Kansas City Band and Musician Photography

When I rebranded my photography business in 2012, I wanted to convey a focus on the other artistic love of my life, music. I wanted to begin working with more bands and musicians, both on stage and in the creation of promotional photos. I’ve loved having the chance to shoot some incredible shows this year (with a few more on the horizon that I’m super stoked about), and to create promo images for a wide variety of artists, duos, and groups. This avenue of my business allows me the opportunity to merge my two artistic passions, which is a dream. Shooting promo photos allows me the chance to envision and create a concept based on a band’s sound, and shooting live shows gives me the challenge of working in an ever-changing lighting environment while allowing me to enjoy a show from in front of the front row (there’s a bit of fangirl joy in that), for the first few songs. And it has widened my musical tastes as well. Almost every time I shoot a live show, I’m introduced to new bands or individuals that I didn’t know before. Every time I get to work with a new group for promo photos, I need to listen to their work to know what their style and sound is like, so I can do my best to ensure that my images match their style. I’ve fallen in love with lots of new albums and genres in the process. I’m thankful for that.

Here are a few highlights of some of my favorite shows and sessions so far this year:

Vance JoyVance Joy| Elle King | Jamie Lawson | Midland Theatre 20160217- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 043Vance Joy| Elle King | Jamie Lawson | Midland Theatre 20160217- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 042Vance Joy| Elle King | Jamie Lawson | Midland Theatre 20160217- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 044

Elle King
Vance Joy| Elle King | Jamie Lawson | Midland Theatre 20160217- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 040

Mike Franano
Mike Franano- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 021Mike Franano- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 020

Gary Clark, Jr.
Gary Clark Jr | Carson McHone- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 010Gary Clark Jr | Carson McHone- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 012Gary Clark Jr | Carson McHone- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 040

Ehrnman and Pearson
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Echo Collider
Echo Collider- - Kansas City Music Photographer | Band Promo Photos | Echo Collider - www.anthem-photo.com - 034Echo Collider- - Kansas City Music Photographer | Band Promo Photos | Echo Collider - www.anthem-photo.com - 033for composite- - Kansas City Music Photographer | Band Promo Photos | Echo Collider - www.anthem-photo.com - 030for composite- - Kansas City Music Photographer | Band Promo Photos | Echo Collider - www.anthem-photo.com - 032
www.anthem-photo.com
www.facebook.com/anthemphotokc

Boulevardia

Kansas City is so awesome. So very awesome. Boulevardia is just one of the reasons why it’s so freakin’ fantastic. I mean, it’s a three-day celebration of beer and music. I’m not sure it gets any better than that. I had the pleasure of photographing the national and local bands that played on behalf of The Deli Kansas City. Although I only attended a couple of the days, and only captured a small portion of the great acts, I can say it was absolutely packed full of talent. I loved hearing some local acts that were new to my ears. I was super impressed with every band I heard. What I loved the most was that there wasn’t a single local band that wasn’t deserving of playing on the main stage. Seriously, KC bands, you’re amazing.

The Outsides
 Anthem Photography | www.anthem-photo.comAnthem Photography | www.anthem-photo.comAnthem Photography | www.anthem-photo.com

The awesome stilt man
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The Phantastics
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In the Valley Below
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Hembree
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MS MR
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Fire dancer!
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The Architects
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The Mowgli’s
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The ultimate unicycle man!
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Moon Hooch
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Calvin Arsenia and Jonathan Theobald
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The Buhs
the buhs - boulevardia- kansas city - live music - www.anthem-photo.com - 146the buhs - boulevardia- kansas city - live music - www.anthem-photo.com - 147the buhs - boulevardia- kansas city - live music - www.anthem-photo.com - 148the buhs - boulevardia- kansas city - live music - www.anthem-photo.com - 149
Atlas Genius
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Making Movies
making movies - boulevardia- kansas city - live music - www.anthem-photo.com - 151making movies - boulevardia- kansas city - live music - www.anthem-photo.com - 152making movies - boulevardia- kansas city - live music - www.anthem-photo.com - 153making movies - boulevardia- kansas city - live music - www.anthem-photo.com - 154
Kangaroo Knife Fight
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Winter Jam Tour – Sprint Center – Kansas City Live Music Photography

I finally had the chance to shoot a show at Sprint Center. And wow. It was a powerhouse of a show. I must admit that I didn’t know what to expect. I hadn’t heard of Winter Jam until recently, and although I’ve heard of a lot of the artists on the lineup, I had never seen any of them live before. I was really impressed with every aspect of the musical performances – not only the lights and sound, but the stage presence and energy from every artist on that stage.

