Growing up, I was lucky to have the Chicago-based radio station, WXRT, introduce me to a world of music and help shape my musical tastes. But it wasn't until I attended my first concert at age 12 that I truly fell in love with music, especially live music.
The energy, the connection between the artist and audience, and the magic of live music captivated me, and I've been hooked ever since. Decades later, I started learning guitar. One of my instructors suggested I record myself playing at an open jam I'd started attending, so I picked up a small point-and-shoot with video. Other players started asking if I'd record them too, so I did, sharing the footage online for whoever wanted it.
One night I was packing up with the camera still in my hand when I walked past the side of the stage mid-jam. The lighting, the angles, the positions of the players... something caught my eye. I snapped a couple quick shots and kept walking.
A few days later I came across those photos and was blown away. One click, at the right place at the right time, changed everything.
Because I play guitar, I have a pretty good idea of what's coming. The glance a guitarist throws at the drummer before a breakdown. The way songs weave from one section to the next. The subtle cues musicians give each other that most people in the crowd never notice. I spent time on stage learning to read those moments. Now I use that same instinct behind the camera.
The best way to understand what I do is to see it. Browse the portfolio and experience it for yourself.