So, let me just say that 2008 can be summed up best as a year of firsts for me.  In a fervent attempt to further my experience in concert photography I pushed myself to the limit, sometimes at the expense of my social life, to try to hone my skills, create my own style, and get my name out there. 

The results?  I photographed over 150 bands (at least that’s when I stopped counting)  including some of the greats that I never would have dreamed of photographing (The Police, Elvis Costello, Tom Petty, Rush, Nine Inch Nails, Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp & Dave Matthews.) 

I had my first full page published photo in a national music magazine (Alternative Press ), I had a photo published in Rolling Stone Latin America (Joe Perry of Aerosmith), I received my own monthly Photography column (RockShots), and I commissioned a photo to be used as a poster for a signing at NAMM this year.  These were all big wins for me, but it didn’t come easy.

I shot several large festival type shows (Farm Aid, Mahyem Festival, Projekt Revolution, Warped Tour and the first annual Rock the Ink). 

Beyond that I continued to work on my own website (TheyWillRockYou.com) as well as acting as a contributer and writer to Rocknation & The Pulse Magazine.  Between the three I interviewed around 25 bands including Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Linkin Park, Three Doors Down, & was even interviewed myself!

All in all, it was a very fulfilling year, but it only leaves me wanting to do more in 2009.  I’ll be doing a selection of photos to reflect the year in review for my next photography column so as soon as that’s up, I’ll link it here.  Way too much to do, so little time….

The new issue of Rocknation is out on newstands so check it out.  You can see some of my photos from Mayhem Fest as well as an interview with Buckcherry.  You can also check out each issue online here.

To check them out, go to the Rocknation website and from the menu click on Newspaper Online.  It will provide you with a virtual edition of each issue!  Good stuff.  I’ve also included them in my links section.

In the next issue you can check out my interviews with Buckcherry, Papa Roach, along with some live shots!

In this issue, I interviewed members of Finger Eleven and Seether (if I interview one more member of Seether I feel like I should be crowned an honorary member!) as well as assisted on interviews with Puddle of Mudd and Shinedown.  It’s a great issue with lots of amazing interviews.  Unfortunately I don’t think any of my photos made this issue but hopefully the next one will!  (I’ve got some great Iron Maiden shots just waiting!!)

Here’s a link to the online version of it:

Kristina Grossmann – Rock’s Health Angel

Matt Shwachman – A one-way ticket to “Uncharted Territory”

(Scroll down the page until you see it)

In this issue catch my interviews with Chris from 3 Doors Down and Hugo from Tantric.  Both bands are currently on tour so cheeeeeeeeeeeck them out!

If you are unable to find Rocknation you can check out versions of the interviews on TWRY.com here:

Chris Henderson of 3 Doors Down
Hugo Ferreira of Tantric

You can also check it out online here:
Radio America – Making Waves

After some miscommunication at the front door, I ended up missing High on Fire and was unable to shoot them. After that, I settled into the photo pit with about 20+ other photographers. At first this was pretty surprising because I had heard that they weren’t allowing a lot of photographers access to the tour but then I realized that they had coupled Gigantour with this years New England Hardcore and Metalfest so there were several photographers from all over there to cover that.

Megadeth

Job for a Cowboy

Children of Bodom

You can read my review of the show here on TheyWillRockYou.com and check out my photos from the show in the TheyWillRockYou.com photo galleries here.