Make the Best of What's Around

2012-02-08T18:53:00.001-05:00

Cody Simpson/Gramercy Theatre/New York, NY/2.4.12

The Walkmen and Fleet Foxes Played a Solid Show; I Grew Some Balls and Learned a Valuable Lesson

2012-01-24T15:57:00.010-05:00

This shot is a single frame of a time-lapse that I did during the Fleet Foxes/Walkmen show at the Williamsburg Waterfront. Since I'm not a rigger, mounting my camera had to be done, sadly, by one of the union guys. Not only that, but because of video screens, I couldn't shoot the time-lapse from the center of the stage. So, upstage left corner it was. Of course, I would not have cut off the downstage edge with the wide-angle lens, but hey, union rules are union rules, right??

Wrong.

Ten hours later, frustrated my by inaccessibility to my camera and after having seen how brilliantly the sun was setting behind Manhattan from the front gate of the venue, I ran backstage, grabbed the rigger and told him I needed to get up on the scaffolding.

All union technicalities aside, I climbed up the back of the stage to make sure the camera was exposing properly... and stayed there until night settled in and Fleet Foxes took the stage - which was the better part of an hour. I did it partially to adjust exposure/make sure the camera didn't stop shooting annnd partially to watch a show from an unusual vantage point.

I must say, hanging off stage scaffolding is a pretty sweet way to watch a show! Unfortunately, it was too late for me to alter the framing, but whatever. It's not like the thought of how I could have framed it didn't plague me for the next two months...

So photo kids, the moral of the story is... always climb the stage scaffolding, even if people are yelling at you, if want to like your frame without a panoramic crop.

The Walkmen/Williamsburg Waterfront/Brooklyn, NY/9.24.11

P.S. - If you look to the bottom, righthand corner you can see Hamilton Leithauser, the Walkmen's frontman.

2012-01-12T15:04:00.002-05:00

High and wide shot of the arena. Final MSG remodel photo until next summer/fall!

2012-01-10T14:05:00.002-05:00

Things happen in here...

The almost newly renovated Rangers' locker room taken last fall...

2012-01-09T13:39:00.001-05:00

Madison Square Garden wrapping up its first summer of renovation. Photo taken about a month prior to its reopening last fall.

A few more photos to come.

2012-01-07T14:14:00.002-05:00

Pickin' it back up, kids... it's about that time...

Photo taken sometime last fall from the roof of a shopping complex in Queens with a delightful view of the Manhattan skyline. Trip to the parking deck courtesy of John McClellan.

2011-11-17T03:47:00.003-05:00

Ironically, I have just had the most delightful time photographing my mom's back-porch flowers this year. When you are constantly on the move, you often forget that there is some truth to that whole, "stop and smell the roses" thing. Unlike my usual Novembers, I've made it a point to do just that - stop and enjoy this city.

10.2011

2011-11-16T14:25:00.006-05:00

What Pennsylvanian's fall is complete without a trip to an apple orchard? The fam and I took a trip out to Soergel Orchards in Wexford on a glorious fall day to soak in a few hours of delightful seasonal festivity. Pumpkin treats, kettle corn and apple cider. Deeeelish.

I didn't take many photos at the orchard, but this is my current desktop shot.

2011-11-14T02:00:00.003-05:00

The drive back from Falling Water in Mill Run, PA may have been one of my favorite parts of my Pennsylvanian fall day with my mom. We happened to hit the Summit Inn Resort* in Farmington, just as the sun was setting over the rolling hills.

Perfect... except for the fact that due to construction, we couldn't figure out where to turn off to get to the resort - thus, sending us down to the base of Summit Mountain. Fortunately, by the time we drove back to the top, this was the scene that awaited us.

With the levels of light so even, the warm colors of the sky over the cool tones of the hills looked like strokes of a painter's brush. A moment where truly, the camera falls inferior to the sensory detail of the human eye.

In the years I've been shooting, I've never printed or framed a photo for my personal use, but this one I just might.

*Fantastic place, a ton of history, must go back.

10.7.11

2011-11-12T16:57:00.001-05:00

A fond farewell to JoePa on the first day in 61 years he has not been a coach on the field at Beaver Stadium for the Nittany Lions.

I've watched him on TV, I've watched him in the stands, I've watched him on the sidelines and despite my heartbreak on many levels of this story, I am positive that the university made the only decision they could have in regard to Paterno.

This isn't how it was supposed to be, but this is how it has to be. Best of luck to Mr. Tom Bradley and the team throughout the rest of the season.

For the future that we wait,

Raise the song, raise the song.

Joe Paterno/Post-game press conference - Penn State vs. Northwestern/9.30.06

2011-11-08T05:10:00.003-05:00

Architects may come and

Architects may go and

Never change your point of view.

When I run dry,

I stop awhile and think of you.

So long, Frank Lloyd Wright.

All of the nights we'd harmonize 'til dawn,

I never laughed so long.

So long.

So long, already!!

("So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright"/Simon and Garfunkel/Bridge Over Troubled Water)

Falling Water/Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright/Mill Run, PA/10.7.11

P.S. - For those unaware, the Guggenheim is, coincidentally, another Wright design.

