Richard McBlane Photography: Blog

Elizabeth's Senior Portrait

Mon, 04 Apr 2016 01:54:42 GMT

I love evening photo shoots at this time of year in Texas. We're not quite into the blisteringly hot part of the year just yet, and being outdoors at sunset is very pleasant indeed. These shots of the lovely Elizabeth were taken at San Gabriel park in Georgetown.

Halloween

Sat, 31 Oct 2015 21:39:00 GMT

Ah... Halloween. That wonderful time of year when I get to unleash my inner low-budget Anne Geddes.

Halloween - Butterfly costume Halloween - Dragon costume Halloween - Dragon costume Halloween - Dragon costume

Emily & Jerred's Wedding

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 01:07:00 GMT

I really enjoyed shooting Emily and Jerred's wedding at the River Oaks Garden Club in Houston. Even the post-ceremony formals (which aren't always the most fun for people who just want to get to the eating and drinking and dancing), were a blast, thanks to a very funny and up-for-it crowd.

Heidi & Omar's Wedding

Mon, 31 Aug 2015 20:57:00 GMT

Heidi and Omar's wedding at Chapel Dulcinea in Austin was a very intimate affair. Both bride and groom are accomplished musicians, with Omar even performing a song for Heidi during their reception, making the rest of us husbands look like unromantic chumps in the process. I also loved, loved, loved their choice of music for the reception - mostly classic rock 'n' roll and R&B from the 50s and 60s. I'm pretty sure this is the only Texas wedding I've ever shot where they didn't play Boot Scootin' Boogie.

Wedding at Chapel Dulcinea, Austin, TX Wedding at Chapel Dulcinea, Austin, TX

Madisons Band Photo

Wed, 01 Jul 2015 15:45:00 GMT

Our old chums Madisons are back with a new violinist, Heidi Garcia. It's always an absolute pleasure to shoot band promo pics for these guys.

MadisonsL-R: Mike Rothschild, Nick Kukowski, Cameron Cummings, Heidi Garcia, Thomas Damron, Oscar Gomez, Dominic Solis MadisonsL-R: Oscar Gomez, Thomas Damron, Mike Rothschild, Cameron Cummings, Heidi Garcia, Nick Kukowski, Dominic Solis

Sarah and Danny's Wedding

Tue, 02 Jun 2015 02:23:00 GMT

Here are some of my favorite photos from Sarah and Danny's wedding at Camp Lucy in Dripping Springs, Texas. Danny is a Marine, and this was the first military wedding that I've ever shot.

Kristin & Cody's Wedding

Fri, 01 May 2015 22:53:00 GMT

There's a lot to be said for the low-key wedding. Kristin and Cody chose to have their ceremony and reception at Cody's parents' house in Austin. It was clear that a lot of work was put into the event, but everyone came across as so relaxed and so comfortable. It made the proceedings look absolutely effortless. Kristin in particular was one of the most laid-back brides I've ever encountered. No stress and all fun is what it should be all about.

See pictures from Kristin and Cody's photo booth here.

Kristin & Cody's Wedding - The Photo Booth

Fri, 01 May 2015 22:52:00 GMT

I loved Kristin and Cody's wedding, the photos from which you can see here. I was asked to set up a little makeshift photo booth, which basically involved just me, my camera, some lights, and some props graciously provided by our hosts. Good times!

Anna & Brent's Wedding

Sun, 19 Apr 2015 18:52:00 GMT

It's been almost a year since I shot Anna and Brent's engagement pictures, and I couldn't have been more delighted to finally be shooting their big day at Mercury Hall in Austin. Anna and Brent are one of the most genuine, downright lovely couples I've ever had the pleasure of working with. Even with all the stress that comes with a large wedding, they were so pleasant and courteous to everyone. It was a really wonderful day.

SXSW 2015: An Above Average Evening with the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre

Thu, 26 Mar 2015 01:16:00 GMT

Comedy showcases at SXSW always bring me nothing but joy, but when the UCB Theatre is involved you know you're going to see something extra special. Hosted by Esther's Follies, it was great seeing such big names as Amy Schumer and Judd Apatow in such an intimate venue, but even the non-headliners were of the same exceptionally high standard. As one of many highlights (they were all highlights!), I was absolutely delighted to see Lauren Lapkus, a very prolific performer on the comedy podcast scene of which I'm currently a shameless addict.

Pictured below are:

Eliot Glazer
John Early
Jay Pharoah
Vanessa Bayer
Lauren Lapkus
Amy Schumer
Judd Apatow

SXSW 2015 - Eliot GlazerAn Above Average Evening with the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre at Esther's Follies SXSW 2015 - Eliot GlazerAn Above Average Evening with the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre at Esther's Follies SXSW 2015 - Matt BesserAn Above Average Evening with the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre at Esther's Follies SXSW 2015 - John EarlyAn Above Average Evening with the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre at Esther's Follies SXSW 2015 - Jay PharoahAn Above Average Evening with the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre at Esther's Follies SXSW 2015 - Vanessa BayerAn Above Average Evening with the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre at Esther's Follies SXSW 2015 - Lauren LapkusAn Above Average Evening with the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre at Esther's Follies SXSW 2015 - Lauren LapkusAn Above Average Evening with the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre at Esther's Follies Lauren LapkusAn Above Average Evening with the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre at Esther's Follies SXSW 2015 - Amy SchumerAn Above Average Evening with the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre at Esther's Follies SXSW 2015 - Amy SchumerAn Above Average Evening with the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre at Esther's Follies SXSW 2015 - Judd ApatowAn Above Average Evening with the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre at Esther's Follies SXSW 2015 - Judd ApatowAn Above Average Evening with the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre at Esther's Follies SXSW 2015 - Judd ApatowAn Above Average Evening with the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre at Esther's Follies SXSW 2015 - Judd ApatowAn Above Average Evening with the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre at Esther's Follies

SXSW 2015: Domino Records Showcase at Mohawk

Tue, 24 Mar 2015 23:48:00 GMT

I like shooting at the outdoor stage at Mohawk. The venue's three different levels can make for some interesting compositions. Tonight's Domino Records showcase was great. A particular highlight for me was seeing Hamilton Leithauser (lead singer of The Walkmen) performing his solo material. Man, that guy gets intense. The shots below also include the wonderful Matthew E. White and Laura Marling.

SXSW 2015 - Matthew E. WhiteDomino Records Showcase at Mohawk SXSW 2015 - Matthew E. WhiteDomino Records Showcase at Mohawk SXSW 2015 - Matthew E. WhiteDomino Records Showcase at Mohawk SXSW 2015 - Matthew E. WhiteDomino Records Showcase at Mohawk SXSW 2015 - Laura MarlingDomino Records Showcase at Mohawk SXSW 2015 - Laura MarlingDomino Records Showcase at Mohawk SXSW 2015 - Laura MarlingDomino Records Showcase at Mohawk Laura MarlingDomino Records Showcase at Mohawk SXSW 2015 - Laura MarlingDomino Records Showcase at Mohawk SXSW 2015 - Laura MarlingDomino Records Showcase at Mohawk SXSW 2015 - Hamilton LeithauserDomino Records Showcase at Mohawk SXSW 2015 - Hamilton LeithauserDomino Records Showcase at Mohawk SXSW 2015 - Hamilton LeithauserDomino Records Showcase at Mohawk SXSW 2015 - Hamilton LeithauserDomino Records Showcase at Mohawk

SXSW 2015: Film

Mon, 23 Mar 2015 20:25:00 GMT

In the past, I've covered a lot of panels and shows during SXSW, but this year I got to shoot a few movie premieres. While mostly low-budget indie films, it was a real treat to shoot and talk to some people whose work I genuinely admire, particularly Reggie Watts (Comeday Bang! Bang!, soon-to-be band leader on The Late Late Show) and Mark Duplass (The League, The One I Love).

SXSW 2015 - Mark Duplass6 Years (Executive Director) SXSW 2015 - Mark Duplass6 Years (Executive Director) SXSW 2015 - Nick Koenig (aka Hot Sugar)Hot Sugar's Cold World SXSW 2015 - Rainn WilsonBoy (Actor) SXSW 2015 - Benjamin DickinsonCreative Control (Actor, Director) SXSW 2015 - Alexia RasmussenCreative Control (Actor) SXSW 2015 - Himanshu Suri aka HeemsCreative Control (Actor) SXSW 2015 - Dan GillCreative Control (Actor) SXSW 2015 - Reggie WattsCreative Control (Actor) SXSW 2015 - Reggie WattsCreative Control (Actor) SXSW 2015: (L-R) Reggie Watts, Alexia Rasmussen, Benjamin Dickinson, Himanshu Suri, Dan GillCast of Creative Control SXSW 2015 - Q&A with cast and crew of Creative Control at the Alamo Ritz SXSW 2015 - Reggie WattsCreative Control (Actor)

SXSW 2015: Panels

Sun, 22 Mar 2015 18:38:00 GMT

I shot quite a few panels during this year's SXSW. As I've mentioned before, taking pictures of people talking under convention center lighting is never going to be too much fun for a photographer, but I do enjoy the experience of being there and listening to what the speakers have to say. Here is just a small selection from this year's panels, which include the following people...

Jonah Peretti (founder and CEO of Buzzfeed)
Cameron & Tyler Winklevoss (rowers / internet entrepreneurs)
Wiz Khalifa (rapper)
Lauren Giraldo (digital personality)
Robert Rodriguez (film director)
Dave Stewart (ex-Eurythmics musician)
Frank Sinatra Jr. (singer)
Steve Van Zandt (E Street Band musician)

Also, while not technically from a panel, I've included some shots of comedian James Adomian, who presented this year's Interactive Awards. I'd seen him at last year's SXSW where he instantly became one of my favorite comedians. While I'm a wee bit disappointed I didn't get to see him perform a set this year, seeing him host the awards and then having the opportunity to photograph him afterwards was a great consolation.

