When I found out about this concert, I was so excited and knew I needed to try my best to get a photo pass. This would be my fifth time seeing Dreamers, and it was at my favorite venue. I love this venue as both a concert goer and a band photographer. I normally try to avoid mentioning venues by name in these blog posts, but the Van Buren is such a nice venue, and I highly recommend seeing a concert here if you're in the area. But my favorite thing about this venue is, unlike some strict venues (see the 311 blog post), here if you get a photo pass it works for all of the bands that night. I had been trying for three years to photograph Dreamers with my professional camera from the photo pit, and now this was going to be my best shot. I sent out emails to them and the two other bands, and patiently waited.
One day I checked my phone and got the notification I had been hoping for. I was finally being given the opportunity. IRONTOM saw my email and was more than happy to give me a photo pass. I was so beyond excited to take photos of them, Arrested Youth, and finally of Dreamers.
The day of the concert I went to the venue early and tried to pick up my photo pass before Dreamers' meet and greet. The passes weren't available until when doors open, which was a problem because of my early entry. Luckily the office lady helped me out and ran over my photo pass to me while I was waiting for the meet and greet to start. The meet and greet was fun like always, and I was thrilled to be able to wear a photo pass in my photo with the band.
While we were hanging out between the meet and greet and doors open I saw IRONTOM's drummer chilling out on his phone over at one of the tables. I decided to go over and say hi, explain that I was so excited to be able to take photos of their set, and thank them again for the opportunity. He was beyond sweet and really excited to see my photos later, because it turned out he was the one who had given me the photo pass. That was really special and it was great to be able to meet him and say thanks for the opportunity in person. They used really pretty lighting and color combinations, and it was really fun to photograph them.
Next up I want to talk about Arrested Youth. They were another really great band to photograph. Their red, white, and black aesthetic was a fun challenge to photograph, and I really like how some of the photos turned out. I loved taking photos of their guitarist Aaron Shadrow (who has now left the band), he was so expressive and really fun to photograph. I couldn't believe my luck when he dropped to his knees right in front of me. I was so glad that I had chosen to hang out on the left side of the stage in front of him, instead of the right side like some of the other photographers. Another reason why I loved photographing Arrested Youth was lead singer, Ian Johnson's relationship with the crowd. It's always so much fun having to dodge the lead singer and their mic chord in the photo pit when they decide to jump off the stage, ran around the photo pit, and stand on the crowd barrier. It doesn't happen that often, but when it does it always makes me laugh. It's so much fun sharing that space with them, and trying to capture the moment while also being extremely careful to stay out of their way while also making sure not to trip over or get hit by the mic chord.
Time to talk about Dreamers, a band that is near and dear to my heart. This was my fifth time seeing them in concert, and each time it has gotten better and better. If you haven't had the pleasure to see them perform live, I highly recommend trying to go to their next show. They are such a fun and passionate band who really care about their audience. It was so great to finally be able to photograph their set from the photo pit. They are so much fun, and use such dreamy lighting. I really love the first big photo below that I took of Nick Wold. He is one of the absolute kindest people I have ever met, so it was really special to me to finally be able to capture his talent on camera.
I really enjoyed this experience, and am so thankful to IRONTOM for giving me the opportunity. It can be a challenge to get a photo pass when you aren't working for a publication, so I am always so thankful when a band gives me the chance.
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