2011-11-07T00:19:00.005-05:00

A trip to the Guggenheim is always quite refreshing, particularly if you've found yourself on the iconic museum's roof with one of your closest photographer friends and MGMT. Hopefully, when the band's management clears some of the photos for personal use, I will be able to post some from the actual shoot!

9.29.11

2011-11-03T01:27:00.001-04:00

Jack White's ex-wife has a band. Who knew?

2011-11-01T02:59:00.002-04:00

My curls have almost set, so I think it's about time we get this show back on the road!

Photo by Roger Kisby

2011-10-05T22:10:00.009-04:00

While I am no tech nerd, I find myself extremely saddened by the passing of Steve Jobs. Obsessed by the power of technology, I am not, but obsessed with the character and innovation of a great man - that's a fruit of a different design.

Someone once told me that life was not a book and thus, should not be lived as such. It seems to me that Mr. Jobs not only created his own narrative reality, but falsified the aforementioned notion by changing the world and shifting mass perspective in the process. Albeit its brevity, it's one of the most powerful and timelessly human outlines in existence.

Throughout history, many men have had similar tales to that of Mr. Jobs. I admire them all as I admire Mr. Jobs. I admire them because these are the people crazy enough, daring enough, intelligent enough to make waves in a pretty cynical world. Not only do these people rely on intuition and deep curiosity to craft their own story, but in doing so, they inspire others to drop the herd mentality and go fucking crazy. Crazy to do something, maybe not great, but new.

And new inspires. And new may eventually be great. And great may eventually change the world. And that always inspires new.

Not everyone can be great and even fewer can be Steve Jobs, but everyone can try new.

The ironic part of this blog entry is that the fellow who told me that my life was not a book is the same fellow who turned me into a believer in the genius of Steve Jobs and his products. An unfortunate disconnect in philosophy and practice, I suppose, but his love of technology eventually made me more efficient and for that I must tip my hat.

I posted this quote from Jobs' Stanford Commencement speech in 2005 back in August, but its truth is as relevant as always.

"Remembering I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything - all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure just falls away in the face of death, leaving only the truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking that you have something to lose. You're already naked. There's no reason not to follow your heart." - Steve Jobs (1955-2011)

So Mr. Jobs, there is no better way to end this note than to say:

I will stay hungry and I will stay foolish.

2011-09-25T03:14:00.004-04:00

This photo actually doesn't look real. Yes, Photoshopping happened, but truthfully not that much. I'll tell ya, the Williamsburg Waterfront's view of the sun rising and setting are unbeatable in the urban category. Working a show whilst the sun sets behind the city? One of my favorite seasonal gigs.

This photo was shot from our stage, pre-Widespread Panic load-in, pretty much in the same place as the below, but with a longer focal length.

8:00 a.m. at the Williamsburg Waterfront/Brooklyn, NY/9.17.11

2011-09-24T11:34:00.002-04:00

Center stage at 8:00 a.m, just prior to the start of load-in for Widespread Panic.

Williamsburg Waterfront/Brooklyn, NY/9.17.11

2011-09-23T00:36:00.002-04:00

The sun setting prior to the start of the Andrea Bocelli concert in Central Park on 9.15.11.

Sadly, I didn't have a wide enough lens on me to do this sky justice.

2011-09-21T00:02:00.005-04:00

Sometimes Serbian tennis champions propose marriage to you atop iconic skyscrapers... annnd sometimes you just take their photograph.

Sorry, Dad, this time it was the latter.

Call me crazy, but I will say, however, that these photos mark the first time I went to a press event for fun and not for work.

Thanks, Matt McCullough!

Empire State Building/9.13.11

2011-09-20T01:14:00.002-04:00

Fashion Week is one of the most bizarre weeks on the planet. Months and months of planning and meticulous preparation involving hundreds of people for a four-minute fashion show.

All of us that take part are crazy.

This show, however, was awesome because I was reunited with one of my favorite Madison Square Garden buddies, Ms. Jessy Qussar, who now works in marketing for Vita Coco Coconut Water. I pretty much took the job so I could hang out with my long-lost friend and support her company's delicious product, of course!

Backstage at the Ohne Titel show at Milk Studios.

9.12.11

2011-09-19T15:26:00.003-04:00

Annnd back to work and to New York for Fashion's Night Out, the Christmas Eve of September's Fashion Week.

Stuart Weitzman's boutique/9.8.11

2011-09-18T18:36:00.001-04:00

Energy, neither created, nor destroyed.

2011 has brought a lot of reflection on life and on death. The more people who pass, the less I find myself comforted by the practices of religion. Not that I've ever been devoted to any particular faith, but it seems counterintuitive, doesn't it? The more I think about death, the more I rely on science, as I'm infinitely more at ease with the idea that our energies breakdown and shift to create other forms of life. That energy has to come somewhere, doesn't it?

When someone dies, where does their light go? You know, the light - the thing that makes their eyes bright and their smile warm. The thing that is delicately detectable when that person walks into a room. Where does that go? And for that matter, what sort of chemistry makes that reaction to a single soul possible?

When you see that person void of their light, void of their motion, lying still in a serenely pretty box, the word "gone" takes on a whole new perspective. I have never been more sure in my life that the body has very little to do with the soul. A wonderful union, yes, but very separate.

