Busking from the Backyard 2021

It feels like forever since I have had the opportunity to not only watch live music, but also photographic it. So as soon as I hear, Busking from the Backyard was once again hosting their second event, I jumped at the opportunity to attend at least one day. This time around it was right in the city, in behind the The Sewing Place. Even though it was an unassuming spot, basically in the back alley, I think it worked out perfectly. It allowed for a lot of room for the performances, and also limited crowds to stop by and watch.

I really do hope live music and concerts keep on going for the rest of the year. If so, I’ll be sure to be at as many as I can make it out to!

TBSO Rehearsal

It’s crazy times we live in right now, and as a creative, it’s going to be a difficult next few months. Before things got as serious as they are now, I had the pleasure of photographing the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra rehearsing before a show last week. TBSO needed updated photos for their promotional material as well as some specific photos of a few key artists in action. It was an amazing experience not only photographing our Symphony Orchestra in action, but also seeing the amount of work that goes into the day of a performance.

Big Wreck @ NV Music Hall

It was quite the concert last night with Big Wreck at NV Music Hall. I am by no means a concert photographer but once in a while I’m asked to photograph the odd one here and there. I’ve been a fan of Big Wreck for a long time so I was excited to finally see them perform live. It was a sold at show which made for an electric crowd. As a photographer, it’s not always easy when it’s that packed, where you can’t even move, but I still managed to get a few great shots.

They of course played a lot of their classics and even some recent songs as well. Some of the highlights for me was a cover of the Tragically Hip song ‘Ahead by a Century’ and their last song of the first set, ‘Blown Wide Open’ which is one of my favourite songs by them.

If they ever roll through town again, and you are a fan, be sure to check them out! Thanks to The Walleye for asking me to cover this concert!

Five Alarm Funk + Crocks at NV

I had heard a lot of great things about Five Alarm Funk and it seemed every time they were in town, I was busy or just couldn’t make it. Last night, I finally had the pleasure of attending one of their shows for The Walleye, and I now understand what the big deal was. They were amazing! As soon as they started playing the packed dance floor was insane. I soon realized just how many local fans they had. I ended up staying for about 4 songs because it was a work night, but it was more than enough time to capture some great photos.

Not to be outdone, the opening the act was The Thirsty Monks, who I had seen live before. They were the perfect opening band as they really got the crowd growing. I would almost say they matched Five Alarm Funk with the energy level. All in all, it was such an electric and fun evening of music.

An Evening of Music on the Waterfront

Last week was the first time this year that we made it to the Live on the Waterfront event that happens every Wednesday during the summer. I decided to go again this past Wednesday and I took my mother in law and her sister with me. After we set up our seats I started walking around. I of course photographed the last two performers of the night which were great. They were Nêhiyawak and Jeremy Dutcher. I was disappointed that I missed Robin Ranger but we arrived a little too late. I have been shooting pretty much everything with the Canon EOS R which I absolutely love but this time around I decided to just use my original Canon 5D Classic.

There is just something about that camera that makes me want to keep shooting with it. It’s over 13 years old, little to know dynamic range and a very low megapixel count according to today’s standard. Who cares. It doesn’t effect me at all. It’s a joy to use and as long as you know what you are doing, you can create good photos with any camera you have. Along with the music, I also took the time to walk around the Marina and do some personal photography. I haven’t had a chance to do so in what seems like forever. It felt really good. I had no theme in mind, just capturing what ever caught me eye.

Thanks for stopping by!

Elliot Brood @ Crocks Thunder Bay

Last week I was happy to finally see Elliot Brood live at Crocks here in Thunder Bay. I had heard quite a few of their songs over the years so it was great to finally witness their music live. It was an intimate show at Crocks, and if I’m being honest, those are my favourite kind. I photographed the concert for the local newspaper The Walleye, so if you live in Thunder Bay, watch out for some of these photos in next months issue which should be out by next week.

Even though I was hired to capture the event, I made sure to also sit down for a while and enjoy it as well. It’s easy to just go go go when photographing but I’ve been trying to force myself to ‘take it all in’ as they say.

I have always preferred black and white for concert photography as I personally feel it has more emotion. At least for me. Thanks for viewing!

