Choirs, Farewells, Weddings and Moonshine ending with the Angels
Here I am at Tuesday and only upon the photographic review of the images I took over the weekend am I now beginning to absorb the raft of experience and emotion that I encountered then. Friday evening until the wee hours of Saturday I was covering a major event in the history of the Loreto College in Normanhurst. Their Principal Dr. Degenhardt retired after 14 years. I have never met this lady before hand and viewed the assignment as a choral competition and farewell and was in awe of the scope of talent and ability that the students possess. What a tremendous showcase the event really was. I was also humbled to learn but a little of this fine principal's work and ceaseless commitment to the students she was responsible for over the previous years. I developed a real appreciation and respect for the love that was evident from her toward those in her charge, and it was reciprocated from them back to her. When the entire audience arose to give her a standing ovation and farewell, the cheers, tears and feelings of admiration and respect were evident. I feel grateful for having been just one of the witnesses of such an event. 'Women in time to come will do much'....Mary Ward 1609. A statement from a woman that Dr. Degenhardt herself took as a role model and has imbued the same beliefs and convictions and helped to foster a great deal of women who can and will do much. The principal is indeed a woman of substance. I was honoured to capture these images.
Then on Saturday I had a wedding for Kate & Derek. What a wonderful couple. I had a lot of fun. It was interesting at first, when I arrived at the grooms home for shots, the video guy was there. Often at these introductory moments there is always, well mostly always, this period of getting to know you between the photographer and videographer(s). I gel with most people, and in the rare cases I don't, I avoid being near them and take the shots from different angles altogether. It is an interesting phenomena when the discussion almost invariably leads to a verbal duel that is reminiscent of peacock feathering to display how wonderful they are or how valuable they are. I always smile when the talk leads to this area,from a range of experiences, I have come to expect it. Often though I never initiate such conversations of past glories because I am critical of their nature and believe that each experience I have, each new wedding, all harmoniously creates a body of work that is diverse and rich. The video guy at Kate & Derek's wedding was a nice guy, and became a much nicer guy by the close of the days events. I accept that we each find a creative place with which to work and go from there. I am present to the feelings that surround the people and events involved at a wedding and try to be sensitive to know when to be bold and forceful and when to step back and simply allow the day to unfold. It became obvious that Saturday was to be such a day when the "step back" was required. I am glad I did. There is always the creatively and emotionally difficult area at an event where one person dominates the time and is not seemingly respectful of the other's time, and obviously at such events it is never about me, it is always about delivering the images the client is paying for. I love the interaction and ability to look at things differently. And am again, very grateful for the images I was able to create for these two people. It was a truly great day. A young lady, Rebecca, I have as an understudy was covering her first wedding for me as well elsewhere. And though the camera died in what appeared as "error 99" I was able to walk her through it and we were fine. It is exciting for us both.
Then on Sunday evening I went to the Basement in Circular Quay and photographed the concert for the Moonshine Jug and String Band, who after the first half became the Brewster brothers and then even had a reunion on stage with "Doc" Neeson the lead singer from the Angels. It was a great concert that covered a vast array of musical influences and tastes. I loved it. I have already photographed the bands publicity shots and was honoured to be invited back to cover this rare and unique opportunity to see them all up close. I was invited by Rick Brewster no less. I occasionally have to pinch myself to think that people I have admired for many years are rapidly becoming actual friends of mine. There is a touch of the surreal about it.
If I was a betting man, I wouldn't mind saying that the Angels certainly gave the outward signs that they might be reforming with their original line up, but I have no inside info, it was just a wonderful thing to see and be a part of on stage. The energy and feeling from the audience was simply wonderful. It is a good audience. I love the intimate venues where you can be up close and personal with the artists, it is great. I was interested to see that Harry Connick Jr. had performed here and it even appeared that Norah Jones had as well. Too bad I missed that, I love Norah jones. I will be catching a lot more live gigs from here on out. They are great. I have a lot of photo jobs that are clamoring for attention and am busy, and believe that is when I am truly content. I can't believe that I get paid for this! Life is good to me, and just when I didn't think it could get better, it does!
Then on Saturday I had a wedding for Kate & Derek. What a wonderful couple. I had a lot of fun. It was interesting at first, when I arrived at the grooms home for shots, the video guy was there. Often at these introductory moments there is always, well mostly always, this period of getting to know you between the photographer and videographer(s). I gel with most people, and in the rare cases I don't, I avoid being near them and take the shots from different angles altogether. It is an interesting phenomena when the discussion almost invariably leads to a verbal duel that is reminiscent of peacock feathering to display how wonderful they are or how valuable they are. I always smile when the talk leads to this area,from a range of experiences, I have come to expect it. Often though I never initiate such conversations of past glories because I am critical of their nature and believe that each experience I have, each new wedding, all harmoniously creates a body of work that is diverse and rich. The video guy at Kate & Derek's wedding was a nice guy, and became a much nicer guy by the close of the days events. I accept that we each find a creative place with which to work and go from there. I am present to the feelings that surround the people and events involved at a wedding and try to be sensitive to know when to be bold and forceful and when to step back and simply allow the day to unfold. It became obvious that Saturday was to be such a day when the "step back" was required. I am glad I did. There is always the creatively and emotionally difficult area at an event where one person dominates the time and is not seemingly respectful of the other's time, and obviously at such events it is never about me, it is always about delivering the images the client is paying for. I love the interaction and ability to look at things differently. And am again, very grateful for the images I was able to create for these two people. It was a truly great day. A young lady, Rebecca, I have as an understudy was covering her first wedding for me as well elsewhere. And though the camera died in what appeared as "error 99" I was able to walk her through it and we were fine. It is exciting for us both.
Then on Sunday evening I went to the Basement in Circular Quay and photographed the concert for the Moonshine Jug and String Band, who after the first half became the Brewster brothers and then even had a reunion on stage with "Doc" Neeson the lead singer from the Angels. It was a great concert that covered a vast array of musical influences and tastes. I loved it. I have already photographed the bands publicity shots and was honoured to be invited back to cover this rare and unique opportunity to see them all up close. I was invited by Rick Brewster no less. I occasionally have to pinch myself to think that people I have admired for many years are rapidly becoming actual friends of mine. There is a touch of the surreal about it.
If I was a betting man, I wouldn't mind saying that the Angels certainly gave the outward signs that they might be reforming with their original line up, but I have no inside info, it was just a wonderful thing to see and be a part of on stage. The energy and feeling from the audience was simply wonderful. It is a good audience. I love the intimate venues where you can be up close and personal with the artists, it is great. I was interested to see that Harry Connick Jr. had performed here and it even appeared that Norah Jones had as well. Too bad I missed that, I love Norah jones. I will be catching a lot more live gigs from here on out. They are great. I have a lot of photo jobs that are clamoring for attention and am busy, and believe that is when I am truly content. I can't believe that I get paid for this! Life is good to me, and just when I didn't think it could get better, it does!
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