2011-09-17T00:35:00.002-04:00

Final frame.

9.6.11

2011-09-16T20:40:00.002-04:00

9.5.11

2011-09-15T00:21:00.004-04:00

This was the first year that I'd ever been out to New York's annual electronic music festival on Randall's Island known to electronic music fans everywhere as the Electric Zoo. I don't know if I was in a terrible mood, or simply just didn't have the patience for a crowd, but it definitely wasn't my cup of tea. However, it was great for people-watching. Definitely can recommend the people-watching.

9.4.11

2011-09-14T15:03:00.003-04:00

Following our day at the U.S. Open, Mr. Merritt and I took a stroll to Flushing Meadows Corona Park's World's Fair Marina. I begin to frame the above shot when the below shot happened!

9.1.11

2011-09-13T17:40:00.002-04:00

I've been really into my 85mm lens lately, but sometimes it just doesn't do the trick. I knew it was the wrong lens for the U.S. Open, but I wasn't really sure what the camera policy was, so I figured, if anything, they'd allow that into the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. As it was my first time at the Open, the wrong lens was definitely better than no lens.

Thanks again to John Merritt for taking me to my first U.S. Open!

Top: Updating the tournament board

Middle: City behind Arthur Ashe Stadium

Bottom: Roger Federer being interviewed after defeating an early opponent.

9.1.11

2011-09-12T16:14:00.002-04:00

Lower Manhattan from Brooklyn Bridge Park.

8.28.11

2011-09-12T00:24:00.000-04:00

Manhattan Bridge from the Brooklyn Bridge.

8.28.11

2011-09-11T16:39:00.002-04:00

Post-hurricane sunset in the West Village on Sunday evening.

8.28.11

2011-09-10T12:06:00.002-04:00

Mom: So if you were in Battery Park in the evening, you didn't evacuate?

Me: No, I did. I brought my stuff uptown around 10 a.m.

Mom: So... you went back downtown?

Dad: Clearly she doesn't understand what it means to be evacuated.

Walking from 76th and 2nd to Union Square, Megan and I decided to cab it from 14th to Battery Park in interest of time. Again, for as long as we waited, things were pretty calm, much to the dismay of our journalistic intent.

8.27.11

2011-09-09T14:54:00.000-04:00

Penn Station, pre-Irene. All subway, LIRR and Amtrak trains canceled or suspended.

8.27.11

2011-09-08T00:20:00.001-04:00

Times Square, pre-Irene.

Lines at all the drugstores, people using sandbags as benches and of course, closed subway stations.

8.27.11

2011-09-07T18:09:00.001-04:00

Bryant Park, pre-Irene.

8.27.11

2011-09-07T00:49:00.002-04:00

Manhattan evacuations and free subway entry due to hurricane was something I never expected to see. Ever. Granted, the free rides only applied to stations in evacuation zones (my neighborhood included), but still! $2.25 goes a long way, man. Thanks, Irene/Bloomberg for allowing me to see almost a 48-hour period in New York without a functioning subway system.

8.27.11

2011-09-07T00:48:00.002-04:00

Bloomingdale's? Boarded up? You'd think there was going to be a hurricane in Manhattan or something...

8.27.11

2011-09-02T02:26:00.000-04:00

For the first time, my anxiety about not having a camera in-hand, from start to finish, did not get the better of me. For the first time, I was able to hand over my camera and, cautiously at first, completely participate in my surroundings. One small step, as they say.

Photographers, if you will, are professional observers. Because you are oft an outsider, your experience is secondary. While Hondros would argue the contrary and this may seem like a bad thing, for the craft, it's quite a valuable skill. Not only do you have control of your specific action, but of the documentation of a multitude of actions with no direct influence on the situation, other than angle and light.

In that respect, journalism goes from basic reportage to art form, in that you, of course, are creating a true-to-life situation purely from your perspective as an observer. Key word being: create. The difference between taking a photo and making a photo.

The tricky thing, however, is knowing when to give that up... to put down the camera and to just be where you are. While racing this sailboat, it happened. I was nervous about it, but it happened.

I watched boats sail in and out of my frame of sight, painted with the rich tones of a setting sun. Truly a photographer's dream leisure scenario. I would take my eye off the spinnaker for a second to glance at the frames I was missing... at one point, handing Achille the camera to try and direct him to shoot what I was seeing (Thanks, Achille!). Still, it wasn't the same.

By the time the wind had changed enough to release me from my duties, it was nearly dark. This was the first, last and only frame I took during that race.

And I like it.

2011-08-31T13:52:00.003-04:00

This is one of those events in my life that I wished I had posted sooner. Just the circumstances surrounding ending up in a sailboat race in Detroit (the new Miami, or so I hear...) with such an eclectic little 4-person crew aboard a little crescent sailboat, was enough to warrant skipping everything else to get here. The skipper's quotes alone, were enough to make this one of the greatest events of the summer. I'm going to need Achille's help in remembering half of what Steven said, but I will tell you this... that the first two things I really remember him saying were:

1. "You know, I've sunk three of these things."

and

2. "One of my favorite commands, 'Take off your shoes! Abandon ship!'"

