These early moments where not my first venture in to photography though. I come from an art background, and through college and art school had tried my hand at it before, briefly working in a Red Room on original film photography but the spark was never quite ignited then. I can remember, years ago, when at a concert, I told the security that I worked for a magazine and all I needed was a couple of shots to go with an article I was writing. All lies. But I did need some for an art project I was doing. Surprisingly though, they bought it and let me into the photo pit.
I couldn't believe it and I didn't quite know what to do now I had got there. I don't think I had thought that far ahead. I can remember looking around and seeing the crowd from the other side of the barrier going crazy, then suddenly, seeing thee vocalist jumping in to the crowd, right next to where I was knelt with my tiny 'point and shoot', trying to fit in.
I think from that point I fell in love with capturing moments like that, but It wasn't until years later that I would realize it. At a show, everything can be so chaotic. The bands going crazy, the crowd are going crazier, and to try and capture that feeling in one shot and to be successful enough to make you want to keep doing it, never knowing quite what's going to happen next. That's what I love about photographing live music. I still get that same feeling now in the photo pit as I did the first time.
On the other side of the spectrum, landscape and wildlife photography is just so peaceful and such a contradiction to shooting live shows. You have time to think, analyse and control your shot, and at the same time, wind down and relax.
Every different type of photography I do contains a different element that I love. I guess, now I understand why my girlfriend was always looking down the lens at concerts, trying to capture that perfect moment. I am just so grateful now to be able to do this as a job and hopefully capture your perfect moments.