SXSW 2015 - Jonah PerettiLessons From Buzzfeed SXSW 2015 - Jonah Peretti Lessons From Buzzfeed SXSW 2015 - Cameron and Tyler WinklevossBitcoin: What It Needs To Succeed SXSW 2015 - Tyler WinklevossBitcoin: What It Needs To Succeed SXSW 2015 - Cameron WinklevossBitcoin: What It Needs To Succeed SXSW 2015 - Wiz KhalifaMusic In Sports SXSW 2015 - Wiz KhalifaMusic In Sports SXSW 2015 - Wiz KhalifaMusic In Sports SXSW 2015 - Lauren GiraldoCultural Connections: TV, Digital and the New Mainstream SXSW 2015 - Robert RodriguezCultural Connections: TV, Digital and the New Mainstream SXSW 2015 - Dave StewartSweet Dreams: Where Creativity and Commerce Collide SXSW 2015 - Frank Sinatra Jr.Sinatra: An American Icon SXSW 2015 - Steve Van ZandtSinatra: An American Icon SXSW 2015 - James AdomianInteractive Awards SXSW 2015 - James AdomianInteractive Awards

Taryn & Shane's Wedding

Sun, 01 Feb 2015 04:54:00 GMT

First wedding of 2015! And I don't think I could've asked for a nicer bride and groom to shoot. Taryn and Shane were one of the most easy-going and relaxed couples I've worked with in a while, traits they shared with their entire wedding party. It's always immensely fun to shoot a group of people who have such great chemistry together.

I'd also like to give a little shout out to wedding coordinator Rachel Stepanov of The Fairytale Effect. Wedding coordinators have such an incredibly hard and stressful job to do, but Rachel handled this one with seemingly effortless grace and professionalism. My photography partner and I felt like we were well taken care of. Highly recommended!

Cindi & Micky's Wedding

Sat, 01 Nov 2014 19:18:00 GMT

I'd shot some promo photos for Micky's band's new album earlier this year, and I was delighted to be able to shoot he and Cindi's wedding at the lovely House On The Hill in Austin. It was perhaps one of the most intimate ceremonies that I've shot in a while, but certainly very charming.

Lisa & Ryan's Wedding

Fri, 31 Oct 2014 03:50:00 GMT

For Lisa and Ryan's wedding, I got to spend more time with the groom and groomsmen than I normally would, and I had a blast. What I really loved about Ryan and his groomsmen (apart from them all being an extremely amiable bunch) is that they weren't afraid to get a bit silly for the camera. The shot of them all jumping in front of the Kindred Oaks 'LOVE' sign never fails to make me smile every time I look at it.

Lauren & Ryan's Wedding

Wed, 01 Oct 2014 04:22:00 GMT

There was a point right before Ryan and Lauren's wedding ceremony where the very young flower girl had quite a bit of a meltdown (something that very young children, flower girls or not, are wont to do). With makeup smudged all over her face, and the ceremony starting in mere seconds, she recovered from her meltdown but had no option other than to head down that aisle, smudged makeup and all. It was a funny moment, and I personally think that it's photos of things like this that will really make the family laugh years from now. It's the unplanned and unexpected moments that have the greatest impact, emotional, comical or otherwise.

Lauren & Ryan's Wedding, Buckholts, TX Lauren & Ryan's Wedding, Buckholts, TX Lauren & Ryan's Wedding, Buckholts, TX Lauren & Ryan's Wedding, Buckholts, TX Lauren & Ryan's Wedding, Buckholts, TX Lauren & Ryan's Wedding, Buckholts, TX Lauren & Ryan's Wedding, Buckholts, TX

Madisons CD Release Party at The Saxon Pub

Sat, 02 Aug 2014 01:24:00 GMT

I still remember one of the very first times I shot a Madisons performance. The band was playing to a small handful of people in a tiny record store on the east side of Austin. Here we are just a few short years later at the Saxon Pub, one of Austin's most beloved and respected music venues. The place is filled to capacity with people outside are having to be turned away. Madisons have certainly come a long way, and I honestly can't think of a band more deserving of their success. Tonight was one of several shows celebrating the release of their sophomore album, You Can Take Your Sorry Ass Back to West Texas!, which has already received some pretty glowing reviews in the music press.

Madisons CD Release Party at The Saxon Pub, Austin, TXDominic Solis Madisons CD Release Party at The Saxon Pub, Austin, TXOscar Gomez Madisons CD Release Party at The Saxon Pub, Austin, TXThomas Damron Madisons CD Release Party at The Saxon Pub, Austin, TXNick Kukowski Madisons CD Release Party at The Saxon Pub, Austin, TXJocelyn White Madisons CD Release Party at The Saxon Pub, Austin, TXDominic Solis

Heather & Ryan's Wedding

Wed, 02 Jul 2014 00:00:00 GMT

I shot Heather's bridal portraits back in March, but it felt like it was yesterday as I drove to her wedding at Briscoe Manor in Richmond, near Houston. I had been very much looking forward to seeing Heather and her family again, and I had fun shooting the wedding. It was a classy event, to be sure. My favorite shot of the night came right at the end during the bride and groom's exit (see the very last photo below). Exit photos are notoriously difficult to capture - they're often outdoors at night, they happen quickly and there's lots of movement. Heather and Ryan, bless 'em, made their exit right outside the remarkably well-lit door to the reception hall as their friends and family waved them off with glow sticks. It's the joy in Heather and Ryan's faces that makes this photo for me.

Madisons Promo Shoot

Mon, 02 Jun 2014 03:06:00 GMT

Madisons are no strangers to this blog. In the past I've mainly shot their live shows, but this time around I was asked to take some band promo shots in support of their upcoming album, You Can Take Your Sorry Ass Back To West Texas! I learned that trying to coordinate a seven-piece band (and occasionally a dog) is certainly not without its challenges, but at no point did working with Madisons feel like actual work. They are a stupendously nice bunch of people, and this shoot was a lot of fun for me.

MadisonsBack Row, L-R: Cameron Cummings, Thomas Damron, Mike Rothschild, Nick Kukowski. Front Row L-R: Oscar Gomez, Jocelyn White, Dominic Solis

Ashleigh & Blanton's Wedding

Mon, 19 May 2014 01:03:00 GMT

The amount of planning and hard work that went into Ashleigh and Blanton's wedding at Cinnamon Shore in Port Aransas must have been staggering. It was an incredibly beautiful event. The wedding and reception were wonderful, with my favorite moment captured being an emotional Ashleigh during the father-daughter dance. This was also one of the few weddings I've been to where the dance floor was packed all night, mainly thanks to Austin's wildly entertaining 80s covers band The Spazmatics.

Anna & Brent's Engagement Shoot

Sat, 10 May 2014 02:12:00 GMT

Anna and Brent were an absolute joy to work with throughout this shoot, which started off at the Texas Capitol Building before relocating to Zilker Park, where the couple's dogs joined them as they posed on a very cool red vintage-looking couch. Seriously, Anna and Brent were just lovely. I can't wait to shoot their wedding next year!

Young Texans Against Cancer Powderpuff Football

Tue, 06 May 2014 01:37:00 GMT

These are some shots from the 2nd annual Young Texans Against Cancer Powderpuff Football game at the Texas School for the Deaf. It was a fantastic game, with reigning champions The Cherry Bombs once again defeating their rivals, The Blue Belles, who put up a great fight. It's all for a very worthy cause, and you can find out how to go about donating your time and/or money by visiting their website, here.

Micky and The Motorcars Photo Shoot

Wed, 30 Apr 2014 19:18:00 GMT

Alt-country band Micky and The Motorcars have a huge following here in Texas, and I was really happy to be asked to take some promo shots for their upcoming album Hearts From Above. The band are such nice guys, and the whole shoot at Zilker Clubhouse was incredibly easy-going. We got a bunch of great shots, but this is my personal favorite.

Micky and The MotorcarsL-R: Joe Fladger, Micky Braun, Bobby Paugh, Dustin Schaefer, Gary Braun

Heather's Bridal Portraits

Wed, 02 Apr 2014 04:08:00 GMT

With less than an hour to go before this shoot at the Wells Branch Homestead, a sudden downpour threatened to derail everything. I've got to hand it to Heather, though, because I don't think many brides would have been as calm and collected as she was when faced with the prospect of having to reschedule the shoot, especially as she had already spent considerable time getting her hair and makeup done.

Luck was on our side, however. The downpour was over quickly and the sun was out again in no time at all. The grass remained a bit damp, but all we needed was a strategically placed tarp on the ground and we were good to go!

SXSW 2014 - Turnstile Music Presents... We Throw Parties, You Throw Knives

Tue, 25 Mar 2014 01:30:00 GMT

This showcase takes its name from a rather jaunty little song by Wales-based band Los Campesinos!, with the lineup consisting of several of their label-mates:

H. Hawkline
Sea Lion
Perfume Genius
Christopher Owens (ex-Girls frontman)
Gruff Rhys (Super Furry Animals / Neon Neon)
Cate Le Bon

The showcase took place in St. David's Historic Sanctuary, which, much like the Central Presbyterian (another church that becomes a music venue during SXSW), has absolutely fantastic acoustics. All the acts were outstanding, but I particularly enjoyed Perfume Genius, who I didn't know much about going into this show, but I'd be willing to wager that the adjective "haunting" gets used a lot to describe his live show.