Skillet-Winter Jam 2015- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 047 Skillet-Winter Jam 2015- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 046Anthem Photography | www.anthem-photo.comAnthem Photography | www.anthem-photo.com Anthem Photography | www.anthem-photo.com Anthem Photography | www.anthem-photo.com Anthem Photography | www.anthem-photo.comSkillet-Winter Jam 2015- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 039Skillet-Winter Jam 2015- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 038
Skillet-Winter Jam 2015- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 037Skillet-Winter Jam 2015- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 036Skillet-Winter Jam 2015- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 033Skillet-Winter Jam 2015- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 034Skillet-Winter Jam 2015- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 031 Skillet-Winter Jam 2015- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 030 Skillet-Winter Jam 2015- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 029 Skillet-Winter Jam 2015- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 028 Veridia-Winter Jam 2015- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 026  Veridia-Winter Jam 2015- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 020 Veridia-Winter Jam 2015- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 024Anthem Photography | www.anthem-photo.com Anthem Photography | www.anthem-photo.com Anthem Photography | www.anthem-photo.com Anthem Photography | www.anthem-photo.com Anthem Photography | www.anthem-photo.com Anthem Photography | www.anthem-photo.com Anthem Photography | www.anthem-photo.com Anthem Photography | www.anthem-photo.com Anthem Photography | www.anthem-photo.com Winter Jam 2015- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 007 Winter Jam 2015- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 006 Winter Jam 2015- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 003 Winter Jam 2015- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 004 Winter Jam 2015- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 005 Anthem Photography | www.anthem-photo.com Winter Jam 2015- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 001Anthem Photography | www.anthem-photo.com Anthem Photography | www.anthem-photo.com Anthem Photography | www.anthem-photo.com Anthem Photography | www.anthem-photo.com Anthem Photography | www.anthem-photo.com Anthem Photography | www.anthem-photo.com Anthem Photography | www.anthem-photo.com Anthem Photography | www.anthem-photo.com

Check out www.jamtour.com to find out more about these artists.

Year in Review: Anthem Photography’s Favorite Images of 2014

I love reflecting upon my work at the end of each year. It’s always a fun reminder of how blessed I am to have the job that I do. It’s also my distraction from all that year-end paperwork and tax crap that I despise. In 2014 I shot 24 weddings, had 85 portrait sessions, and took nearly 60,000 photos. There are thousands of images that I treasure immensely of hundreds of people I met over the last 12 months. These are among my favorite images and moments of the year…

 

 

…like the pure joy of a bridesmaid congratulating the bride moments after the ceremony:

becky and tanner - second shooting for matthew- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 016

…this gorgeous outdoor wedding:

eleanor and jacob- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 023studio 1133 brattin family 2014- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 034 brattin family 2014- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 035

…the time Captain America (and his adorable cousin) stopped by the studio:

Burasco Goldstein Harnden Gang- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 032 Downtown Blue Springs Photography  engagement pictures- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 002 crossroads kansas city engler family- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 052 Unity Village Unity Village

…bath time with my little dude:

fall 2014- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 045 Anthem Photography | www.anthem-photo.com

…this perfect downtown KC engagement session:

crossroads kansas city  crossroads kansas cityjaime's photos- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 028

…the most incredible wedding cake I’ve ever seen:

jaime's photos- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 029 Downtown Lee's Summit katherine and nick- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 025

…this dreamy engagement session that sent me home with poison ivy (still totally worth it):

