Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion The Water Cooler Some good fortune of late….

Like many here that have been busier during the warmer months, I've been here less often recently. My professional life has taken some recent turns for the better, and it's keeping me busy and smiling at the same time.

Some quick background: Ever since I was 12, I wanted to be a photographer….and was for many years….having only taken up video production for the last 15 of my 30 years in the field. I gave up still photography 5-6 years ago, though, as I was feeling bored and uninspired. I concentrated on video production, with which I was certainly busy enough. But there was a part of me that felt as though I "failed" at photography, since I went off on a different tangent.

I've gotten back into photography over the last year or so as I enjoy working digitally and with Photoshop. About six months ago, I started offering photography professionally again, and I've been busier than ever and with great types of work! I've been doing a lot of higher-end corporate portraiture, model shoots and now, in the last few weeks, concerts.

I've been made the "house photographer" for a large concert venue nearby and have all-access flexibility. I've only done a few concerts do far, and the shoots are challenging in that the Tour Manager determines how many songs of the performance myself and other media have access to. For instance, the first concert I shot (Goo Goo Dolls and Counting Crows) I was only allowed to photograph during the first three songs. Last weekend, I shot "Hippiefest" and was only allowed to shoot the first song from each of the eight or so performers! Upcoming concerts are Kenny Rogers Saturday and 311 on Sunday, and I have the Allman Brothers, Steve Miller, Alan Jackson, Eric Johnson, Charlie Daniels and several others for this season. This facility has had huge expansions this year and is expected to host very big tours next year. As important as music and photography have been to my life, I'm amazed that I'm suddenly combining my two loves! I wish this had hit earlier; maybe I would have had the chance to photograph and meet SRV.... but I'm thankful it's happening now!

Anyway, as we're all music lovers, I thought some of you might enjoy these. Take it easy with me, though… all of there are un-retouched, compressed JPEGS from the original RAW camera files!

Concert Venue (Goo Goo Dolls, Counting Crows and "Hippiefest"; password is " DM Meadowbrook " and is case-sensitive)

A Roomful of Blues concert (not at the previous venue; password is " Music " and is case-sensitive)

And finally, for non-music lovers, my last model shoot (warning, "R" rated; password is " Spiders " and is case-sensitive)

Fabulous work Mark, you are obviously awesome at what you do for a living. I admire people that actualy enjoy their jobs. Maybe someday I'll find that opportunity and can tell my corporate job to shove it. Some day I would like to be my own boss, if my wife will let me...

Good to see that you're enjoying the work, Mark, but does the Boston Symphony ever get up there?

Some nice shots, although i'm not so sure that last one rates an "R". In todays' society, i would say that barely makes a PG12.

Wonderful, Mark! I'm so happy for you!

I have been reminded - again and again - how many talents you must have to excel at photography. I think many people overlook not only the artistry, but especially the "people skills" and decisiveness required and focus simply on the craft.

Enhancing, creating and capturing the beauty of our world sounds like noble and satisfying work to me.

Love your work, Mark, and greatly admire your talent.

Congrats Mark on the new gig. Pics look great keep up the good work. Now can we really see your R rated work? lol

Congratulations Mark, this sounds fabulous. I admire your work and it is no surprise you have found success. It truly is a success if you can do something you enjoy and get paid for it! Very nice and I am looking forward to more concert pics as time goes on.

Wow, Mark! You're work is beautiful! Thanks for sharing it with us. I'm envious that you've been able to combine the things that you love most and make it into your profession. It's obvious that you're very good at it too! Please keep up updated on your future projects.

I really like how those pictures came out! There's something unique about the light and contrast in your pictures. That's definitely high quality professional photography

I smile at your great fortune, Mark. Now you can finally knock down some walls and get that living room expanded, eh? :P

When can I expect to see those royalty checks from those photos of my wife? I got lots more Axioms to buy!

Great stuff, Mark! I'd love to have your job, too! To be able to turn a passion into a career is definitely something to envy.

