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In my 8th year of photography, I found myself at a crossroads. Wedding photography had taken over much of my time. While I enjoyed photographing weddings, I had very little time for concerts. As a result, I decided to pull the plug on wedding photography. To avoid getting new inquiries, I deleted my website and blog. I updated my concert portfolio, and the wedding photos on my Flickr were condensed into a single album.
My inspiration for what would come next, originated back in 2009-2010. A few years into my career, I met another photographer through Brightest Young Things. Greg Szeto was also from Baltimore and shared my love for local bands. Being a music enthusiast in addition to a photographer, he decided to start a music blog and he asked me to help with photography. His blog was Aural States, and it was the only music blog in Baltimore at the time. Since Greg was an amazing writer with an abundance of musical knowledge, his blog took off immediately. Within a year, he produced Aural States Fest, a music event featuring local talent. (Read an interview with Greg on the City Paper, here)
Enjoy some photos from Aural States Fest 2009 and 2010 featuring some amazing local talent in Baltimore! Swipe to the left to enjoy all the photos!
In the summer of 2017, I started a music Instagram and Facebook under the name, These Subtle Sounds. I wanted to create a social media presence that any other local photographer or music enthusiasts could also contribute to. Since there is an abundance of music in the area, the idea was to bring a music blog back to Baltimore. When I shared my vision with a few local photographers, they loved the idea and gave me the encouragement I needed to get things started.
However, first I wanted take some time to do what I truly love – photograph shows. In 2017, On Tap Magazine welcomed my services, and I have been able to photograph over 60 concerts and events for them. I truly love working with their talented team and fellow contributors. Then, in the Spring of 2018, my good friend, Paivi, (also a photographer and huge Cure fan like myself) introduced me to Mickey at Parklife DC. He had started a music blog covering shows in the D.C. area. I have enjoyed contributing to his blog and have met some wonderfully talented photographers in the process. Finally, through Hot August Music Festival and Charm City Bluegrass Festival, I have met the amazingly supportive staff of DC Music Review. Their music blog can cover a festival like no other!
The last year of my decade in concert photography has probably been one of the best. I met some amazing photographers who are genuinely good people. My goal to attend 100 shows fell a little short, but I was close – 86 to be exact! I pushed myself outside of my comfort zone by photographing shows I typically wouldn’t attend; and I supported and helped others willingly whenever I could. Because, at the end of the day, it is our love for music that drives us to do what we do.
Summarizing 10 years of your life can be a challenging task. However, it has been really fun to reflect on all that I have accomplished. I hope you enjoyed the story as well as the photographs! I will leave you with a gallery of my favorite photos from 2018. (Interestingly enough, The Joy Formidable, Fleet Foxes, and Thrushes are in this gallery. All three of these bands were among my first to photograph.) Links to all of the wonderful blogs and publications that I have contributed to and continue to support, can be found on the side bar! They are definitely worth checking out!