SXSW 2014 - Turnstile Music Presents... We Throw Parties, You Throw KnivesH. Hawkline SXSW 2014 - Turnstile Music Presents... We Throw Parties, You Throw KnivesSea Lion SXSW 2014 - Turnstile Music Presents... We Throw Parties, You Throw KnivesSea Lion SXSW 2014 - Turnstile Music Presents... We Throw Parties, You Throw KnivesChristopher Owens SXSW 2014 - Turnstile Music Presents... We Throw Parties, You Throw KnivesChristopher Owens SXSW 2014 - Turnstile Music Presents... We Throw Parties, You Throw KnivesPerfume Genius SXSW 2014 - Turnstile Music Presents... We Throw Parties, You Throw KnivesPerfume Genius SXSW 2014 - Turnstile Music Presents... We Throw Parties, You Throw KnivesGruff Rhys SXSW 2014 - Turnstile Music Presents... We Throw Parties, You Throw KnivesGruff Rhys SXSW 2014 - Turnstile Music Presents... We Throw Parties, You Throw KnivesCate Le Bon

SXSW 2014 - Slaves at Latitude 30

Mon, 24 Mar 2014 00:53:00 GMT

Slaves, from Kent, were the headlining band at Latitude 30's British Music Showcase (the rest of the shots from that night can be seen in my previous blog post).

A garage-punk duo consisting of Isaac Holman (vocals, drums) and Laurie Vincent (guitar, vocals), Slaves were absolutely one of the most refreshing live acts I have ever seen at SXSW. Their music is fast, aggressive and noisy, but Holman and Vincent infuse it with a great sense of playfulness that makes them wildly entertaining to watch. I hope they come through Austin again soon.

SXSW 2014 - Slaves at Latitude 30Isaac Holman and Laurie Vincent SXSW 2014 - Slaves at Latitude 30Isaac Holman SXSW 2014 - Slaves at Latitude 30Laurie Vincent SXSW 2014 - Slaves at Latitude 30Isaac Holman SXSW 2014 - Slaves at Latitude 30Isaac Holman SXSW 2014 - Slaves at Latitude 30Isaac Holman and Laurie Vincent SXSW 2014 - Slaves at Latitude 30Isaac Holman SXSW 2014 - Slaves at Latitude 30Isaac Holman SXSW 2014 - Slaves at Latitude 30Laurie Vincent SXSW 2014 - Slaves at Latitude 30Isaac Holman and Laurie Vincent SXSW 2014 - Slaves at Latitude 30Isaac Holman SXSW 2014 - Slaves at Latitude 30Laurie Vincent SXSW 2014 - Slaves at Latitude 30Laurie Vincent SXSW 2014 - Slaves at Latitude 30Isaac Holman SXSW 2014 - Slaves at Latitude 30Laurie Vincent SXSW 2014 - Slaves at Latitude 30

SXSW 2014 - British Music Showcase at Latitude 30

Fri, 21 Mar 2014 05:23:00 GMT

Every year during SXSW, Latitude 30 becomes somewhat of an ambassador for British music. Tonight the place was jam-packed, and I was pretty much confined to my little spot at the corner of the stage for the duration of the show. Most, if not all, of the bands were making their US debuts during SXSW, and the likes of Wolf Alice and Jungle arrived with a lot of buzz. I particularly enjoyed Glasgow band Prides. What can I say? I'm a sucker for synthpop and anthemic choruses, and Prides delivered in spades.

The full lineup:

Sweet Baboo
Wolf Alice
Prides
Bipolar Sunshine
Jungle
Slaves

SXSW 2014 - British Music Showcase at Latitude 30Sweet Baboo (Stephen Black) SXSW 2014 - British Music Showcase at Latitude 30Ellie Rowsell of Wolf Alice SXSW 2014 - British Music Showcase at Latitude 30Joff Oddie of Wolf Alice SXSW 2014 - British Music Showcase at Latitude 30Bipolar Sunshine (Adio Marchant) SXSW 2014 - British Music Showcase at Latitude 30Bipolar Sunshine (Adio Marchant) SXSW 2014 - British Music Showcase at Latitude 30Callum Wiseman and Stewart Brock of Prides SXSW 2014 - British Music Showcase at Latitude 30Callum Wiseman of Prides SXSW 2014 - British Music Showcase at Latitude 30Prides SXSW 2014 - British Music Showcase at Latitude 30Josh Lloyd-Watson of Jungle

SXSW 2014 - Up Next featuring Fred Armisen at Esther's Follies

Fri, 21 Mar 2014 04:10:00 GMT

Rest assured, if someone with their own TV show is performing at SXSW, people will come in their droves to see them. Fred Armisen (of Saturday Night Live and Portlandia fame) was no exception. This event at Esther's Follies, headlined by Armisen, featured a bevy of comedy talent, many of whom also had connections to SNL. A huge line had formed outside hours before the show was even due to start, and I suspect there were a lot of disappointed people who got turned away.

I love, love, love going to comedy shows, especially at the more intimate venues like Esther's Follies. This was my first time shooting one, however. The challenges are pretty much the same as a lot of music photography (dim lighting, no flash allowed, microphones obscuring the performers' faces, etc.), but being able to walk around a venue where everyone remains seated made for a much more relaxing time. Esther's Follies is a particularly nice venue for photography because the room slopes downwards towards the stage. Standing at the back, you can get a pretty clear shot over everybody's heads.

I enjoyed the whole show immensely. Every act was outstanding, but the highlight of the night (and indeed the entire festival) for me, was BriTANick. BriTANick (rhymes with Titanic) are a duo comprised of Nick Kocher and Brian McElhaney, and they might just be my new favorite thing ever. There's no way I can even come close to conveying just how funny their act was with my horrible, useless words, but to summarize, Kocher and McElhaney play multiple roles in a skit set in an old-timey western saloon, frantically switching back and forth between characters. Things start out simply enough, but the skit gets continuously derailed as Kocher sabotages and manipulates proceedings in order to try and kiss McElhany. As I said, I can't do it justice, but what I found so impressive was just how tight their performances were. It was a complicated, fast-paced sketch, and they never once missed a beat. It was incredible to watch. I've looked everywhere online for a recording but to no avail. They do have a bunch of videos on YouTube, however, so I implore you to check them out. Here's one of my favorites (there is a bit of bad language, just in case you don't like that kind of thing)...

And here are some photos from the evening.

SXSW 2014: Up Next featuring Fred ArmisenSasheer Zamata SXSW 2014: Up Next featuring Fred ArmisenTim Robinson SXSW 2014: Up Next featuring Fred ArmisenSasheer Zamata SXSW 2014: Up Next featuring Fred ArmisenTim Robinson SXSW 2014: Up Next featuring Fred ArmisenJoe Wengert SXSW 2014: Up Next featuring Fred ArmisenChris Gethard SXSW 2014: Up Next featuring Fred ArmisenChris Gethard SXSW 2014: Up Next featuring Fred ArmisenBriTANick (Brian McElhaney and Nick Kocher) SXSW 2014: Up Next featuring Fred ArmisenBriTANick (Brian McElhaney and Nick Kocher) SXSW 2014: Up Next featuring Fred ArmisenBriTANick (Brian McElhaney and Nick Kocher) SXSW 2014: Up Next featuring Fred ArmisenNick Rutherford of Good Neighbor

SXSW 2014: Up Next featuring Fred ArmisenNick Rutherford and Beck Bennett of Good Neighbor SXSW 2014: Up Next featuring Fred ArmisenKyle Mooney of Good Neighbor SXSW 2014: Up Next featuring Fred ArmisenTim Meadows SXSW 2014: Up Next featuring Fred ArmisenFred Armisen SXSW 2014: Up Next featuring Fred ArmisenFred Armisen SXSW 2014: Up Next featuring Fred ArmisenFred Armisen SXSW 2014: Up Next featuring Fred ArmisenFred Armisen

SXSW 2014 - Panels

Thu, 20 Mar 2014 01:48:00 GMT

You may already have seen some of the images from the Kevin Bacon and Mindy Kaling SXSW panels I covered, but I acknowledge that pictures of people talking in convention centers can get a bit samey after a while, so I've decided to condense the rest of my panel shots into one easily-digestible post. If you have a gander at the photos below you will see, in no particular order...

Andy Cohen (Bravo's Executive Vice President of Development and Talent)
Grace Helbig (internet personality and comedian)
Tyler Oakley (YouTube Star)
Ze Frank (Executive Vice President of Video at Buzzfeed)
George Clinton (funk legend)
Laura Jane Grace (lead singer / guitarist of Against Me!)
Big Freedia (musician / reality TV star)
Sharon Needles (musician / drag artist)
John Norris (former MTV News anchor)
Biz Stone (co-founder of Twitter, co-founder and CEO of Jelly)
Steven Johnson (author)
Mark Cuban (entrepreneur / manager of the Dallas Mavericks)
Aaron Levie (co-founder and CEO of Box)
Ben Wizner (director of the American Civil Liberties Union's Speech, Privacy & Technology Project / Edward Snowden’s legal adviser)
Christopher Soghoian (principal technologist of the American Civil Liberties Union)
Pete Cashmore (founder and CEO of Mashable)
Joanna Coles (Editor-in-Chief of Cosmopolitan)
Oliver Fleurot (CEO of MSLGROUP / former CEO of The Financial Times)

SXSW 2014: Super Fandom in the Digital AgeL-R: Tyler Oakley, Ze Frank, Andy Cohen, Grace Helbig SXSW 2014: Generation Mash-Up: Y Bother?Pete Cashmore SXSW 2014: The NonconformistsSharon Needles SXSW 2014: A Virtual Conversation with Edward SnowdenBen Wizner and Christopher Soghoian SXSW 2014: Biz Stone in Conversation with Steven JohnsonBiz Stone SXSW 2014: Biz Stone in Conversation with Steven JohnsonSteven Johnson SXSW 2014: Generation Mash-Up: Y Bother?Oliver Fleurot SXSW 2014: Copyright Termination Rules Have to ChangeGeorge Clinton Box's Aaron Levie Talks w/FORTUNE's Jessi HempelAaron Levie SXSW 2014: Biz Stone in Conversation with Steven JohnsonSteven Johnson and Biz Stone SXSW 2014: The NonconformistsBig Freedia SXSW 2014: Generation Mash-Up: Y Bother?L-R: Oliver Fleurot, Joanna Coles, Pete Cashmore SXSW 2014: Biz Stone in Conversation with Steven Johnson SXSW 2014: The NonconformistsLaura Jane Grace of Against Me! SXSW 2014: One on One with Mark CubanMark Cuban SXSW 2014: The NonconformistsL-R: Laura Jane Grace, Sharon Needles, Big Freedia, John Norris

SXSW 2014 - Running The Show: TV's New Queen of Comedy

Tue, 11 Mar 2014 01:00:00 GMT

As a big fan of The Office, it was exciting for me to shoot Mindy Kaling as she talked about her latest show, The Mindy Project. Mindy was interviewed by Marie Claire Editor-in-Chief Anne Fulenwider, and was joined on stage by her co-stars Ike Barinholtz and Adam Pally. All three actors clearly have a great chemistry together, and it was fun to listen to them talk about their experiences and trade lighthearted jibes about having Mindy as a boss.

