S02E05 – The World’s Youngest Concert Photographer

April 28, 2024 Charles Zona 00:40:3937.23M 0 Comments

In this episode of Seeing Them Live, eight-year-old Emma and her father Barry delve into their concert escapades, sharing their experiences as a father-daughter photography duo. Barry’s profession as a professional concert photographer provided Emma with opportunities to experience various concerts from a different angle. Barry started his career as a freelance photographer in 1997 for JAM TV, which quickly became a partnership for the Rolling Stone Network. This was where he eventually became the first photo editor for Rollingstone.com, working there through 2001. His freelance photography work also includes wire services for Getty Images and the Associated Press. He also contributes to live music publications as well as other areas of interest, including portraits, food, restaurants, and special events.

Emma’s adventure begins with a memorable experience at City Winery in Chicago on Father’s Day, 2021. Emma brought her Polaroid camera along, capturing special moments and collecting souvenirs. At the concert, Emma received an autographed photo from the singer Tiffany, marking the start of her souvenir collection. Later, Barry surprised Emma with tickets to see Mike Campbell and the Dirty Knobs at Park West, where they enjoyed a front-row experience and received guitar picks as additional mementos.

The excitement continued as Emma attended an Olivia Rodrigo concert at the Aragon Ballroom, discovering the artist through a video game. Barry’s surprise tickets to the concert delighted Emma, who received memorable souvenirs, including a guitar pick and flowers left on stage. Emma also attended her first Duran Duran concert at the United Center in Chicago, although she couldn’t enter the pit due to technical constraints. Despite this, Emma enjoyed the show with Barry and their writer, adding a unique perspective to Barry’s concert photography work.

Emma’s presence during concerts added depth to Barry’s work, capturing moments that might have been missed otherwise. Their adventures culminated in Emma’s attendance at Lollapalooza, where she met band members backstage. Emma and Barry discuss other live music experiences, including Guns N’ Roses at Wrigley Field and Al Jardine’s performance at the Schaumburg September Fest. Emma shares her excitement about receiving a guitar pick from Duff McKagan at the Guns N’ Roses concert after catching his attention with the rock and roll sign.

Transitioning to Al Jardine’s performance, Barry highlights their special connection with the artist and their collaboration on photography. Emma, using a Canon digital single lens reflex camera, captured memorable shots of Al Jardine and his band, learning the importance of composition and technique. Barry emphasizes the significance of focusing on key band members and anticipating moments to capture compelling shots.

Their conversation also touches on Emma’s evolving photography skills, from using a point-and-shoot Polaroid to a professional-grade camera, guided by her father’s expertise. They discuss Emma’s approach to concert photography, including her focus on the band and strategies for capturing dynamic moments. Additionally, they share insights into concert souvenirs, including t-shirts and vinyl records, and reflect on the unique experiences of attending concerts and red-carpet events together.

Overall, the episode showcases Emma and Barry’s passion for live music and photography, their shared experiences, and the joy of creating lasting memories together.