All Access Shanrach Photography

2011-08-23T15:40:00.000-07:00

MICHAEL W. SMITH & AMY GRANT - Two Friends Tour-Orpheum Theatre, Minneapolis, MN

If you have ever been a fan of Michael W. Smith or Amy Grant, prepare for them to walk you down to the beginning and to the current stages in their careers. Michael and Amy performed from the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis to a sold out crowd. For this shoot I put all my trust in my 80-200, as I wasn't right up on the stage, but far enough away that the 80-200 would be just about perfect. There was no photo pit, instead directly in front of the stage, there was a large VIP area, where people could sit and watch the show. I would assume those people sitting there either paid good money to get those spots, or knew someone that hooked them up! The lights were bright enough for this show, that ISO was at 1600 with Apertures bouncing back and forth from 125-250 respectively. I was allowed to shoot the first three songs of the show. No big barriers for this show, just the occasional person getting up, blocking a shot or two, not a big deal. To get a copy of the set list for this show, Michael's soundman was nice enough to let me take a picture of the set list, in return he asked if I could email it to him. Nice guy! This show ran about 2 hrs and 45 mins, nearly three hours with several intermissions between sets. Michael was pretty much stationary throughout the shoot, only walking out with Amy did he move around to walk over to his keyboard. Amy moved around a bit more than Michael, interestingly enough the two seemed to move around more after I was done shooting! It was great seeing two old friends perform from their hearts, the hits and songs that made them who they are today! Enjoy.

2011-03-09T21:01:00.000-08:00

GEORGE STRAIT & REBA- Target Center, Minneapolis, MN

Its not too often that the King and Queen of country music tour together, so when the opportunity came up, I was excited for this shoot! Opening for George and Reba, was Leann Womack, which I didn't get to shoot due to a mix-up with credentials, I didn't get them until Reba was getting ready to go on. I thought this could have been a great shoot other than the fact that we weren't allowed to shoot in the pit in front of the stage. The set up for the stage was so the performers could sing equally and face and cover all sections in the Target Center, which would have been perfect if we could shoot in the pit, no such thing!

For Reba we were back almost to the area of the backstage area, which is about 600 feet, I did not have glass that would be able to produce a quality image, equipped with my 80-200. There were other photographers who were told the same, that we would be shooting this in the photo pit. There was one photographer who lugged around a 600mm with him on a monopod to every show. I'm not going to start doing that, as that will be the biggest hassal! If you are a photographer and have lifted one, you will know what I'm talking about! So I was not able to get a usable shot of Reba, although I have posted a few, they are not up to my standards! Clearances for this show, were out of this world, each artist that you photographed, before any images could be used, would have to be approved by the artists individual publicists, which that would be Reba, George and Leann's publicists!

I was crossing my fingers that when George came out, we might be in a better position for shooting? Yes we were moved to just in front of the stage area where George would be performing. This was about 300 feet from the stage, so I was able to get some great images. There were about four photographers who were approved for this show. ISO for Reba was at 3200 with shutter speeds around 120-200, George was 1600 and shutter was at 200-300 as George was well lit on stage. No big lighting shows, to deal with, so learning the lighting didn't take too long to learn. Two spots on George, and the Ace in the Hole Band. I was allowed to shoot the first 2 songs for Reba and George.

2011-03-09T17:51:00.000-08:00

LARRY THE CABLE GUY- 'Tailgate Party' Tour Sanford Center, Bemidji, MN

This was quite possibly the most difficult shoot to date. I was allowed 2 minutes by the tour manager to get the shots I needed. This would have been fine, because Larry doesn't exactly jump around stage, and move from one end to the other, unfortunately the tour manager did not allow me to get even close to the stage. My 80-200 lens did not measure up to the distance I was allowed to shoot which was approximately 500 ft from the stage. Had I known, it would have been this far back, I would have brought a 400mm which would have been more than adequate for the job. The images that I was able to get from that far back did not resonate a good feeling for presenting to an editor, but it is what it is! With that said, here are the images, lesson learned, be prepared! Before the show just outside the green room, I was able to visit with Larry, AKA Dan Whitney, and you would be surprised the guy doesn't even have an accent he speaks normal, and is the most personable guy I have met to date who is in the entertainment business! Thanks for the laughs Dan, even before Larry took over!

