I could say that my photographic journey began in a whole variety of different places. But if I said it was anything except for live music, I’d be lying. Capturing the emotion and energy that a seasoned enthusiastic band puts out on the stage is second to none. We can complain about lighting, song restrictions, shitty venues, rights grabs, lack of barricades, or board shoots all day long, but if this industry wasn’t as amazing to work in, there wouldn’t be hoards of people wanting to do it for free.
Long story (that will be told over the next couple weeks) short, I’m leaving my hometown of Ottawa, and moving to Banff with my fiance Fay. It’s an incredible opportunity for us, and for me, and I couldn’t be more excited about it. But as with so many good-bye’s, this one is bittersweet. I’ve learned my craft in Ottawa, and I’m going to miss the people, whether they be subjects, mentors, or peers, that have helped me get to where I am today.
Some of my favourites out of that (long) list of people, are the four members of the local rock quartet, Arms of the Girl. One of the hardest working and most enthusiastic bands in the city, they are always a joy to shoot. Carolyn’s infectious on stage energy and relentless smile have been a mainstay of the Ottawa music community as long as I can remember. It’s been a pleasure to watch this band grow and mature over the years, and I am thankful for all of the support they have given me.
There are a few Ottawa bands that hold a special place in my heart, and they are one of them. So happy to sign off with these shots of them. And on a slightly personal note, I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of hearing David Cutler’s solo in “All Up to You”. I still remember the day Steve Foley played (before it’s release!) that for “all the guitar jocks in the room” and I lost my mind. Seriously. It’s akin to Freebird. Go have yourself a listen.
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