SXSW 2014 - Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon: A Social Phenomenon Turns 20

Mon, 10 Mar 2014 01:38:00 GMT

I've shot SXSW quite a bit these last few years. Traditionally I've mainly covered the music aspect of the festival, but this year I branched out more into the interactive and film side of things.

One of my first tasks this year was to cover a panel discussing the lasting appeal of the 'Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon' game, featuring the man himself, with guest appearances from Felicia Day (Buffy The Vampire Slayer, The Guild) and Maisie Williams (Game Of Thrones), amongst others. If you don't know the premise of the Six Degrees game (where on earth have you been these past two decades?!), it basically revolves around the notion that Kevin Bacon, being the prolific actor that he is, can be linked to any other actor, living or dead, through their film or TV roles in six steps or less. In simpler times, before we depended on the internet for absolutely everything, this game was a great way for movie buffs to show off their encyclopedic film knowledge. Nowadays, of course, you can cheat - check out The Oracle of Bacon website and marvel at how surprisingly difficult it is to find someone that can't be connected to Kevin Bacon in just two steps or less.

Going into this panel, I was a little skeptical of how much mileage they could get from such a topic, but the whole event was surprisingly entertaining and informative. For instance, did you know that Bacon originally hated the game when he first heard about it because he thought it was making a mockery of him? Or that the game led to him starting his own charitable organization, SixDegrees.org? Apparently the website has already raised over five million dollars for various charities. Not too shabby, Kevin.

Lauren & Tanner's Wedding

Mon, 10 Feb 2014 04:13:00 GMT

Lauren and Tanner's wedding was a treat for me for so many reasons. For starters, their reception was way out in far West Texas, in a little town called Alpine. Even just driving through the desert to get there felt like something out of a movie for me. It's a part of the country I rarely get to experience. And when the journey includes old-timey diners, ghost towns and questionable gas stations where people give you that "you ain't from around these parts" look, you can't even begin to imagine my delight.

And then of course there was the wedding itself. Lauren and Tanner opted to eschew pretty much every normal wedding tradition in favor of a weekend long party. Everyone had such a great time. For me, even shooting the bride and groom was a different experience. Normally, I just have a small window of time to grab the formal shots right after the ceremony, but with Lauren and Tanner I was able to spend several hours with them before their ceremony, traveling around Alpine and the surrounding desert to get shots in all kinds of different locations - a baseball field, a train station, the middle of a deserted highway, even the tour bus of cult country music star Dale Watson (who not only performed at their reception, but officiated their actual wedding ceremony, too). I got so many great shots I couldn't possibly include them all here, but below are some of my favorites.

Madisons at The Parish

Fri, 31 Jan 2014 20:34:00 GMT

It's been quite a while since Madisons last graced this humble blog, but the band has certainly been gaining momentum over the past year. The crowds keep getting bigger and bigger with every performance, and deservedly so. This show at The Parish marked their first of 2014, and they're off to a cracking start. I love The Parish as a venue, both as a photographer and as a music fan. The sound and lighting are always absolutely top notch.

"Shut up about lighting, Richard," I hear you say. "Where can I find out more about this intriguing band?" Here, check out their website and their Facebook page.

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Karl Morgan at One-2-One Bar

Thu, 30 Jan 2014 21:54:00 GMT

The extremely talented and sexily-voiced Karl Morgan has been a staple of the Austin blues scene for quite some time now. Karl is moving on to bigger and better things, however, so tonight's farewell show was a wonderful, yet bittersweet occasion.

I don't think anyone could deny that he went out on a high note. Joined on stage by collaborators past and present, Karl played to a packed house and was on top form throughout the night. In all my years of concert photography it also marked the first time I'd ever seen someone actually throw their underwear at the stage (their bra landing squarely on Karl's head, no less). I'd like to think Karl is pleased he got to experience something that people who aren't Tom Jones rarely get to experience.

Vine House at Hole In The Wall

Fri, 20 Dec 2013 17:49:00 GMT

I'd shot a Vine House show a few months ago at the Bat Bar on 6th Street in Austin. I'd had a great time, and so I was delighted to get the chance to see them again, this time at the Hole In The Wall, one of Austin's oldest music venues.

Chris & Kendra's Wedding

Sat, 02 Nov 2013 22:58:00 GMT

When driving into the town of Sisterdale, Texas for the first time, the words "quaint" and "rustic" immediately spring to mind. It's a lovely little town, and the Sisterdale Dance Hall is a perfect location for a wedding.

I also don't think I could've asked for a nicer bride and groom than Chris and Kendra. Very few couples seem as comfortable in each other's company or are as relaxed in front of camera as they were. I got a lot of shots that I'm really proud of and because of them it all felt so effortless.

You can also check out some of the photo booth pictures from the wedding here.

Chris & Kendra's Wedding - The Photo Booth

Fri, 01 Nov 2013 23:43:00 GMT

I had such a good time shooting Chris and Kendra's wedding (the shots from which you can see here), and the photo booth was no exception.

We didn't have space for our usual set up, so we made do with a wooden fence just outside the dance hall. I've said it before, but I love how silly people immediately become when you stick them in front of a camera with a plastic hat and a fake mustache.

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Six Months Old!

Wed, 16 Oct 2013 15:59:00 GMT

I can't believe my daughter is six months old already...

Vine House at Bat Bar

Mon, 02 Sep 2013 04:37:00 GMT

Let me just start off by saying say what a nice bunch of blokes Vine House are. I really enjoyed their show at the Bat Bar.

This was my first time shooting at this venue, and what I immediately liked was the fact that the back of the stage is a window that opens out on to 6th Street. I really appreciated being able to shoot into the bar from the street, as it gave me a perspective I don't normally get when doing this kind of photography.

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Scotland (in Black and White)

Fri, 02 Aug 2013 03:33:00 GMT

The first thing they teach you in landscape photography school is that you should shoot at sunrise or sunset whenever possible, and unless you've got some decent cloud cover you should avoid shooting in the middle of the day. The light is usually too harsh at this time and your photos can end up a bit washed-out looking. On my recent trip back home to Scotland I had great intentions of getting up at the crack of dawn every day to go out and get some fantastically-lit landscape shots. Then I remembered that the crack of dawn during Scottish summertime is at effin' four o'clock in the morning. I failed spectacularly.

If truth be told, though, seeing my friends and family was my main priority while back home. Photography kind of got put on the back burner most of the time. I ended up having to grab my shots whenever I could get them, regardless of time of day. To combat that washed-out look, I converted some of my daytime shots to high contrast black and white (see the color ones here). I liked the effect so much that I ended up converting a lot more of my pictures, even the sunset ones.

Scott Monument, Edinburgh EdinburghShot from the stairwell of the Scott Monument. EdinburghShot from the top of the Scott monument.

Scotland

Thu, 01 Aug 2013 02:25:00 GMT

This summer we spent a month in Scotland so that my ever-so-lovely parents could spend some time with their ever-so-lovely new granddaughter.

It's been nearly seven years since I lived in Scotland, but as time passes my appreciation for the country only increases. I love going back. I'm sometimes regretful that I didn't get serious about photography at an earlier age, as there are some stunning locations just mere minutes away from the house I grew up in.

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Cathryn & Raleigh's Wedding

Sat, 01 Jun 2013 01:59:00 GMT

By the Gulf of Mexico, between the towns of Port Aransas and Aransas Pass. This was a cool place to have a wedding. The water, the venue, the decor - it was all just beautiful. It was a challenging shoot for me because of yet another insanely large wedding party, but once again I think I lucked out with the members of said wedding party. Everyone was so fun and laid back. Maybe even a little too laid back, if the photo I have of all the groomsmen mooning the camera is anything to go by...

New Arrival!

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 21:18:00 GMT

I'm not usually one to post personal pictures on this blog, but I'm too stupidly excited to not post this one. This is my new baby girl, who arrived this month. Ain't she cute?

SXSW 2013 - Saturday Showcase at the Central Presbyterian Church

Sun, 17 Mar 2013 04:59:00 GMT

Last day of the SXSW music festival, and I felt so fortunate to be shooting at the Central Presbyterian Church. SXSW is the only time of year when this place becomes a music venue. The rest of the year it just does regular old churchy stuff. And it's a shame there aren't more music venues like this because the acoustics are incredible (for me, the only other Austin venue that rivals it is The Parish). I honestly don't think any of the acts tonight (Dustin Wong, WALL., The Milk Carton Kids, Devendra Banhart or Iron and Wine) could have sounded any better live.

