SAMMY KERSHAW - Shooting Star Event Center, Mahnomen, MN

Country Star Sammy Kershaw performed at the Shooting Star Casino, as part of a series of holiday concerts, in the midwest. At the beginning of the show, Sam's Tour Manager, Greg was very accommodating. He gave me access to the meet and greet and was just an awesome guy to work with! I wish all tour managers were like him!  Anyway- this shoot was fairly simple, although I was surprised to learn that I would only be allowed to shoot the first 2 songs, apparently Sam sweats a little, and they wanted to make sure he appeared his best in my shots.  Since there is no pit I had to kneel down for the majority of the shoot.  There were a few times where I did stand up, but that was minimal at best.  I understand that people pay good money to see these shows, and Sammy, and I do respect that, and I don't think my slight intrusion at the beginning of the show interfered too much with their enjoyment. ISO was at 1600 with shutter speeds around 300-400 as this was well lit from the stage lights and spot on Sam, however there were times I dropped down to a shutter of 100 as well.

BRET MICHAELS- 'Roses and Thorns' Tour- Grand Casino Mille lacs, Onamia, MN
 

This show proved to be a real challenge.  The event center is not set up for any photographers so I had to stand in front of the right side of the stage with other fans.  Not that this is a bad thing, I enjoy talking to people, but there are always people that can't handle their alcohol or get a little rowdy sometimes. In the beginning of the show the front of the stage was clear and there were security guards blocking it.  However when the show started, a tidal wave of hyped up, crazy, shouting fans seemed to roll right over them, and they never made it back.

This became problematic to me in the aspect I could not gain access to the front of the stage.  Most of my shots were taken from the right side of the stage, and I just happened to be right next to a woman that was a little into the show, and she constantly was bumping people with her drink, and other extensions on her as well couldn't seem to control themselves. It was quite disrupting as it was challenging to steady my camera for a shot.  Other than her, and other people beside me, I shot the entire show with my 80-200 at an ISO of 1600 and shutter speed of 130.  I was allowed to shoot the first 3 songs of the show.  It helped tremendously when Bret walked over to the right side of the stage and came to the end of it, at which point peoples hands were instantly glued towards the stage in hopes with shaking hands or touching the rocker.  If you looked directly below Bret, on the stage there was glow in the dark tape and the end of the walk way. This was probably there so Bret didn't fall off and become another rock star to take the tumble!