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…this maternity session with two people I love and adore:

messner maternity- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 017unique location

…the tons of talent in KC for Middle of the Map Fest:

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…being able to photograph one of my all-time favorite bands:

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…no, TWO of my all-time favorite bands:

jimmy eat worldone year one mile experiment- -  - www.anthem-photo.com - 009

…playing in the snow with my big guy:

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…the supermoon:

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…my absolutely adorable niece:

studio 1133

…my little guy’s first birthday:

www.anthem-photo.com james a reed james a reed

…this awesome family:

james a reed

…THIS awesome family:

unity village

…and THIS awesome family:

james a reed

…and every freaking awesome moment of the Switchfoot show

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…prayers over this gorgeous bride before she walked down the aisle

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…and a quiet moment between a father and daughter moments before her wedding

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…this beautiful bride walking down the aisle

Club 1000

…and then sneaking away from the reception for a quick rooftop photo

unique location  weston red barn farm wedding

…and EVERYTHING about this perfect orchard wedding

weston red barn farm weddingweston red barn farm wedding

 

Thank you, my incredible clients, for allowing me into your lives to document these priceless moments and to create images that I hope you’ll treasure forever. Here’s to 2014!

 

http://www.anthem-photo.com

Vance Joy and Young the Giant – Midland Theater – Kansas City

What an incredible night. Kansas City’s most beautiful live music venue, two incredibly talented musical groups, and my camera. As a music lover and a photographer, it doesn’t get much better than this.

Vance Joy – http://www.vancejoy.com

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Young the Giant – http://www.youngthegiant.comVance Joy and YTG-057Vance Joy and YTG-032Vance Joy and YTG-061Vance Joy and YTG-049Vance Joy and YTG-033Vance Joy and YTG-060Vance Joy and YTG-035Vance Joy and YTG-056Vance Joy and YTG-036Vance Joy and YTG-037Vance Joy and YTG-038Vance Joy and YTG-039Vance Joy and YTG-040Vance Joy and YTG-055Vance Joy and YTG-041Vance Joy and YTG-044Vance Joy and YTG-042Vance Joy and YTG-048Vance Joy and YTG-051Vance Joy and YTG-045Vance Joy and YTG-052Vance Joy and YTG-058Vance Joy and YTG-059

Special thanks to We Are Unified for allowing me to photograph such an amazing night of incredible music.

Charles – Our Brothers Keeper

Working with complete strangers can be one of the most intimidating aspects of what I do. Luckily, Charles immediately became a friend. Meeting him first in the Destiny Audio recording studio as he laid down some tracks for a very personal song about his experience as a Marine deployed in Iraq meant that he was bearing his soul to me within minutes of meeting him. I learned so much about him with just a few verses and a chorus of lyrics. He earned my respect and admiration for the things he has witnessed and experienced that I will never come close to understanding. And he allowed me the honor of documenting some of his time in a pretty badass studio, so he gets points for that too.

During our promo shoot a few days later, I learned a lot more about who he is and his goals with his music career. It’s touching to learn about his passion for music as a form of healing. I hope that’s what it does for him. He deserves it. He deserves good things. Always.

Recording a track at Destiny Audio:

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Promo photos in the Crossroads and at Liberty Memorial:

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Kristen May at The Riot Room

Next to photography, music is my passion. But mixing the two has always been a bit intimidating for me. There are so many challenges of shooting in the club environment: dim lighting, cords to trip on, and balancing the need to get the perfect shot with the need to avoid annoying the audience. But I’ve felt for a while that it’s time to take the steps to overcome my timidness and work alongside those challenges and see what can come of it.

So I got in touch with Kristen May, an amazingly talented friend of mine whose musical and vocal skills have amazed me each time I’ve seen her on stage throughout the past eight or nine years. Last night was certainly no different. I’m incredibly gracious that she allowed me to photograph her set. Her new songs are fantastic. Do yourself a favor and check out some of her new solo tracks here.


Oh, and if you’re in a band and would like some shots of your live shows, let me know!