Yes, I do believe this was worth leaving work early, the day before a show. And this is coming from someone who is usually last out of the stadium...

Lake St. Clair/Detroit, MI/8.19.11

2011-08-31T13:48:00.003-04:00

Sometimes you've gotta leave work early to go race a sailboat.

A sailboat fully equipped with PBR and whiskey.

Lake St. Clair/Detroit, MI/8.19.11

2011-08-31T13:37:00.002-04:00

Photo by Achille Bianchi, shot from our sailboat, whilst I was sailing.

Lake St. Clair/Detroit, MI/8.19.11

2011-08-30T19:50:00.002-04:00

Jori, a friend and part of the local Detroit staff, has a lot of pretty cool tattoos, but I took a specific liking to this one on her forearm.

2011-08-30T13:11:00.001-04:00

After building and tearing down in both outlandish temperatures and torrential rainstorms, the guys were pretty excited to work in the covered, air-conditioned oasis of Ford Field.

Chesney load-in/Ford Field/Detroit, MI/8.17.11

2011-08-30T00:51:00.002-04:00

From Philly, I headed to my home-away-from-home stadium, New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, to pick back up with the Chesney crew. My role at NMS was a little different, because I was hired directly by the stadium instead of the event producer I had been working with prior. Honest to goodness, I think I picked my camera up twice throughout the whole thing... and that really was just to move it from table to table. Too much going on during the build and the show to even think about photographing. A bummer, I know.

So? On to the following week. Continuing on with Chesney, I found myself back in Detroit, Michigan. I was incredibly excited to roam the streets, as I find that city to be both fascinating and shockingly photogenic. Not surprisingly, I didn't end up having as much free time as I had hoped, but I was able to snap a few photos here and there.

Detroit, MI/8.17.11

2011-08-26T13:13:00.001-04:00

Breaking down Taylor Swift's stage at Lincoln Financial Field in Philly on 7.7.11.

A few words and an apt photo, before I continue the end of tour posts...

2011-08-25T12:53:00.009-04:00

‎"Remembering I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure just falls away in the face of death, leaving only the truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You're already naked. There's no reason not to follow your heart." - Steve Jobs, 2005

I don't know whose photo this is, but I do know that I've been keeping it in a little folder on my desktop for some time. When a friend posted the above Steve Jobs quote on Facebook, I thought the two would make an excellent pair and a nice time-out thought to what has been a very hectic summer.

Hope you kids enjoy...

2011-08-23T10:59:00.002-04:00

I love this photo so much that I'm not even going to post any of the other ones.

This shot was taken by the 2nd stage at the back of the floor and really, it happened to be a right place, right time, no other choice moment. As it goes with most photos, the photo behind the photo might be the best part of the photo.

I was weaving back through the floor seats to my office when I was stopped, along with many other kids, by a line of security guards with ropes in front of a small stage with a big white tree. Now, I knew that this would happen at some point in the show, but being that it was my first Taylor show, I didn't know exactly when.

Before I knew what to do, I was flooded with tweens. So many tweens that escape was improbable, if not impossible. About five minutes later, Taylor comes running along the rope path from the main stage. The sound around me was indescribable - some of the pitches so shrill that I imagine only a dog could hear them.

I took about 50 shots (photos, people, photos) throughout the first song and in fear of crushing a multitude of little girl dreams, all 5'7 of me stepped out of the way to watch my spot fill in and disappear like a hole in the sand on the tide line of a beach.

It was as if I had never even been standing there.

Taylor played a few more songs as I headed house right to duck under the far corner of the rope path to make my way back toward the tunnel to my office. As I walked, I flipped through the first ten frames and didn't need to flip any further. I saw the above photo and forgot about the rest of the frames.

Taylor Swift/Lincoln Financial Field/Philadelphia, PA/8.6.11

2011-08-22T11:28:00.002-04:00

Philly's selection of die-hard Taylor Swift fans.

Lincoln Financial Field/Philadelphia, PA/8.6.11

2011-08-22T11:26:00.002-04:00

Obviously my favorite team of Swift fans...

Lincoln Financial Field/Philadelphia, PA/8.6.11

2011-08-22T11:21:00.003-04:00

These girls were lined up outside the gates of Lincoln Financial starting at about 8:00 a.m.

Lincoln Financial Field/Philadelphia, PA/8.6.11

2011-08-20T16:37:00.005-04:00

This is the assistant equipment manager for the Philadelphia Eagles mocking me for how cold I was in our office at Lincoln Financial Field when we were in Philly for the Taylor Swift build.

I'm fairly confident he pulled about three years worth of Eagles swag to make this work.

I mean, it was about 95 degrees outside and I was wearing a zip-hoodie and a ski shell inside. I deserved it. This was his joke. It was funny. Good one, Ed. Good one. I'm sure my friends and relatives appreciate and relate to this one.

Ed Miller/Officials' Locker Room/Lincoln Financial Field/Philadelphia, PA/8.4.11

2011-08-18T17:30:00.002-04:00

Kansas City, MO/7.31.11

2011-08-18T13:57:00.002-04:00

This sign has remained atop the Western Auto building since 1952, one of the oldest and largest neon signs still in use. The sign contains 1,000 feet of neon and over 2,500 light bulbs.

