Live Music Photography

I first purchased a 35mm camera, a German made Practika, back in 1987 when I was a green 20 year old, living in England.  Upon my return home to the US I had learned that my little brother was playing in a punk rock band.  This was surprising to me, since he'd never really played an instrument in 1985 when I left to go across the pond!  The band he played in had booked their first local show so of course I had to go and take photos of my brother's 15 minutes of fame.  As it turned out, that fame lasted a lot longer than 15 minutes and the moments I captured then were seeds planted.  My passion for photography and specifically, music photography grew from those moments.

Music has always been a major theme in my life.  I've always been a music appreciator and listen to many styles and genres.  Dick Clark once said that 'Every life has a soundtrack' and I believe that wholeheartedly.  Although my brother's band broke up many moons ago, music never left me as an inspiration to create and capture moments in photographs.  Many of my artistic shots are titled after songs, albums or specific lyrics that never left me and inspired many pieces.

Recently, I feel I have come full circle when I take photographs for current bands and venues.  People whom I had met in those early days are still promoting and still playing and it is great to be there with them, watching, listening and snapping.  What I have realized during this renaissance is that the photos I take now are better than before because I have grown.  I think they capture more energy because my eyes and ears are more seasoned now.  I know what to watch for and listen to...chord changes, leads, nods, rim shots.  Even the silences in between...the music simply directs me where to go.  Its great to experience moments like that as an artist because you feel a sense of soundness - one that does not come from outside yourself.  You know you are doing what you love and it loves you right back.

Punk rock has been very good to me as a visual artist but there are many genres of music that I love and enjoy.  Each show offers unique moments of connection in the spirit of communicating to an audience and also the unique communication between musicians.  I believe that live photos will only be as energetic and passionate as the band performing.  If I'm at a music event and the members heart's aren't really in it, the camera can't hide that.  Other bands are so energetic that you have to match the energy level to get great captures - which requires a good amount of stretching beforehand if you really want to dig your heels in!  That's where I have the most fun, when I can feed off that energy and deliver it back in photos.

Witnessing a live show has always been a sharing of energies.  For me, taking photographs at shows marries my passion for the art of photography and the love of music.  Mingle that with the passion of the musicians as they perform their craft for an anticipating audience.and that is an old recipe that yields nothing short of magic for this shutterbug.

Thank you for reading.

You can find my live music and other photography at www.gabriellepricephotography.com