2011-03-09T17:09:00.000-08:00

Katharine McPhee Mall of America, Bloomington, MN

The only thing missing from this show were the people! Not sure if word didn't get out, but they missed out on a great performance from American Idol runner-up, Katharine McPhee, who performed to fans, in the Best Buy Rotunda at the Mall of America. Lighting was very good for this shoot so I was able to get by with an ISO of 800, and shutter speed of 300-400. The only barrier I had to deal with is some people standing in the very front, and if I was to go in front of them, I would have to kneel down, and the result would be some very unflattering shots right up Katharine's nose. The 80-200 was more than adequate for this shoot as my best images were taken standing back of the line. I was allowed to shoot the first 3 songs of her performance.

2011-03-09T16:18:00.000-08:00

Maroon 5 'Hands All Over' Tour- Shooting Star Event Center, Mahnomen, MN

This was an interesting shoot with the aspect that, the night before, Maroon 5 performed at the Target Center in Minneapolis, and now, tonight they sold out the Shooting Star Event Center. It's not very common for larger groups to play, smaller venues, however, with that said, that didn't seem to affect M5's performance none-the-less, as the energy in Adam Levine, and band was certainly there! I was equipped with my 80-200 which proved to be my lense of choice for this shoot. The Event Center does not have a photo pit, so you pretty much shoot where ever you can, even if it means blocking someones view for a few seconds of shots. I will admit, I was a bit more bold, standing in front taking shots of the group, this time, and sometimes kneeling down. The lighting for the group wasn't too hard to follow, as it seemed to repeat for most songs, one spot on Adam, and stage lights for the band. ISO was 1600 and shutter speed right around 125-200. I was allowed to shoot for the first 3 songs.

2011-03-09T14:12:00.000-08:00

LORETTA LYNN- Shooting Star Event Center, Mahnomen, MN

What an absolute honor it was to photograph country music legend, Loretta Lynn. She certainly has more energy than anyone I know that is her age! This shoot was one of the more relaxed shows that I have been to in awhile, don't get me wrong, hyper fans jumping around make for great shots, but its nice to get a break from that sometimes, and Loretta's show was a breath of fresh air. Once again, the event center does not have a photo pit, so I knelt down for most of this shoot. I was allowed to shoot the first 2 songs, opening for Loretta were her twin daughters, Peggy and Patsy. I shot a majority of this show, with my 80-200 at an ISO of 1600 shutter speeds were right around 100-120, due to limited lighting, one spot on Loretta and the Lynns.

2011-03-09T13:06:00.000-08:00

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.

2011-03-06T20:37:00.000-08:00

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!

2011-03-06T17:43:00.000-08:00

BROOKS & DUNN- 'Last Rodeo' Tour- First Midwest Bank Amphitheater,Tinley Park, IL

When it comes to being part of something like legendary country duo Brooks & Dunn, distance didn't seem to bother me, traveling about eleven hours to see these guys perform on their last tour ever. I know these performances are set up many months in advance, and sometimes years, but the day could not have brought a more sweltering heat and humidity to the field in which the First Midwest Bank Amphitheater was built. l'm sure everyone in the long line waiting for the gate to open,which extended all away back to the road, would have much rather been at the beach that day.

With no rain in sight, the only thing I really had to worry about that day was, passing out from heat stroke, and keeping dust out of my camera. Gary Allen opened the show, and the stage extended into the audience which can present some really great perspectives for shooting, if photographers are allowed to shoot around it in the pit. In this case we were not, there were two other shooters beside myself. We were only allowed to shoot the first 2 songs for Gary Allen and Brooks and Dunn. Luckily Gary made use of the extended platform and I was able to get some great shots of his back to the audience. At one point a woman in front tried to grab Allen, to which security in the pit, pushed her back. The lighting for Gary's performance was rather simple, with a single spot to light him, and band members by the stage lighting.