This event was a highlight of the festival for me in so many ways. For one, it was just such a unique place to shoot a concert in. Visually interesting, certainly, but what I found particularly unusual was the effect it had on the audience. They displayed a kind of hushed reverence throughout the night, even to the point where there was complete silence during the bands' sound checks. If you're not a concert-goer, that might not mean much to you, but you can take it from me it never happens. There's always at least a bit of audience chatter, so for there to be times when there was absolutely none was just a weird thing to witness.

Because this was a relatively low-key, subdued event, I also had the opportunity to talk to people a bit more than I usually do, too. It was great chatting with some of the punters, and the church staff and event staff could not have been nicer or more accommodating. It made a hell of a difference.

Topping it all off, though, were some stellar performances by some top-notch talent. Opening act Dustin Wong just might have been my musical highlight of the entire festival. Armed with an electric guitar and array of effects pedals, he stacks loops on top of loops to staggering effect. Later in the night, The Milk Carton Kids were also a pleasantly surprising discovery. Closing your eyes, you could almost believe you were listening to Simon and Garfunkel (although as a male acoustic folk duo with a knack for vocal harmonies, maybe that's a default comparison). Rounding off the evening were indie-folk heavyweights Devendra Banhart and Iron and Wine. I was stupidly excited to see these guys perform and they certainly didn't disappoint. Impeccable.

SXSW 2013 - Mass Appeal Presents: Ice Cream Social at Austin Music Hall

Sat, 16 Mar 2013 04:59:00 GMT

When I shot at the Austin Music Hall last year I was covering the Austin Music Awards (where Bruce Springsteen made a surprise appearance, much to my complete and utter excitement). This year was very different. The music awards had come and gone earlier in the week, and tonight was all about hip-hop. Although this was not my first time to shoot a hip-hop showcase, the challenges remained much the same - mainly microphones and baseball caps obscuring the performers' faces. To add to this, because some of the acts were pretty high profile (particularly Pusha T, Bun B and Kendrick Lamar), the photographers' pit at the front of the stage was absolutely jam-packed.

The full line-up was as follows: Nylo, Emilio Rojas, Alexander Spit, Rockie Fresh, Roc Marciano, A$AP FERG, Bun B, Pusha T and Kendrick Lamar.

SXSW 2013 - Diamond Rings at The Main

Sat, 16 Mar 2013 04:38:00 GMT

While making my way to The Main to catch Diamond Rings' set, camera gear slung round my shoulders, I was approached by a somewhat disheveled man claiming that the rapper T.I. was his nephew. The man went on to explain that T.I. would be pulling up in his car shortly, and if I wanted to follow him down what looked to be a rather secluded alleyway, I would be able to get some great shots. As much as I would like to believe that international megastar rappers just hang around in alleyways while their uncles round up wandering photographers, I had to decline, but I thanked the gentleman for his kind offer. And that's the story of how I met Austin's most ineffectual yet commendably optimistic mugger.

But on to Diamond Rings, the stage name of Canadian musician John O'Regan. O'Regan has been steadily gaining popularity over the past few years, becoming well known for his flamboyant, theatrical stage persona. I found him to be an instantly likable performer, because it's clear he really enjoys what he's doing. For me, this is a crucial aspect of any concert, as a photographer but also as an audience member. We've all been to concerts where the band are obviously just going through the motions, and that can be pretty off-putting most of the time. Today, O'Regan was having fun on stage, and his enthusiasm definitely rubbed off on the audience.

SXSW 2013 - NPR's ¡Viva! Alt.Latino Showcase at Auditorium Shores

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 04:59:00 GMT

Day three of the music festival, and it made for a nice change to be shooting outdoors in the sunshine for a while. There were four artists/bands in today's lineup - Jovanotti, Bajofondo, Molotov and Cafe Tacvba. Being a free show I was expecting a large crowd, but I completely underestimated just how popular these acts would be. The audience went nuts.

SXSW 2013 - The Airborne Toxic Event at Buffalo Billiards

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 04:59:00 GMT

Following on from acts such as Hanni El Khatib and Ash, capping off tonight's showcase at Buffalo Billiards was The Airborne Toxic Event. These guys were a definite crowd favorite.

SXSW 2013 - Ash at Buffalo Billiards

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 04:58:00 GMT

Ash hold a special place in my heart. I was a big fan of them as a teenager back in Scotland in the mid-90s. It really was no fault of theirs that they eventually dropped off my radar, as they've apparently been churning out pretty solid material ever since. To be honest I didn't even realize they were still together until I saw their name on the SXSW schedule.

So, I went to tonight's show looking forward to indulging in a little nostalgia, but came away pleasantly surprised at how formidable a live act they still are. Maintaining a frenetic pace throughout, they were highly enjoyable to watch. And, as creepy as it might sound, I could photograph bassist Mark Hamilton all day. He's a lofty chap, and when you combine this with his continual posturing and contorting it makes for some really cool pictures.

SXSW 2013 - Hanni El Khatib at Buffalo Billiards

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 04:57:00 GMT

California's Hanni El Khatib was one of several acts playing the 101X showcase at Buffalo Billiards tonight. He and his band put on an excellent show, and I was grateful for the simple lighting set-up they used. LED lights (especially red and blue lights) can play havoc with a digital camera's sensor, and will often render some photos completely unusable. Yes, it can look cool on stage, but it doesn't always make for a pretty picture. Most of the acts tonight employed LED lighting for most, if not all, of their sets, so it was nice to capture these images without any LED interference.

Thank you, sir. You made my post-processing time just a little less nightmarish.

SXSW 2013 - Cirque Du Soleil at ACL Live at the Moody Theater

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 04:59:00 GMT

Now this was something special. I'd already seen a Cirque Du Soleil show in Las Vegas last year during a road trip, where I instantly became an unabashed fan. Tonight was unique, however, in that it was a one-time performance created specifically for SXSW. Even better, having already secured myself an excellent spot right in front of the stage for the Divine Fits performance earlier in the evening, I was in an ideal place to watch the action. In Vegas, our seats were pretty much right at the back of the auditorium, so this was a big deal for me to get so close.

Although it was a much shorter, condensed version of what a full Cirque Du Soliel performance would usually be, it was no less spectacular. Photographs really can't do justice to the jaw-dropping acrobatics on display, especially during the grand finale. I don't think I've ever seen or heard an audience erupt into applause so enthusiastically or joyously.

SXSW 2013 - Divine Fits at ACL Live at the Moody Theater

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 04:58:00 GMT

Moving on from the Interactive Awards at the downtown Hilton, I headed to the Moody Theater, which is where all of the Austin City Limits performances are normally filmed. The number of legendary acts that have played here is staggering, and tonight I was going to be witnessing a special Cirque Du Soleil performance. Before that though, I got to see Divine Fits, a supergroup comprised of members from some of my other favorite bands (namely Britt Daniel of Spoon and Dan Boeckner of Wolf Parade). I like shooting in venues like this because the lighting is always so good, and I think I managed to get some fairly atmospheric shots.

SXSW 2013 - Interactive Awards

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 04:57:00 GMT

It's that time of year again when SXSW completely takes over Austin. Today marked the end of the interactive portion of the festival, and I was covering the awards ceremony. Photographically speaking, it perhaps wasn't the most exciting of events, but it was surprisingly entertaining and the Hilton's Grand Ballroom at least made for a comfortable shoot.

Texas bluegrass band The Austin Steamers got the proceedings started, after which we were introduced to our emcee for the evening, comedian Aisha Tyler. Tyler has had a long and varied TV and movie career, and although I've never seen it I understand she is most famous for her role in the show Ghost Whisperer. I, however, mainly know her as the voice of Agent Lana Kane in the animated show Archer, which I absolutely love (at the time of writing it's streaming on Netflix in the US - check it out now if you haven't already. Its hilarious!). The geeky part of me was quite excited to see her in person, and she certainly didn't disappoint. She was very funny. And also perhaps a bit drunk.

Another notable guest at the event was danah boyd (the lack of capital letters in her name is intentional), who was being inducted into the SXSW Interactive Hall of Fame. I will freely admit that I have very limited knowledge of the big names in the tech world, but boyd is apparently extremely influential. Her list of job titles alone is enough to impress - Senior Researcher at Microsoft Research, Research Assistant Professor in Media, Culture, and Communication at New York University, Visiting Researcher at Harvard Law School and Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of New South Wales. I was able to get a few good shots of her as she mingled with other guests. Luckily for me she was very easy to spot, wearing a newsprint coat and a giant furry hat.

Troy & Deena's Wedding

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 02:51:00 GMT

A few months ago I posted shots from the quasi-photo booth we set up at Troy and Deena's wedding, but here are some photos from the actual wedding itself.

October in Texas is a perfect time for a wedding, and Troy and Deena picked a gorgeous spot in the hill country to have their ceremony and reception. The bridal party was absolutely huuuuuuge, which made for quite a challenge when it came time for the formal shots. However, the couple themselves were so relaxed and laid-back and it made the whole day's shooting all the more pleasant and fun.

Nowherebound at Elysium

Sun, 02 Dec 2012 03:00:00 GMT

Christopher Klinck and Natchet Taylor, from Austin punk bands Born To Lose and New Disaster respectively, formed the primarily acoustic Nowherebound in 2010. I'd seen New Disaster play a bunch of times over the past few years, but this was my first time to see Nowherebound in action. It was at first a bit disconcerting to see Taylor perched on a bar stool with his acoustic guitar and harmonica, having ditched his usual cocky frontman swagger, but I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this performance. Klinck's vocals instantly reminded me of The Pogues, which can never be a bad thing.

Jens Lekman at Mohawk

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 00:49:00 GMT

Jens Lekman is a Swedish musician, renowned for his quirky, witty lyrics. His command of English is impeccable, and it's not even his first language.