Finger Eleven + I Mother Earth Concert at Crocks Thunder Bay

It has actually been quite a while since I got out and photographed a concert so I was excited when The Walleye asked me to cover the Finger Eleven and I Mother Earth Concert at Crocks in Thunder Bay. Having only seen I Mother Earth live in concert a long time ago I was definitely excited to see them perform again. Admittedly I have not followed Finger Eleven but even so, they put on an amazing show. 

I recognized a few more song by I Mother Earth and they sounded just as good, if not better, then I remember from when I originally saw. The crowd at Crocks was honestly the busiest I have ever seen, and you could really feel the energy. As a photographer though, it's pretty tough getting good shots when it's so busy in a small venue. I did manage to work my way in to the front of the stage for a few songs which allowed me to get some really great shots of both bands. 

Both bands sounded amazing and I was super stoked that I had the opportunity to not only photograph both of them, but also take in the music. 

Bif Naked with Jordan Alexander @ Crocks

It was another great night of music at Crocks this past Thursday. Unlike my previous concert with Buckcherry, this was more of a laid back affair which was a nice change. Bif Naked was the star that night and she was in town for a reading of her new book - Bif Naked I, Bificus. Before she made her way to the stage, the opening act, Jordan Alexander, sang beautifully. If you haven't already, please do check her out, you won't be disappointed. 

Once Jordan was done, Bif took the stage with her husband shortly after. As I mentioned earlier, Bif read excerpts from her book and also performed some of her favourite songs. It was quite the intimate performance in front of a seated crowed. Thanks again to The Walleye for the opportunity to photograph this awesome show!

Oktoberfest 2015 - Thunder Bay Coliseum

Once again The Walleye asked if I could go out and photograph some of this years Oktoberfest. This would actually be the first year going to the event so I was curious to see how it was. Admittedly I didn't have much time on Saturday to spend too much time there, but I did manage to photograph some of the Strongman Competition and then one of the musical performances later in the evening. 

First up was the Strongman which I actually photographed a couple months earlier when it was hosted at the Wayland. During that event I was able to cover the push press event and tire flip. This time around, I got the chance to photograph the Atlas Stone lift. I have seen this on TV before but never in really life. It definitely makes you appreciate just how strong these guys are. Even when dropping the stones back onto the ground from the ledge, you could feel the weight. So suffice it to say, all the competitors had their work cut out for them. 

I spent about 30 minutes photographing the event and I managed to get some great action shots. It's hard to really show just how much weight these guys were lifting but I think you could really see it in their faces. 

Since I had a family session that evening, I decided to come back again later in the evening with my wife Anne. This time around we were inside the coliseum. As soon as we got there we grabbed a drink, after all, Sleeping Giant Brewery had some fantastic beers on tap so that was a no brainer. Then, it was time to grab my camera and get some shots of the Greenbank Trio, who sounded awesome! Afterwards, Anne and I scoured the floor for some great costumes, which there were a lot of. She's great at wrangling up strangers to photograph. When she approaches people they smile and of course say yes. When I do it on my own, the usually can't understand what I'm saying because I mumble, and then give me a sideways glance. I'm exaggerating of course, but that's what it feels like.

And then that was it. I only got to experience some of the even but the parts that I did, I really enjoyed. I can't wait to check it out next year when I hopefully have a bit more time. 

Joel Plaskett + The Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra

This past Saturday the Community Auditorium welcomed Joel Plaskett to the stage. He wasn't alone, as the entire Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra joined him. Lucky for me, I was there to photograph it once again for The Walleye. Going in I heard of Joel Plaskett, and even some of his songs. It was a totally different experience hearing him live in concert, especially when backed by an entire orchestra. 

The entire evening as extremely fun to watch. Some songs were accompanied by the orchestra while others were just Joel playing his guitar by himself. Almost always before each song he told a short story of how it came to be which really made each song that much more personal for the crowd. If you have never seen him live in concert before, next time he is in town be sure to check him out.

For those curious out there, I used the Nikon D610 and the 70-200mm VRII lens. That's all I needed. My favourite photos of the evening was one of the last ones I captured. It was a great shot of the entire stage, with the entire orchestra playing and the lights flashing in the background. It really summed out how 'big' this performance was. Thanks again for The Walleye for hiring me to photograph this even and to the Joel Plaskett and the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra for putting on an amazing show.