The building now houses condominiums.

Kansas City, MO/7.31.11

2011-08-17T14:44:00.002-04:00

I love trains. And train stations. I didn't have much time to explore Kansas City's Union Station, but I'm glad I made it over to take a few shots.

Built in 1914, Union Station, like a lot of other grandiose architecture of the time, was part of the City Beautiful movement which sought to use beautification in landscape to inspire moral and civic virtue among urban populations. Other products of this movement most notably include Philadelphia's City Hall and Museum of Art, Manhattan's Municipal Building and Pittsburgh's Schenley Farms.

On Jun 17, 1933, Union Station was the site of the "Kansas City Massacre" in which three law enforcement officers, one FBI agent and one fugitive were killed during a shootout in the railroad depot. The shootout occurred as an attempt by gang leader Vernon Miller to free Frank Nash (presumably one of the most successful bank robbers in U.S. history) from federal custody. Nash was being transported by the FBI from his place of arrest in Hot Springs, Arkansas to the U.S. Penitentiary in Leavenworth by way of an 8:30 p.m. Missouri Pacific train, set to arrive in Kansas City the following morning.

When the train arrived at Union Station, seven officers transported him to a Chevrolet at the East Entrance of the station. From there, they were approached by two men armed with machine guns. Three Kansas City police officers and one FBI agent, along with Mr. Nash were killed.

Prior to this incident, FBI agents did not have the authority to carry firearms or make arrests. Following the massacre, the FBI purchased their first Thompson submachine guns and Congress granted them statutory authority to make arrests.

All information courtesy of http://www.kcpolicememorial.com/history/unionstation/

Union Station/Kansas City, MO/7.31.11

2011-08-17T13:05:00.002-04:00

Despite being pretty sleepy after a week of a build in 110-degree weather, Deano and I set out to explore Kansas City once the load-out was complete. Our stops included the Uptown Theater (built in 1928), Union Station (above post) and, much to our surprise, a street-boxing match.

What can I say, when it's hard to keep track of what day it is, making each city memorable is important.

Kansas City, MO/7.31.11

2011-08-17T09:31:00.001-04:00

Breaking down and loading out.

Kenny Chesney stage/Arrowhead Stadium/Kansas City, MO/7.30.11

2011-08-16T14:09:00.002-04:00

One of the best parts about touring around with bands is that you are bound to run into some of your friends whom you've not seen in a long time. This show and promises of BBQ brought my favorite doctor in St. Louis to Kansas City. Driving out on Friday night, Dr. Jeff Stambough accompanied me through one of the most hilarious nights on the road... probably to date. Ah, that story is for another time, but it meant a lot that a friend would drive a few hours to come be a part of my gig... so thanks, Jeff!

Kenny Chesney/Arrowhead Stadium/Kansas City, MO/7.30.11

2011-08-16T14:06:00.000-04:00

Arrowhead Stadium/Kansas City, MO/7.30.11

2011-08-16T10:11:00.003-04:00

Ya know, I really thought I was going to catch up with real time over the past two weeks, but we're still in Kansas City on this blog.

Coaches' box? Not a bad office, I must say.

2011-08-10T12:57:00.004-04:00

Overnight build. Work call starts at 6PM instead of 8AM. Much, much cooler.

Kenny Chesney stage build/Arrowhead Stadium/Kansas City, MO/7.26.11

2011-08-09T20:57:00.003-04:00

This old-fashioned, enclosed stadium basically acts like an oven. When it's 110 degrees outside, I'm sure you can imagine how hot the middle of that field gets.

Build a stage in that kind of heat? Heck no. Time for a week of overnights!

Arrowhead Stadium/Kansas City, MO/7.25.11

2011-08-06T19:00:00.002-04:00

So the first day in the stadium, I walked up to the 8th level during dinner to watch the sunset and give Bilec a call. Much to my surprise, Brad Frye answered the phone! I was just pacing back and forth, chatting away until I went to put my hand on the railing...

I stopped in my tracks and said something to the effect of:

"Brad. I gotta go. There's a praying mantis right in front of me. A praying mantis! He looks so peaceful! I've never seen a praying mantis! Can I call you back??"

I hung up and ran down to my office to get my camera. I mean where the heck did this guy come from??

Praying mantis/Arrowhead Stadium/Kansas City, MO/7.25.11

2011-08-06T11:46:00.002-04:00

Next stop, Kansas City, Missouri. Flew out of NYC on the morning of the 24th.

I don't even remember what happened on the 23rd. I think I did laundry and I know I only saw one of my two roommates...

When I arrived, one of the local production staff members, Deano, picked me up and dropped me off at the hotel. Since the build wasn't starting until the overnight on Monday, we had time to kill and I wanted to see what Kansas City had to offer.

Of all things, we ended up eating Cajun food that evening. Based on the amount of BBQ I would end up consuming later in the week, it was ok to abstain from it for the first night.

Photo: The restaurant's original copper from the 1920s. The cards still remain on the ceiling from a magician's visit some years back.

