The 2009 Blog
So we are 10 days into 2010 and I’ve been meaning to write this blog for a week or so now but I’ve been to busy/lazy and snowed in to get round to actually finish writing it.
So a full year has passed and we are now in 2010 – The last year has flown by but it’s been a really good one. I have never taken as many photographs as I have in the last 12 months. I have got to so many amazing shows and had the chance to photograph and work with so many great people in the studio.
My year kick started pretty fast with my photography. Back in January, I got a call from Lisa (now my business partner) who runs a casting agency called NE8 Castings. She wanted me to shoot some of her actors and models for their online portfolios on her website. After the first shoot things had gone so well that we were already in talks with going into business together with our own photography studio (New Age Studios).
By March this year we had our own studio set up and running, the website took a little longer to get up and running and didn’t launch until September. The business has gone from strength to strength over the last year slowly building a name and a reputation as a photography company in Gateshead and Newcastle.
I have worked with many actors, models and Dancers over the last year in the studio, which has been a dream come true. I have also shot Lifestyle portraits for many family’s, shot 3 wedding, pets, a motorbike and many other bits and bobs. I have learnt so much and met so many great people. I am still working part time in my leisure center but the rest of the time I am pursuing my photography - a year ago I really didn't think I would be where I am now and I would'nt change it for the world.
As well as working hard on New Age Studios I am still attending and shooting so many gigs. I think I have shot at least 100+ artists this year at at least 40 shows.I have shot some big acts this last year including Lily Allen, Jamie T, Gallows, Dizzee Rascal, The View, Franz Ferdinand, Biffy Clyro, The Wombats, The Maccabees, Papa Roach, The Proclaimers, and Alphabeat plus many many more.
I realize how lucky I have been to get to and shoot all of the shows I have this year - I have been shooting live music for nearly 4 years now and I am finally starting to get to shoot some of my favorite artists. I Love music and photography and the too together is something I am very passionate about.
Attending so many shows of so many great bands I have my favorite of the year so I'm now goign to run down my top 5 shows of the year
5. Gallows - 9th May 2009 - 02 Academy Newcastle
First time shooting the Gallows - I had heard such great things about them live and having seen them in the past I knew it would be a high energy show but a big challenge with front man Frank Carter and the rest of the band having so much movement on stage. It was a challenge with poor lighting to any amazing shots on stage.
After shooting the first 3 songs I was hanging out with mate and fellow Photographer Ben Gibson at the bar when Frank Carter decides hes going to sing the next song from the bar. Me and Ben looked at each other and both reached for our cameras - a huge surge of people rushing towards the bar - camera in hand above head I got a few cracking shots of Frank doing his stuff on the bar. With no security about here was able to get some sneaky shots with flash. All in all a memorable show if not purely for the on bar fun from Frank Carter.
4. Jamie T - 16th June 2009 - Northumbria Students Union, Newcastle
Never seen Jamie T live before but I loved his first album so it was a show I was looking forward to. I don't get to many shows at Northumbria's Students Union but this was one of the best. Jamie is a really entertaining artist live with some great music. Since seeing this show I have not stopped listening to his new album.
I remember mid way through his set he left the stage and went up on to the balcony/seating area to try get all the people who were sitting down in the sold out Northubria SU down into the standing area - I followed him and got a few shots of him up there and then he sung a song up there. I was meant to be seeing Jamie T again in October but due to ill health he had to cancel the hole tour but its been rescheduled for later this month - I am looking forward to it even more then the first time!
3. Alkaline Trio - 9th February 2009 - 02 Academy Newcastle
Those of you that will know me well will know that I have always been a massive fan of Alkaline Trio - I think this was my 12th time of seeing them live. I have seen these guys play to massive sold out crowds and I've seen them play acoustically in a tiny venue. I've had the pleasure of meeting Matt at least 5-6 times now and Derek & Dan a few times now to. Anyways enough of me rambling on about how much I love these guys.
This was my first time shooting them and I was mega stoked about it. Last time they played in Newcastle Matt had lost his voice so Dan sang for most of the set but this time they were on top form. I was stoked to be shooting these guys but I was also equally as happy to just be seeing them play live. A gig where I can stand back and truely admire every song that they play. This was one of my first big gigs of 2009 and one of those bands I have always wanted to photograph so I know have them ticked rom my list of bands to shoot - But I would love to shoot them again and again.
2. A Wilhelm Scream - 3rd September 2009 - Trillians, Newcastle
I have been to some amazing shows at Trillians, one of the most memorable was sick of it all back in the summer of 2007. Trillians is a special venue and anyone that has been to a sold out show there will understand. Its a true venue, no barrier, no security - exactly how shows should be! A Wilhelm Scream is another of my favorite bands, I had photographed them once before in 2008 but at the academy. So I was super stoked about this show and I was not disappointed.
The atmosphere was something special most of the venue was full of people screaming there hearts out to A Wilhelm Screams fast Punk Rock. This made for some amazing shots. A lot of the show I was getting pushed around in the crowd but I was having that much fun I really didn't care. I had my camera high in the air shooting away but once I had my setting sorted shooting was a doddle.
1. Lily Allen - 16th November 2009 - 02 Academy Sheffield
By far my gig of the year was seeing Lily Allen live in concert. I am a huge fan of Lily, her music amongst other things. When I found out she was touring again I had tickets sorted instantly, weather I could shoot the show or not I was going to love it. Unfortunately the tour didn't hit Newcastle so I had to travel down to Sheffield but if I'm honest it was worth the two and a half hour drive each way to and from the gig.
Luckily I managed to arrange to shoot this show which I was super excited about. I have to say this is easily the biggest act I have photographed. When Lily first came on stage I was a bit star struck but I had to kick myself in gear to get my shots and then enjoy the show afterwords. She is a truly amazing performer and even though she was ill she sounded spot on live. My set of images from this show are pretty good but I still look back on the show and wish I had done better as the lighting was a dream to shoot with.
All in all I have to say its been a pretty good year. I have no idea what 2010 is going to bring but I really hope its brings along as many great opportunities if not more! I want to keep attending as many gigs as I have been this year and my aim is to shoot one or two larger festivals this year. Thats all for now I have a few other blogs coming up int eh next week or two so watch this space!
Dan
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