(Dragonforce @ House of Blues)

I’ve mentioned it before, but the way I got into photography was through music photography. I started off taking photos at concerts when I was a sophomore in college. I met some great local bands who encouraged me by giving me photopasses to all their shows, and I just kept practicing. Now, seven years later, I still shoot concerts and musician promotional photos on a regular basis. In fact, I even have a reoccurring column on Spin.com that features my photos from the Chicago scene.

The best part, however, is all the people I’ve met through shooting music. Most of the people that gave me my first passes years ago remain my best friends. Through them and others, I’ve met a ton of new friends that are part of the local Chicago scene. Most music photographers strive to shoot all the big acts because that’s where you get great light, money from licensing your images, and make a name for yourself… however, while I do still shoot some big names, my favorite concerts are always the local or underground bands.

To me, concert photography is one of the hardest types of photography there is… ever changing light (or often, hardly any light), fast movement, unpredicable, etc. But, that’s what makes it fun. It also did a great job of preparing me for lots of other types of photography…especially candid and event photography.

So, for today’s Casual Friday, enjoy a few of my favorite shots from this year!

(Frantic @ The Metro)

(Treaty of Paris Recording @ Audioisking Studios)

(Dr. Manhattan @ Beat Kitchen)

(Company of Thieves, behind-the-scenes at the “Pressure” video shoot)

(Last Fast Action @ Subterranean)

(Cavalry @ LaSalle Power Co.)

(Gaslight Anthem @ Double Door)