2011-08-05T10:59:00.002-04:00

Summer at the Williamsburg Waterfront. I've not worked on this site much this year, as I've been out of New York for most of the summer - most of this year, actually - but it's still one of my favorite places to watch a show.

Death from Above 1979 scene/Brooklyn, NY/7.22.11

2011-08-05T10:56:00.002-04:00

Taking photos of people taking photos. First shot of the Williamsburg Waterfront this year, Mr. Mike Martin of the Waterfront production staff on July 22nd, 2011.

2011-08-04T19:25:00.002-04:00

Off to the races! Harness racing, that is.

While my exacta box of "Patient and True" and "I Love My Yankee" had a pretty solid pay-out, just ask my family how I screwed up the following race's bets at the betting machine.

Way to bet all the right horses in the wrong race. The difference of one button. Nice, Alli.

I kicked my program all the way home.

Meadows Racetrack/Washington, PA/7.20.11

2011-08-03T11:43:00.001-04:00

I know I hate on excessive flower photos, but my mom's flowers this year have been gorgeous. I couldn't help it!

2011-08-03T11:41:00.001-04:00

Mom's lavender in the back yard in Pittsburgh.

2011-08-02T01:44:00.005-04:00

Out of all the pro athletes and serious golfers that were in attendance, would you believe that Mark Recchi's 10-year-old son was consistently the best one on the green?

He instantly sunk the qualifying 25-foot putt, came five inches from the 30-foot putt to be the only one to win the chance to putt for $10,000 and only missed that 50-footer by just a little bit. I mean, let's be fair, people... he is Mark Recchi's son. That whole ball-in-hole/puck-in-net thing's gotta be hereditary.

Photo: A Nevillewood golf pro advises Cameron Recchi on putting the 50-footer as dad, former Penguin Mark Recchi, watches during the Lupus Challenge at Nevillewood in Pittsburgh, PA on 7.18.11.

2011-08-01T18:50:00.002-04:00

You know the pierogi wind-up racers I was so upset about in the Pirate game post below? Well, we ended up finding some sets! Of course, this made me very, very happy.

So happy that I even took them to the Lupus Challenge at Nevillewood... to get a new home... in Melissa's purse!

When we started to race them on our table, one of the guys yelled over, "What are you guys racing? Pierogies?"

He laughed to himself at his clever Pittsburgh joke, until we answered, "Yes! We are racing pierogies!" To which he started to laugh again, though I imagine for another reason.

But anyway, M and I were running the "Putt for Cash" booth on the putting green and wanted to start having the golfers bet on the pierogi races. We thought it would be a great way to raise more money for lupus! Next year, next year.

Photo: Sauerkraut Saul and Oliver Onion out for a day of golf at Nevillewood/Pittsburgh, PA/7.18.11

2011-07-28T22:39:00.003-04:00

And people wonder why Pennsylvania roads are so terrible... nice arts and crafts, PennDOT!

I think it's pretty cool, but imagine what they could do if they actually decided to work on our roads?!

To make this even better, I took these photos right after we stopped at Dairy Queen and I had the best M&M/Oreo Blizzard of my life.

PennDOT and Allegheny College Road Sign Art/Meadville, PA/7.17.11

2011-07-26T15:26:00.001-04:00

Canadohta Lake, PA - 7.16.11

It had been a while since I had been to Canadohta Lake, probably about four summers. Heck, it had been a while since I last saw any of the Larotondas. Moving from city to city with various shows doesn't generally allow for weekend getaways, so I wasn't quite sure when one of my favorite weekends in summer would ever happen again.

As luck would have it, I decided to nix one of my mid-July shoots in favor of spending a weekend in Pittsburgh and instead of Pittsburgh, I ended up at the Larotonda's cottage at Canadohta. Total impromptu trip and one of the prettiest weekends I can remember. Sunshine, boats, campfires, fishing, marshmallows, sausages, swimming, family and some of our oldest friends. Nothing could have been better.

2011-07-26T14:25:00.003-04:00

The man, the myth, the legend, ladies and gentlemen... the Captain.

One of my dad's best friends since junior high, Dave Larotonda absolutely makes it onto most everyone's Apocalypse Survival Team. My dad and I've decided that of all the close family friends and family members, the lawyer and the photographer who knows how to load in and load out rock shows are probably not high on anyone's list - although... we do make a great management team. Keep that in mind, people.

There are stories for days about the Captain, most of which are best told with a beer in hand 'round a campfire.

7.16.11

2011-07-26T14:22:00.001-04:00

And the keeper of the fishing licenses said, "Let there be light!"

Jharv lighting (legal) fireworks/Canadohta Lake, PA/7.16.11

2011-07-26T14:15:00.002-04:00

The eagle hasssss landed! Our national symbol and his family reside in the tree-tops above the Larotonda lake cottage. Naturally, the family nest makes for a new tourist attraction on the lake - a.k.a a lot of new boat traffic at the south end.

The one I photographed is either a young male or a female. I'm only a connoisseur of Flamingos, so I wouldn't know.

7.16.11

2011-07-26T14:10:00.003-04:00

One of my oldest friends in the world Ms. Kira Larotonda and her beagle Sandy. Both passed out on the boat on a stunning Saturday afternoon on Canadohta Lake, PA.