I've been a fan of Lekman since becoming hooked on his song Black Cab years and years and years ago (it's still featured in my regular playlists to this day, in fact). However, I'd never seen him perform before and I wasn't actually sure what to expect from his live show. I certainly was not disappointed. Choosing to play his most recent album in its entirety before dedicating the second half of his set to some classics from his back catalog, Lekman has an effortless, affable kind of charm that wins the audience over in no time at all. I can't imagine anyone left this show feeling anything other than all warm and fuzzy inside.

A Halloween Wedding Reception

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 05:00:00 GMT

I love Halloween. Love it. And one of my absolute favorite things about the United States is the sheer, unwavering enthusiasm that people seem to have for celebrating it. You go for the gusto, my American chums, and I salute you for it.

You can imagine my delight, then, when I got the call to shoot a Halloween-themed wedding reception for Erin and Alex. I had first met Erin when she was a bridesmaid at a wedding earlier this year, a wedding which was actually the subject of my very first blog post on this site. Anyway, she and Alex were married in the summer, and I'm not sure if it was their intention all along to have a Halloween wedding reception, or if it just transpired that way because of the date. Either way, I now kind of wish that all wedding receptions were Halloween-themed. It was fantastic.

I can't even begin to describe how amazing the place looked. Dry ice in the hot-tub, skeletons in the swimming pool, gravestones and cobwebs everywhere. The bar was even serving pumpkin-pie martinis. As a lover of all things Halloweeny, I couldn't have envisioned a better party.

Troy and Deena's Wedding - The Photo Booth

Sat, 27 Oct 2012 19:55:00 GMT

Troy and Deena are one of the loveliest couples you are ever likely to meet, and I had the distinct pleasure of being their wedding photographer. The wedding photos are coming soon, but for now I thought I'd share some of the pictures from the photo booth we set up.

I love manning the photo booth (and I'm playing a bit fast and loose with the term "photo booth" here. It's just me with a camera, a white backdrop and some lights). It doesn't matter if you're young or old, male or female, good or evil - once you don a red feather boa and a plastic viking hat, you lose all inhibitions in front of the camera. Watching gran and grandad pretend to threaten each other with plastic swords never fails to amuse me.

Jonnie & Brookie at the Freeman Coliseum

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 04:51:03 GMT

I've shot many a band in my time. I love shooting concerts. It's certainly not the easiest form of photography, but it can be one of the most rewarding. I've shot rock bands, rappers, DJs, electronic acts, vaudevillian musical ensembles. I wasn't really ever expecting to add "teen pop girl duos" to that list, so I was kind of surprised when Jonnie and Brookie asked me to shoot their performance at the Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio earlier this month. It was part of something called GirlExpo, an event celebrating 100 years of the Girl Scouts (my knowledge of which is strictly limited to the wonderful, wonderful cookies they sell. Caramel DeLites may in fact be the greatest things ever created by anyone, ever, in the history of time).

Jonnie and Brookie are sisters from Arizona who have been performing since they were little kids. Like many teen girl acts, they perform songs about boys, how they don't need the aforementioned boys, or occasionally that they do in fact miss the boys and want them back. Unlike a lot of teen acts, however, Jonnie and Brookie write their own songs and play their own instruments. Kudos. They won Radio Disney's Next Big Thing competition in 2009, and it looks like they've been garnering a pretty sizable fan base ever since. Both Jonnie and Brookie along with their backing band were great fun to shoot, and clearly the hundreds and hundreds of Girl Scouts going absolutely bonkers had a good time too.

Ashley

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 03:09:36 GMT

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting the lovely Ashley for a photo shoot downtown. Ashley is a local artist, and having seen quite a large chunk of her portfolio I can tell you she's a very good one (she has her own little store online, which you can check out here). She's also an all-round good sport, as we ended up trekking to as many downtown locations as we could cram in before the sun went down. This was back when the evenings were still kind of miserably humid, but this didn't deter Ashley, no sir. I always appreciate working with people with such unwavering enthusiasm, and it made the shoot a lot of fun.

Desgraciados by Madisons

Fri, 28 Sep 2012 01:31:00 GMT

What you're looking at here is the cover for Desgraciados, the debut album by Madisons (artwork by Sergio A. Soto). If you've had a gander at this blog before, you may already be aware that I love Madisons with an almost embarrassing intensity. Like those women in their forties who still obsess over Twilight, you'd think there was something wrong with me.

I have had the pleasure of shooting Madisons time and time again. For those who don't know, they are an Austin band in the indie-folk / folk-rock genre. The members of their seemingly ever-expanding lineup play a multitude of instruments, including acoustic guitar, electric guitar, upright bass, violin, banjo, pedal steel, trumpet, harmonica and all kinds of percussion (including a washboard and a home-made stomp-box). And I've said it before and I'll say it again, frontman Dominic Solis has one sexy, sexy voice.

"How can I get my hands on this wonderful new album?" you ask? Well, as it turns out, very easily. If you go here, you can stream and/or download the whole thing for free. For free! To new or casual listeners, I would recommend checking out opening track "Sweetwater," the crowd pleasing live favorite "Hold," or the closing track "Flying Car," which you can also listen to below. Featuring vocals over just an acoustic guitar and violin, it's certainly their most mellow song (it's never included in their raucous live shows), but it's pretty gorgeous and definitely worth a listen.

Steve Syx & Syxgun at Ruta Maya

Sat, 08 Sep 2012 00:32:00 GMT

This monochrome set of Steve Syx and his band was taken at Ruta Maya Cafe in Austin, which I believe has actually moved to a new location since these photos were taken a few weeks ago. It was a cool space for live music, and there were good opportunities for some interesting camera angles (some of my favorite shots of Steve were taken peeking out from a curtain behind the stage). I don't know what will be replacing Ruta Maya, if anything, but I hope it stays a music venue.

As for Steve and the boys, although you guys only get to see the moody black and white shots, I can tell you that they are musicians that clearly enjoy what they do. It's always a pleasure for me to shoot performers that are having a good time on stage.

Chris & Dee Dee's Wedding

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 23:31:00 GMT

Chris and Dee Dee had their wedding at the very lovely Plantation House in Pflugerville. It's a really nice venue for a wedding, and my deepest gratitude goes to the bride and groom for keeping the outdoor ceremony short and sweet on such a blisteringly hot August day! Chris and Dee Dee were such a great couple, and I think everyone enjoyed themselves immensely. Their wedding also marked the first time I'd ever seen a flash mob in person, and not just on some grainy YouTube video. Good times!

Kittens

Fri, 10 Aug 2012 04:55:00 GMT

Until I got married, I led a relatively cat-free existence. Ever since my wife came along, though, my life has become whatever the opposite of cat-free is. Catful? Anyway, five years ago I considered myself strictly a dog person, and I would've scoffed at the idea of the thirty-two year old me being a cat owner. I'd always kind of dismissed cats as selfish creatures with somewhat of an evil streak. Well, time has passed, and I can say without any hesitation that my preconceptions were absolutely spot on. If I wasn't the one who fed my two cats or scooped their litter boxes I'm pretty sure they'd have worked out some way to murder me by now. But I have to grudgingly admit that they have a lot more personality than I initially gave them credit for. You might say I've grown rather fond of them, a fondness that still remains even when I come home to find that they've crapped in the houseplants. The twenty seven-year old me would hate me.

But on to some actual pictures. Being an elementary school teacher, my wife has summers off, and she'll sometime foster kittens for Austin Pets Alive! (a nonprofit organization dedicated to keeping Austin a "no-kill" city), giving them a home and keeping them fed until they are old enough to be adopted by new owners. These little guys were only eight weeks old, and stupidly cute. You can claim to be a dog person as much as you like, but it's impossible not to be smitten by a bunch of kittens. And if you're not, then what are you? Some kind of soulless empty husk of a human being? Get off my blog! Weirdo.

Road Trip

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 06:47:16 GMT

This summer, my wife and I took a road trip through the southwest USA. Our journey took us through New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and Arizona. I've lived in the US for nearly four years now, but this is the first opportunity I've had to travel extensively and really see some of the country. Despite the fairly grueling 4000-mile round trip, I'm glad we drove. It's pretty amazing how quickly and dramatically the landscape changes between states (or sometimes even just within one state), and I doubt we would have been able to appreciate this as much had we flown.

Below are a few shots from the trip. The scenery was spectacular almost everywhere we went, but most of my favorite shots came from Moab in Utah. While I don't think I'll be posing a threat to the National Geographic photographers just yet, I'm pleased with the images I came away with. I would've loved to have spent more time there. And also Las Vegas, but that's more for my crippling poker addiction. I kid, I kid, although I did take part in my first ever live poker tournament while I was there. I made it to the final table and got third place. I didn't win that much (which didn't stop me feeling like James Bond, incidentally) but it did cover the cost of two Cirque Du Soleil tickets. We saw the original Mystère show, and I'll be honest, I wanted to hate it. I had always thought it would just be a bunch of pretentious dancing, but I absolutely loved it. Seriously, go see it. Turns out there's not much dancing at all. Instead, it's a bunch of very talented acrobats doing very dangerous things very high up. I think I actually gasped at one point. I never gasp.

Mollie and Family

Sun, 01 Jul 2012 23:51:03 GMT

This is the cover for the upcoming children's book Mama's Tomatoes by Mollie Deeb. I recently had the pleasure of shooting Mollie's head shot for the book, and what a great shoot it was. We got a whole bunch of good images, and I've put a couple of my favorites below. Mollie was able to show me a few of her illustrations for the book, and I have to say I'm a big fan of the art style. What I love about it is that it's very non-stereotypical for something aimed at kids. It really stands out. I think this is going to be a very cool little book.

