.

I love being around other creative and passionate artists. The energy is contagious and inspiring. Being so close to the amps makes you feel like your chest is going to implode from the bass. The space between the band and the crowd with theirs arms raised and outstretched is a fascinating and electrifying place to be. There is a push and pull of frenzied energy between the band, the crowd, the security and other photographers.

I look forward to many more concerts with or without my camera. The feeling will never get old and because of that, neither will I.