7.16.11

2011-07-24T01:02:00.005-04:00

Something has happened in Pittsburgh that has not happened for the better part of 20 years. The Pirates are fighting for first place in the National League Central Division and PNC Park is selling out. To put this all in perspective, July 10th, 2011 marked the first time I went to this park with the intention to watch good baseball and not just great pierogi races.

And wouldn't you know it! The entry-gate give-away was wind-up pierogi racers! Oh how appropriately fun!*

But honestly, Pittsburgh is going berserk for their Buccos and it is absolutely amazing. Want some more perspective? The following weekend, my family and some of our oldest family friends went up to Canadohta Lake, just south of Erie, PA and listened to the Sunday Pirate game on the radio of a neighbor's old pick-up while we fished off the boat. That lake is somewhat of a time warp to begin with, but it was quite easy to imagine that it was 1960, the Pirates were fantastic and that those baseball games, at the park or on the radio, were something everyone fancied.

As a little girl playing ball in the back yard with her dad, I'd always pretend I was Andy Van Slyke. Never too much of a social butterfly, neighborhood baseball games were one of the only social activities about which I wasn't shy. Sadly, it was probably somewhere around 1996 that I stopped caring. Stopped caring to the point that I didn't think I liked the game anymore. However, I always had crushes on the baseball players through both high school and college (haha, did I just use the past tense?) - and come on, you can't date a baseball player and not like the game!**

Honestly, I think I was angry at the Pirates, but something was still there. It took 2011 to resurrect that feeling. It isn't as much about being a fair-weather fan as it is about a city's pending redemption in the world of baseball, or about the absolute adrenaline that this Pirate team has brought back for the 'Burgh... or about feeling like I'm a kid again.

The crack of the bat, the trajectory of the ball, the eruption of the park. Frankly, it is a glorious thing to hear one of summer's sweetest sounds return to Pittsburgh after a two-decade vacation. And with that, all we hope to say is, "Welcome back, Buccos."

Pirates vs. Cubs/PNC Park/Pittsburgh, PA/7.10.11

*We don't have to mention how upset I got when they wouldn't give me one at the gate because it was "Kids' Day" and apparently they didn't feel I looked 14.

**For the record, I'm pretty sure I told all of them I didn't like it... typical.

2011-07-23T17:53:00.002-04:00

So I fly into Manchester, New Hampshire the Sunday morning after Jim and Jo's wedding to spend the 4th of July with another giant group of friends. Three days at a beautiful lake house on Lake Winnipesaukee and what is the only thing I photograph? A few of my friends shoving Kyle into a photo booth. I can't for the life of me remember the town's name, but it was about 30 minutes away from the lake house and one of the silliest little towns I've ever been to. It will come to me eventually...

Arcade/Somewheresville, NH/7.4.11

2011-07-21T22:06:00.003-04:00

It truly is a beautiful thing when two of your closest friends wed. Jim and I were friends before he met Jo, but when I got to know Jo and the size of her heart, I knew we'd be close for a long time.

In any case, because summer is my busiest season, I often end up missing a handful of weddings, so to make this work, I flew into Charlotte at 10:20 a.m. on 7/2 and flew straight to Manchester, New Hampshire at 9:30 a.m. on 7/3, only having booked the ticket on 6/30. I can tell you one thing, it's certainly not a cheap way to travel, but it's always worth it.

Classic Jim and Johanna photo - at the alter, haha!

Mr. and Mrs. Jim Hyland/Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden/Belmont, NC/7.2.11

2011-07-21T22:00:00.002-04:00

The day we had all been waiting for happened on July 2nd, 2011. Jim Hyland weds Ms. Johanna Kingson.

Once again, it has been confirmed that I would make a terrible wedding photographer.

Mr. and Mrs. Jim Hyland/Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden/Belmont, NC/7.2.11

2011-07-19T00:16:00.002-04:00

I will always be a sucker for gorgeous hands. Gorgeous hands on a great man? Forget about it.

And with that, I shall end my Caravan segment. On June 28th, after a month out, I finally made my way back to New York - only staying, however, for a little under 72 hours.

Dave Matthews/DMB Caravan/Atlantic City, NJ/6.26.11

2011-07-19T00:11:00.002-04:00

Two dudes who are generally difficult to photograph, based on their stage positions.

Violinist Boyd Tinsley (top) and drummer Carter Beauford (bottom) of DMB/DMB Caravan/Atlantic City, NJ/6.26.11

2011-07-18T23:28:00.000-04:00

Dave Matthews/DMB Caravan/Atlantic City, NJ/6.26.11

2011-07-18T00:28:00.004-04:00

"Kids, your mother has eyes in the back of her... back..."

I cannot believe I didn't ask this girl about her tattoos.

DMB Caravan/Atlantic City, NJ/6.26.11

2011-07-18T00:08:00.003-04:00

Let go your heart,

Let go your head

And feel it now...

David Gray/DMB Caravan/Atlantic City, NJ/6.26.11

2011-07-17T23:17:00.003-04:00

I know Garth Brooks sang about his friends in low places, but there's a lot to be said for friends in high places as well. Quite literally, the boys with the boom lift keys.