As if being a talented writer and illustrator wasn't enough, Mollie also has an unbelievably cute family. After we had finished with the head shots, the rest of the Deeb clan joined in, and again we got some great shots out of it. I was particularly impressed with the kids, who were just so relaxed and comfortable throughout. Coupled with the aforementioned-cuteness, it made my job almost too easy.

Madisons CD Release Party at Frank

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 01:13:05 GMT

My love for this band is already well documented on this blog. At this point you'd actually think I'd be sick of them, but if anything I reckon I enjoy their shows even more now than I used to. Their performance at Frank was no exception. It's a very cool little venue, the crowd was more than up for it, and the band itself was on top form. The CDs being given away were only demos (even the demos are awesome!), but I've been told that their debut album proper will officially be released within the next few months. I can guarantee you I'll be first in line.

Madisons at Frank, Austin, TX

White Ghost Shivers at Antone's

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 03:23:37 GMT

This weekend I had the privilege of shooting Austin's own White Ghost Shivers, who I've briefly mentioned before on this blog when they picked up the prize in the "Best None Of The Above" category at the Austin Music Awards.

What can I say about White Ghost Shivers? I've seen quite a few bands in my time. I've seen Daft Punk live in Tokyo. I've seen REM play at Stirling Castle in Scotland back when I was REM-obsessed like no other. I've had Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips zip past my head in a giant hamster ball. All of these have been amazing spectacles in their own right, but gosh darn it, compared to a White Ghost Shivers show I've just never had so much damn fun at a concert.

If I tell you that White Ghost Shivers lift their style from the jazz and swing music of the 1920s and 30s, you would be forgiven for picturing some kind of whimsical tribute act paying homage a simpler time. That couldn't be further from the truth. A White Ghost Shivers show is a raucously good time from start to finish. Armed with an arsenal of ridiculously catchy tunes, there's plenty of swearing, dancing, beat boxing (weirdly enough), and even thinly-veiled lyrics about genitalia. Whimsical it most certainly isn't. I can guarantee that this is the only place where you'll see a slide-whistle solo met with rapturous applause. I didn't realize a slide-whistle solo was even a thing.

If all this weren't enough, the level of talent of each and every band member is astounding. I myself am actually trying to learn piano at the moment, and watching the WGS pianist in action I can only assume that a pact was made with the devil at some point.

White Ghost Shivers have been around for a while now, and I admit I'm kind of late to the party. If you haven't had a chance to see them live yet I thoroughly recommend that you do. There's simply just no one else like them.

Madisons at Viva Streets!

Wed, 23 May 2012 21:07:51 GMT

I went downtown to the Viva Streets festival this weekend, an event that invited people to "bicycle, play, get fit, people watch, and celebrate good health." While these are all undeniably noble pursuits, I was only there to see Madisons play. I have banged on about these guys before, but I just can't stress enough how stupendously wonderful they are. And they are living proof that no band should be without a stomp-box.

Anyway, I'm limiting myself to just one photo from their Viva Streets set, lest this become some kind of unofficial Madisons blog (they have their own, and it's arguably more well-written). This picture is of frontman, Dominic Solis.

And as an aside, while everyone was out "celebrating good health" at Viva Streets, I got sunburned. Thanks, Madisons.

SXSW 2012 - Saturday Night Showcase at the Jacked Stage

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 23:11:16 GMT

Day five, continued, and my final assignment for SXSW.

The lineup:

Turquoise Jeep
Chappo
Run DMT
White Denim
!!!

As I've mentioned in previous posts, the life of a concert photographer is seldom a comfortable one. I have to say, though, this was quite a cushy gig. For starters, the chap at the front gate was kind enough to give me a wristband allowing me access to the lounge, so I was able to get food and drinks and somewhere to go to relax between performances. In addition, I had access to the photographers' pit for the first two songs of every act, so there was no need to jostle for a decent position.

The stage itself was built like a giant Doritos vending machine. If you were downtown during SXSW you probably found it towering over you at some point. This place had been completely packed the previous night because of a surprise appearance by Snoop Dogg. Tonight it was slightly less crowded, but still busy nonetheless.

First up, Turquoise Jeep. I'm not quite sure how to describe these guys. They're definitely a parody band, but they play it completely straight. They have all the choreographed dance moves you'd normally associate with a boyband (albeit with a lot more gyrating than usual), but their lyrics are definitely much more risqué. It's all very much tongue-in-cheek (sample lyric - "How you like your eggs? Fried or fertilized?").

After each band had finished their set, they were ushered to a little Maxim / Doritos booth in the lounge, where they were interviewed by a somewhat cartoonishly-proportioned young lady. This was all being filmed, so I assume it was maybe for the Maxim website.

Next up, Chappo.

Before a showcase, if I can, I like to do a bit of research on the bands I'm going to see. In this case, I had become addicted to the song "Come Home" by Chappo, and I was looking forward to seeing them.

I really like the photos I got from their set. Frontman Alex Chappo is another true showman.

When it came time for the Maxim interview, it dawned me that no one was looking at the interviewer directly. I can only assume they didn't want to be caught on film staring at her cleavage.

Just for the record, everyone she interviewed failed in the end, but Alex Chappo is the only one I caught on camera trying to catch a sneaky glance. This photograph below makes me laugh.

Third act of the night, Austin's very own Run DMT.

On camera, DJ sets can often look quite underwhelming, but I think the excellent lighting helped a lot here.

Every Maxim interview had a cringe-worthy moment where our busty interviewer friend would get the interviewees to give their opinions on a new Doritos flavor that they were trying to promote (Doritos were sponsoring the whole event, after all). Pretty much every musician looked suitably horrified when they they were asked to do this, but Run DMT took it in their stride like champs.

The penultimate act of the night were another Austin band, White Denim.

There's been a lot of hype surrounding these guys for a while now, and there was clearly a lot of people excited to see them.

And finally, !!!.

I'd actually seen !!! at a music festival in Japan about five years ago, but I was so far away from the stage I didn't really see what was going on. If I had, I would have realized that Nic Offer is the world's most insanely energetic frontman. The guy is just some kind of relentless dancing machine, whether he's gyrating away at the front of the stage or thrusting his way through the audience (which he did several times throughout the set). A genuine crowd-pleaser, and a great way to cap off the festival.

Until next year!

SXSW 2012 - Madisons at Betsy's Bar

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:28:34 GMT

Day five! It's the final stretch.

Before my last official assignment for SXSW kicked off, I went to see Madisons play at Betsy's Bar. I do think I need to remember that this is a photography blog, and not just some forum for me to waffle on about bands that I love. But I do love Madisons so very, very much, so to hell with photo-blog conventions.

Madisons are an excellent indie folk-rock band from right here in Austin. They are currently an eight-piece, although their lineup seems to be continually expanding. I'm half expecting them to be a seventeen-piece by the summer. I could go on and on about the incredibly skilled musicians in the band, the fantastic arrangements, or frontman Dominic Solis' sexy, sexy voice, but I suppose all you need to know is that Madisons write and perform some absolutely cracking tunes. Their Betsy's show was a blast, and the crowd loved them.

Judging from their live set, I don't think there's going to be a single dud track on their new album, which I'm reliably informed will be out within the next few months. Check 'em out!

http://www.madisonsatx.com

SXSW 2012 - 18th Floor at the Hilton Garden Inn Showcase

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 02:19:29 GMT

Day four, and my assignment was a showcase on the 18th floor of the Hilton Garden Inn.

The lineup:

The Abramson Singers
Doe Paoro
Delta Rae
Chrysta Bell
Busby Marou
Luluc
The Spring Standards

Compared to previous nights this was a much more subdued affair, and I kind of loved that. I've always jokingly tried to perpetuate my image as a rock 'n' roll photographer (and was sadly talked out of making business cards describing myself as such), but by this stage in the festival I just hurt. All over. I could scarcely conceal my delight upon arriving at the 18th floor to find carpet, chairs, and air conditioning on full blast.

Of all the artists in the lineup the only one that I had previously been aware of was Chrysta Bell, and this was because of her involvement in the soundtrack for the David Lynch film Inland Empire. The song 'Polish Poem' is just absolutely lovely.

Anyway, her connection to David Lynch was partly the reason I was excited about her appearance. I was informed beforehand that Lynch might be at the show since he produced her most recent album, and if he was I should try to get a shot of him. Being somewhat of a David Lynch fan (I particularly love Twin Peaks and Mulholland Drive), I was anxious to see if he would turn up.

He didn't. And now all I have is an anti-climactic and quite frankly terrible story to tell about it.

But not to worry. Chrysta Bell put on a great performance, and I think she may be the sexiest musician I've ever shot. And this is coming from the person who got to shoot Bruce Springsteen mere days before - a man who is literally twice my age (but annoyingly still a million times more handsome).

SXSW 2012 - Audible Treats Hip-Hop Showcase at Kiss & Fly

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 04:33:45 GMT

Day three...continued.

I didn't have much time to recuperate from the NPR day party before it was time to head out to my official assignment for the evening - the Audible Treats hip-hop showcase at Kiss & Fly.

The (extensive) lineup:

THEESatisfaction
SL Jones
Boldy James
Mistah F.A.B.
Roach Gigz
A.Dd+
L.E.P Bogus Boys
Flatbush Zombies
Moe Green
Georgia Anne Muldrow
Dudley Perkins
Talib Kweli
Souls of Mischief

Hip-hop shows, in my humble opinion, represent a special challenge for the concert photographer. For one thing, rappers almost constantly have their microphones right up at their faces. I also see a lot of performers wearing baseball caps and sunglasses. Any one or combination of these things can make for a lot of face obscuration, and it's sometimes hard to get a compelling shot. There's not a lot I can do about hats and glasses, but if I can I like to get as far to the side of the stage as possible so I'm not shooting head-on.

