Concerts were the very first thing I shot professionally, which surprised me because when I started, I had no goals of being a concert photographer (I know, right?). My old band played a show in Oshawa, so I decided to take some photos of the other bands playing. They turned out horrible, but it kinda gave me a taste for this specific field. A few weeks later, I went out to see my friend's band, Wrong Jeremy, where I offered to take some live photos- they turned out fantastic! From there, I was hired to shoot my first show, and it just kind of snowballed until I was making more money shooting shows than working my old job at the movie theater! Looking back at the 46 shows, 156 bands that I shot last year, I want to share my favourite shows and moments.
Wrong Jeremy- facebook.com/wrongjeremy.toronto
It's likely safe to say that without Wrong Jeremy, my career in concert photography may not have grown as quickly as it did. I owe a lot to my friend Sarah, the drummer. We shot a music video for their debut single, "Untitled Love Song," and at least 10 of the concerts I've shot have been with them.
The first show I shot of Wrong Jeremy at the Rockpile
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I feel like I've low key got to see them grow as a band. They've gone through line up changes, side bands, and still the powerful group stands strong. I've been out to several of their shows- as many as I can make the drive to Toronto for, and every single I'm blown away with how tight they are. I'm happy to say that I've become friends with all of them, and I'm excited to see what the future holds for them!
Check out the video we did together below! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmbb0jhEV2o |
Sarah rocking in at the Bout Finals
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Late Night Sanity- facebook.com/LateNightSanity
This show was particularly special for two reasons- 1: it was the first time I was hired by the promoter to shoot the entire show, and 2: I ended up getting two new long term clients and friends from it. The way I got the show was cool. I ended up making friends with the guys in a band called Sly Gargantuan who ended up messaging me one night asking if I wanted to shoot this show. I got in contact with the promoter (also the guitarist for LNS), we talked a little, and I was hired. After this show, I ended up doing several projects with 1+1=, as well as some future projects with Late Night Sanity & Sly Gargantuan
Then Black Creek Radio, now 1+1= keyboardist Donna
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Gorepanda, a sick prog-rock band I wish I got to work with again :(
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My boy Dwight from Sly G.
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The Bout Finals
Honestly, I'm a little salty about this show, but it pulled the best photos. I tried to get hired for this show, but they said they already hired their people (which is fair). Once the people in charge saw my photos, one person said "wow, I wish we would have hired you." So this year, I better get in! Anyway. I went to see Wrong Jeremy again, because this was a huge deal for them. They had the potential to win tons of money and recording time. They didn't win, sadly, but they still absolutely killed it! I took photos of the other bands playing in hopes to attract them as new clients, but no such luck.
Jamie Grey
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The Alpines
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Drop Top Alibi
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My boy Preston getting ready before Wrong Jeremy gets on stage
Service Delay- facebook.com/servicedelay416
No disrespect to any other band I've shot, but no one quite puts on a show like Service Delay I met them by freak chance shooting a Wrong Jeremy show. I was getting ready to leave after WJ played, when Sarah forced me over to meet some of the other bands- one being Service Delay. I ended up hanging out with them for the remainder of the night, and man am I ever happy about that. I went to a couple shows, including their last one with formal vocalist Evan Simms, where I got to go up on stage and scream with them. These guys absolutely kill it with their raw prog-metal/punk sound and killer stage presence. They better be taking me with them when they blow up...
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