It's tough to see with such tiny photos on this blog, but this is the whole festival grounds with AC in the distance. If I had my druthers, I would have driven that lift about 100 feet from stage left, just to get a better sense of the crowd. In this case, what would have been a great photo would have been a terrible idea.

Speaking of terrible ideas, did I mention that we almost fell out of the basket on our way down?

DMB Caravan/Bader Field/Atlantic City, NJ/6.25.11

2011-07-14T17:11:00.003-04:00

Not usually a fan of the tilted frame, but it fits this photo. When you are working in a photo pit in front of a 6'4 stage, sometimes you've gotta break out of your norm.

Dave Matthews Band/DMB Caravan/Atlantic City, NJ/6.25.11

2011-07-14T17:06:00.002-04:00

I dunno about that sign, Lady...

DMB crowd/DMB Caravan/Atlantic City, NJ/6.25.11

2011-07-13T16:07:00.003-04:00

This is a photo of Wayne Coyne waving goodbye to Dave Matthews' money (see below).

Juuusst kidding. He's waving goodbye to fans prior to his exit.

Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips/Atlantic Stage/DMB Caravan/Atlantic City, NJ/6.24.11

2011-07-13T15:35:00.003-04:00

Whoooo doesn't like giant balloons full of money??

As a collaborative effort between Dave Matthews and Wayne Coyne, during the Flaming Lips' Dark Side of the Moon tribute set, giant balloons were filled with cash and tossed out over the crowd as a theatric accompaniment to the song "Money."

Great idea, boys! That is... until the wind kicks up and sends the balloons over the fence and into the water.

All Wayne said was, "Welp, there goes ten grand of Dave Matthews' money!"

The Flaming Lips/Atlantic Stage/DMB Caravan/Atlantic City, NJ

2011-07-13T12:12:00.002-04:00

Another day, another show, another pretty (pollution-fueled) sunset.

DMB Caravan/Bader Field/Atlantic City, NJ/6.24.11

2011-07-12T22:15:00.006-04:00

My next destination was just a hop, skip and a jump from Philadelphia. Dirty, dirty Atlantic City, New Jersey for the first of four Dave Matthews Band Caravans.

While the line-up was delightfully solid, Bader Field as a festival site was a little less than ideal. Not to mention (one of) the inherent flaw(s) in Coran Capshaw's plan: Most DMB fans aren't so much music fans as they are Dave Matthews fans.

I will say, however, that that single flaw was great for the rest of the staff, as we could just walk up to any stage we wanted and have a pretty sweet spot - like we did for the Head and the Heart's set. These guys have been one of my favorites since Bilec's "Songs for Snow" mix CD last winter and it was a delight to finally hear them live. Highly recommended.

Jonathan Russell (top) and Charity Rose Thielen (bottom) of the Head and the Heart/Atlantic Stage/DMB Caravan/Atlantic City, NJ/6.24.11

2011-07-11T11:21:00.002-04:00

No trip to Philly is ever complete without a visit with one of my closest friends, Mrs. Cait Fling. Planned well in advance, the Philadelphia Zoo was very high on our list of things to do. Cait's little sis, Maria, came along as well!

Anyway, when I went through my zoo edits, I couldn't help clicking back and forth between these two frames. I most certainly got a kick out of it!

2011-07-11T10:44:00.002-04:00

If I didn't have to shoot through glass, this photo would be one of my favorite zoo photos.

Philadelphia Zoo/Philadelphia, PA/6.21.11

2011-07-11T10:41:00.000-04:00

Penguin dinner time!

Philadelphia Zoo/Philadelphia, PA/6.21.11

2011-07-08T00:25:00.000-04:00

Kenny Chesney/Lincoln Financial Field/Philadelphia, PA/6.18.11

2011-07-06T14:35:00.004-04:00

Two hours after the Bonnaroo staff party ended, I found myself passed out in a van on my way back to the Nashville International Airport. Don't worry, this time I knew who was driving the van. But yes, I was so assuredly passed out that the driver had to kindly shake me awake when we arrived at the terminal.

Next stop? Philadelphia for the Kenny Chesney build at Lincoln Financial Field. Got right off the plane and headed straight to the venue. Always fun!

While I didn't shoot much at all, I have a few photos that will make their way to the blog.

Zac Brown/Lincoln Financial Field/Philadelphia, PA/6.18.11

2011-07-05T20:18:00.002-04:00

When you have $2,000 worth of fireworks, usually the best idea is to just set them all off yourself.

Bonnaroo staff party/Manchester, TN/6.13.11

2011-07-02T00:00:00.000-04:00

Crawfish boil at the Bonnaroo staff party. Deeeelish. 6.13.11

2011-07-01T13:45:00.004-04:00

A little roaming around the grounds, post-Bonnaroo, pre-staff fiesta on 6.13.11.

Top photo: The giant cuckoo clock that I never actually saw go off. Supposedly it was loud as can be, but I never heard it.

Bottom photo: Cole's reflection in Dr. John's giant hat that had just been removed from the Bonnaroo arch.

2011-07-01T13:33:00.002-04:00

The glow of Widespread Panic's light show, shot from the VIP trailer at Bonnaroo on 6.12.11.