Despite these difficulties, I really enjoyed the whole showcase. Standouts for me included A.Dd+ (rappers from Dallas, of all places) and L.E.P Bogus Boys, whose performances were infused with such an insane amount of passion and energy. They were all clearly having a ball on stage, and it didn't take long for the crowd to get swept along with them. Talib Kweli was another high point (and the only artist I was previously aware of going into this showcase). He's just a ridiculously charismatic guy, and he had the audience in the palm of his hand for his entire set. A real showman. However, the absolute highlight of the evening (and perhaps the highlight of the entire festival) for me was Mistah F.A.B. He'd already won the crowd over with a very quirky and playful stage presence, but he then proceeded to show everyone why he's known as the "Freestyle King" in his native California. He asked the audience to hold up objects, anything that they happened to have on them, and using these objects as inspiration he began to freestyle at great speed for several minutes without missing a single beat. It was jaw-droppingly good. I'll admit that I was waving my camera in the air in rather a deranged fashion, but Mistah F.A.B. didn't spot it. It's a shame. I really wanted to add "Richard McBlane and his camera have inspired great rap lyrics" to my bio.

SXSW 2012 - NPR Day Party at The Parish

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 22:00:00 GMT

Day three!

Already I was beginning to suffer a bit from a lack of sleep, and my shoulders and back were killing me from having to lug heavy camera gear around everywhere (curse you, telephoto lens!). But that didn't matter, for today The Magnetic Fields were playing.

I've been a big, big fan of The Magnetic Fields for many years now, but this was the first time I was going to get to see them live, headlining the NPR Day Party at the Parish. The Magnetic Fields have never really achieved mainstream success, but they have a huge cult following, and I would say that they were a pretty big deal for SXSW. The massive line outside the venue only confirmed this.

This was the lineup:

La Vida Boheme
Sugar Tongue Slim
Polica
Lower Dens
The Magnetic Fields

It was certainly an eclectic mix of bands, and it made for an interesting show. The Magnetic Fields themselves were excellent. Visually, they weren't perhaps the most dynamic band I've ever shot (they eschewed the dramatic lighting that accompanied all of the previous bands, and frontman Stephen Merritt looks like he could be giving a lecture in most of my photos), but musically you'd be hard-pressed to find any complaints. Apparently there were even members of the audience moved to tears by the performance.

SXSW 2012 - Austin Music Awards

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 07:02:44 GMT

SXSW Music day two!

My assignment for tonight was the Austin Music Awards at the Austin Music Hall. But we'll get to that in a minute...

I was really excited about today because I got to see one of my new favorite bands, Light Asylum. I've been pretty much obsessed with these guys ever since I heard the song "A Certain Person."

I knew that Light Asylum was playing a bunch of shows during SXSW, but they were all at night when I would be on assignment elsewhere. I was resigned to the fact that I probably wasn't going to see them, and this made me very, very sad. The previous day, I had actually met the photographer who was assigned to one of their shows. He was a lovely chap, but that didn't stop me from cursing his name repeatedly within mere minutes of meeting him. However, it appeared that fate (overlooking my childish, jealous temper tantrums) was smiling upon me. I discovered that Light Asylum were playing a free daytime show at Shangri-La, and all was right with the world again.

Being an outdoor, daytime slot, I think that certain visual elements of Light Asylum's regular live show were missing (lasers, smoke machines, etc.). Nonetheless, Shannon Funchess, their frontwoman, is amazing to watch, and I loved every minute of their set.

OK, on to the Austin Music Awards. Here was the lineup:

Quiet Company
Joe "King" Carrasco and the Crowns
Sixteen Deluxe
Carolyn Wonderland
Ruthie Foster
Christopher Cross
Alejandro Escovedo and the Sensitive Boys

I was looking forward to this assignment for a number of reasons. Firstly, the Austin Music Hall is a big venue, and I had access to the photographers' pit in front of the stage. Most of my assignments for SXSW are in tiny venues, and whenever I'm in front of the stage I'm usually squashed right up against it with the rest of the audience. Having the freedom to move around is a very much appreciated luxury. Secondly, upon my arrival at the venue, I was told that none other than Bruce Springsteen would be making a special guest appearance! I can tell you without any shame or embarrassment, dear reader, that I almost peed my pants with excitement. I am a huge Springsteen fan (to a nearly incontinence-inducing degree, apparently), and here I was, resting my elbows on the very stage he would be performing on.

The night as a whole was fantastic. In between sets, a slew of awards would be given out. Another of my favorite recent discoveries, White Ghost Shivers, won the "Best None of the Above" award. These guys are Austin-based, and they've been around for years now, but they only came to my attention in the last month or so. They play 1920s / 1930s-style swing band music, and they're awesome. If you live in Austin or nearby, I urge you to check them out.

Sadly, they didn't perform, but there was some fine musical talent on display regardless. Bruce Springsteen's appearance was hinted at all night, and he finally showed up towards the end of Alejandro Escovedo's set, which up until that point had already seen an impressive number of guest stars. Springsteen walked on after a request was cheekily made for "one more guitar player," and the whole venue just erupted. He played four songs with the band, including a cover of the Rolling Stones' "Beast of Burden." I went home a happy man.

SXSW 2012 - ONErpm Showcase at the Whiskey Room

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 22:54:45 GMT

SXSW Music 2012 kicks off! My first assignment was the ONErpm showcase at the Whiskey Room on 6th Street. The lineup was as follows:

Candy
Il Abanico
Telebit
Jotdog
Mr. Bleat
Mr. Pauer

All of the musicians hailed from either Colombia or Mexico. Now I'll be the first to admit, I'm not hip to the Colombian or Mexican music scene in any way, but this is one of the reasons I love SXSW so much - it's easy to get exposed to music you wouldn't normally get exposed to. This was a fun night.

Gearing Up For SXSW

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 02:01:25 GMT

SXSW (South By Southwest if you're saying it out loud, but usually just referred to as "South By") is upon us again. For those of you reading this who might not be familiar with it, it's basically a massive ten day event that's held in Austin every March. It's split into three main components - SXSW Interactive, SXSW Film and SXSW Music. Roughly a gazillion people descend on Austin for the festival and the town remains in utter chaos for the duration.

Last year, I was fortunate enough to be selected to be part of the SXSW photography crew as a music photographer. This year I've been selected again, the lucky bugger that I am.

SXSW started out as a small music festival for industry insiders. It was where bands would go to hopefully get discovered by record labels. Whenever I hear criticism aimed at SXSW, it's usually that it's an "industry event" and not really for music fans. While this may have been true at one point, I would argue that it's definitely not the case anymore. The atmosphere downtown is absolutely electric while the music festival is going on. Every bar and restaurant is packed to the rafters, there are street performers on every corner, and even if you don't have a wristband or badge you can catch a free show at any time of the day. You could have a fantastic time during SXSW without spending a single penny.

I got assigned to some really cool showcases last year and got some great shots, a few of which I've already included in my music gallery on this site. When I wasn't covering a performance, though, I'd wander around town for hours, soaking up the ambiance and snapping a few pictures here and there. I'd thought I'd share some of my favorites...

Addison's 1st Birthday

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 00:35:26 GMT

I don't think these pictures fully do the moment justice, but Addison absolutely went to town on her birthday cake. It was a fantastic sight to see.

You may also notice the abundance of bubbles in one of these pictures. These are being produced by a bubble gun just outside the frame. I don't know about you, but when I was a young lad growing up in the 80s I would have killed for one of those. I had to make do with my tiny plastic stick and small bottle of bubble mixture like some kind of chump. Depending on the quality of said plastic stick, you weren't even guaranteed any bubbles at all. They either popped before becoming fully formed, or the mixture just dribbled pathetically on to your shoes. So while I had fun taking pictures at this party, I did perhaps spend too much time being jealous of the one year old birthday girl...

Sonia's Bachelorette Weekend

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 05:17:22 GMT

I have a piece of trivia for you, international fact fans. If I was back home in Scotland, this would be called a hen weekend.

Shut up. I didn't say it had to be a particularly interesting fact.

But I digress. This weekend, I had the pleasure of shooting the very glamorous Sonia and her friends, who were all in town for Sonia's bachelorette party. I accompanied the ladies as they were chauffeured around Austin in a limo, stopping at various locations along the way. Photographically speaking, it was actually quite challenging. Since it was late at night, we were pretty much in constant darkness, which meant I had to use flash in almost every shot. This can get bothersome for some people very quickly. Kudos, then, to the girls for being absolute champs and taking it all in their stride. I met them again the following night to get some more shots before they went to dinner, and they were equally as gracious. Such an enjoyable shoot...

Before The Wedding

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 02:07:09 GMT

Welcome, gentle reader, to the Richard McBlane Photography blog. I've never blogged before. To be honest with you I'm not entirely sure how to go about it. All I know is that the world has somehow convinced me that it's something I need to be doing. I swear that I actually just had to double check that 'blog' could be used as a verb, lest I sounded like some out of touch grandad who only reads about the internet in newspapers.

So here I am. Blogging away. Let's make my first post a good one...

This weekend our friends Aly and Dustin got married in San Antonio. While I wasn't their official wedding photographer, I was very kindly invited to get some shots of Aly and her bridal party getting ready before the ceremony. Let me tell you, I was in that hotel suite for hours, and there wasn't one single second where I wasn't having a blast. Aly's friends and family are incredible. Each and every one of them was clearly devoted to ensuring that her day went perfectly. Everybody was in high spirits and the atmosphere in the room was so relaxed. It made my job ridiculously easy. I got so many good shots and I'm just sorry that I can't include them all in this one post. Pay particular attention to the photos near the bottom of the page (I've included one from the wedding itself, just for fun). I'm sure you'll agree Aly is quite the stunner. Quite the stunner indeed.

Congratulations Aly and Dustin! Your wedding was awesome.