Thanks to all for the compliments! I promise I wasn't fishing for compliments, I just thought as fellow music lovers you might enjoy the concert photos.

The link to the last model shoot was just supplied to illustrate the second area of photography that has taken off recently. It was a more complex shoot than it looked: That's not the sun behind her, it was shot at night and was a flash on my front porch. And the "bed set" is an air mattress on a couple of sawhorses. The best part? I got to buy new sawhorses and write them off. Jeez, I'm getting old!

Regarding the "R" rating, I didn't mean to be dramatic. I just didn't want anyone opening the link at work while their boss walks by or at home with their six year-old on their lap! I guess it IS pretty mild, though!

Here's the only one that I've had a chance to retouch from that shoot as of yet:


J.P., thank your wife again for me and tell her the check's in the mail!

I was surfing the web randomly today and came across this fellow's photoblog with some darn nice shots. Thought the photogs would enjoy it.

Hey! Yer good!

I mean REALLY GOOD!!

Congratulations on the good fortune! It appears it was well preceeded by a healthy dose of tallent!

Very good Mark, well deserved.
Rich.

What is it about black and white photography that I find so...........(struggling for the word)..............captivating? intriguing? moving? I like color photography as well, but there is something about a B&W photo, particularly if it's of people in every day life, that is more "revealing" than color. It's almost like the removal of color exposes the feelings/emotions/thoughts which underly the reality depicted in the photo. Sorry. I'm not communicating my thoughts very well. It's just that I find some B&W photos very moving.

I'm with you, Jack, and find black and white captivating. There is a certain timeless quality with the format.

Mark, great work. You truly are lucky to have a career that is also a passion.

That's funny, but I didn't notice any light or contrast.

Mark - unbelieveable. Congratulations, you are a magician. That is the best I have EVER seen Jack look!!!!

Seriously; nice to see some upside for you on this and the results are stunning..

I've had a chance to shoot a few more concerts of late, though I "passed" on Alan Jackson, 311, Sean Paul and Rihanna last week because I put in almost 90 hours doing a catalog shoot! This week, I had Steve Miller and Eric Johnson and still have Chris Isaak, Anna Nalick, The Allman Brothers, Government Mule, Charlie Daniels and .38 Special.

Here's one from each of the more recent (password for all is "DM Meadowbrook"):

Kenny Rogers Gallery



Eric Johnson Gallery



Steve Miller Gallery

Amazing images, Mark.

Did I mention that I'm so jealous that I might actually hate you? j/k. Good for you, buddy. Thanks for sharing these.

Great photos, Mark. I'm so pleased that your business has picked up.

Wow, these are as good as anything I've seen in magazines or online. Really top notch.

Kenny Rogers has really been taken to the online woodshed in regards to his plastic surgery ... he needs to quit while he's ahead, or at least quit so that he doesn't get further behind! Has society learned nothing from Michael Jackson?! LINK

This is frightening! If you look closely, Kenny Rogers IS Michael Jackson. Great plastic surgery!

Bummer.

I just received word that I won't be allowed to photograph the Allman Brothers and Gov't Mule tonight...and this was one of the concerts I was most looking forward to shooting.

It's probably some casual decision by a tour manager. They always set a rule allowing photography during the first one, two, or three songs only (yes, I've never photographed more than the first 3 songs) but this is the first time I've been told "no photography at all".

I thought the Allman Brothers were pretty easy going in that they allow audio recording at concerts, etc....???

Now, I just have country music till the end of the season and I'm not into country music.

Like I said: Bummer.

Oh who wants photos of a bunch of old rock 'n' rollin' goats.

OK, Jack, this time, I'll hit him high and you hit him low. We'll get Tom to cover us with some tear gas just to make sure.

Nah, JP. I had it comin'.

You can stop looking, Mark. In any photos I've posted of me in a band, I'd be young, not the old, pudgy, ex-rock 'n' roller that I am now.