#yearinreview: Top 6 Concert Photos of 2018

December 27, 2018 in 2018 in review, Event, Music Photography

Music is always one of the most fun things to photograph! From local artists in bars to musicians known and loved worldwide- there’s just something great about enjoying live music and flashing lights through the tiny viewfinder screen of my camera. Below are a few of my favorite concert photos that I took in 2018.

Hozier at The Fillmore philadelphia

Hozier | Philadelphia, PA | October 3, 2018 | Shot for WXPN

From a mainstream standpoint, this is probably the “biggest” show I’ve shot so far. It was my first time seeing Hozier live- it was a great show and I realized how tall he actually is!

Huffamoose at Ardmore Music Hall

Chris Farr w/Huffamoose | Nov. 24, 2018 | Shot for Winding Way Records

During the summer of 2018 I began doing some photo & video work for Winding Way Records, located in delco. Huffamoose is a local band who was pretty big in the 80’s and just released their first new album since then - on Winding Way records. It was really cool to get the chance to work behind the scenes during this album release and shoot their release shows!

First Aid Kit at Union Transfer

First Aid Kit | Philadelphia, PA | Feb. 10, 2018 | Shot for WXPN

To be honest… First Aid Kit was one of those bands I’ve known for a while and enjoyed their music when I heard it but never really paid much attention to them or seeked them out. With that said, I guess I thought they’d be a cool band to take photos of earlier this year and I was right. This was great show- they are good stage performers and hearing their music live made me enjoy it more than when I would listen to the recordings without experiencing it live.

Lily Allen at Union Transfer

Lily Allen | Philadelphia, PA | October 23, 2018 | Shot for WXPN

I genuinely enjoyed this show.

I was surprised when I saw Lily Allen was at Union Transfer because I figured she could definitely fill bigger venues like The Fillmore. However, I am glad I was able to see her in a smaller place like Union Transfer. My only critictism is that she did her song ‘LDN’ too early (while I was still shooting from the photo pit) so I couldn’t enjoy it as much as I would’ve liked… but I suppose most people wouldn’t have that issue.

Under the Oak at Ardmore Music Hall

Under the Oak | Aug. 31, 2018 | Shot for Winding Way Records

Under the Oak is another band signed to Winding Way Records. I had heard of this band previously but had never actually managed to see them live until this year. They opened for Splintered Sunlight in Ardmore and it was a great set.

This was also my first Splintered Sunlight show.

Glen Hansard at Union Transfer

Glen Hansard | Philadelphia, PA | March25, 2018 | Shot for WXPN

When I first looked at the stage and saw little red lamps set up all over I realized that the stage light use would low. Despite the ultra low light shooting conditions the stage lamps gave the sold out Union Transfer an intimate feeling making this a great show.

Sunday Scenes at the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta

October 29, 2018 in Event

Kelly Drive and the river were taken over by rowers and spectators this past weekend. Falling a week after Head of the Charles (in Boston) Philadelphia holds their own big autumn regatta each year - The Head of the Schuylkill.

The College/University teams (local and non-local) race Saturday, high school teams race Sunday, with lots of masters’ rowers mixed in for fun! Below are photos showing some of what the Sunday scene looks like.

Many rowers like to take advantage of the race being on Halloween weekend by wearing costumes or funny hats…

Navesink River Rowing getting into the Halloween spirit.

Local rowers cheering on teammates on their way to the start.

It can get a little congested with boats…

Best of the 2018 Flower Show

March 20, 2018 in Event

Each year Philadelphians and everyone within day trip distance of Philadelphia go crazy over the Philadelphia Flower Show. After an awesome and stunning show came and went last year, this year's theme is "Wonders of Water".

Upon entering the main space inside the Philadelphia Convention Center you walked into a giant "rainforest". As you continue through the rainforest you see waterfalls of various sizes and colorful flowers.

Off to the side of the rainforest, there was a mock wedding reception set up with everything from the entrance to a decorative "wedding cake". This was definately one of my personal favorite exhibits.

Another awesome exhibit was the giant railroad platform that was set up. This had two trains running in opposite directions on side-by-side tracks, along with a single trolley car navigating its own route. In the middle of all the tracks were beautiful flowers (of course) and various houses, business, vehicles, and people set up to really make it feel like a pleasant village or city.

They had a snowy mountain exhibit which seems pretty simple but as everyone walked through the little "cave" and around the mountain side they saw the surroundings changed a bit. On the one side you see the mountain surrounded by a few colorful trees but walk around to the backside and you'll see a small waterfall running down the mountain!

There were small displays showing interior rooms and outdoor decks decorated in various styles using all kinds of different plants. Below are my three favorite home garden displays.

Each year seems to always include a cactus exhibit and it is always one of my favorites. This year's was laid out very nice and was interesting to look at.

There were some cute and very fancy plant animals in attendance at this year's flower show!

In addition to the main exhibits there are loads of art pieces made by local students and artists. Many of these pieces have won awards but regardless of that some of these art pieces are very cool or beautiful to look at.

And finally there are of course plenty of colorful tulips and other gardens filled with all kinds of flowers!

Summer Concert Series: The Dead Milkmen in Clark Park

July 20, 2017 in Event

Summer is filled with spending days and nights listening to music in a parks. Just about every park that exists in the greater Philadelphia area hosts a weekly summer concert series; to give music geeks a place to go each day of the week.

Earlier in July, The Dead Milkmen headlined the 2017 Clark Park summer festival, playing for hardcore fans and Sunday park-goers alike. See the full photo recap below.