I was a little disappointed with the Brooks and Dunn portion of the show as I and other photographers were told we had the first 3 songs, but then it changed to just two. For a majority of the songs Ronnie Dunn performed on the platform to the audience while Kix Brooks performed from the stage. Photographers were allowed to shoot from the left side of the stage, we did not have access around the platform in the pit, which didn't make sense as there was room in the pit. In either case, that definitely proved to affect the outcome of this shoot. For the first song I used my 14-24 since Kix and Ronnie were a few feet away, which resulted in my best images for this shoot. The last song I used my 80-200 which it would have been nice if Ronnie would have turned around or looked at us shooting. I was able to get a few nice shots of Kix, but that was it. Overall I wish I would have used the 80-200 first if I knew Ronnie was going to stay the entire time out on the end of the platform on the second song! ISO's were at 1600 and shutter speeds varied around 120-250.

2011-03-06T16:20:00.000-08:00

HANSON 'Shout' Tour-Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley, MN

I have always enjoyed shooting photos outside in the 'elements'. For Hanson, it happened to be a very rainy day, and as they say, the show must go on! It was interesting to look around and see everyone and everything covered in plastic! The danger of performing outside in a rain storm, is lightning of course, which threatened to cancel this show throughout the day. Hanson's opener 'Rooney' opted out at the last minute, due to the lightning danger. This in turn would push back the show, or make Hanson take the stage quicker than they had planned, otherwise fans would be waiting a while out in the stands for this show to start. I was relieved to find out after talking to promoters that Hanson would indeed take the stage an hour and a half sooner, which was about 20 mins from when I found out. I had my camera and other equipment wrapped in plastic for this shoot, just in case the rain chose to present itself throughout the evening. (which it did)

At one point Hanson was walking onto the stage, and turned around as it started to pouring, as roadies scrambled the stage, to cover up the gear, and it did so for about 20 minutes. Hanson returned to the stage, and Zac slipped on a puddle of water on the platform while making his way over to the keyboard, he recovered quickly, so I don't think too many people noticed. Roadies then squeegeed the stage, and Hanson was allowed to return. I was allowed to be right in front of the stage as long as I ducked down for the first 3 songs only. Being so close to Hanson I was able to get some great wide angled shots, so my 14-24 came in use well, for more up close and personal shots I took out my 80-200. ISO was right around 1600 with shutter speed at 100-130, as the stage wasn't well lit, there was no spotlight at this show.

More coming soon...

2011-03-06T15:11:00.000-08:00

BLAKE SHELTON 'All About Tonight' Tour-Sanford Center, Bemidji, MN

Blake Shelton was the first ever country artist to play at the new Sanford Center in Bemidji, MN. Opening for Shelton were Steel Magnolia and Easton Corbin. This shoot was interesting to say the least, The stage was about a 100ft from where I was allowed to shoot. There were two platforms that extended into the audience on the right and left of the stage. I was allowed to shoot on the right side but was not permitted to shoot on the left side. The first act Steel Magnolia made use of the platforms well, so I was able to get some nice shots with my 80-200, which is the only lense I used due to the set up. Anything smaller just would not have been able to cover the job. The lighting for this show was fairly easy to follow, so learning the patterns didn't take long, most shutter speeds were in the 100-200 range. I was allowed to shoot songs 2&3 of all acts, which was a first for me! During each act I was escorted in to the venue to shoot, and escorted out until the next act, and so on.

2011-03-06T13:12:00.000-08:00

LINKIN PARK 'A Thousand Suns' Tour -Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN

I recently traveled to St. Paul, MN to cover Linkin Parks' 'A Thousand Suns' Tour at the Xcel Energy Center. These guys definitely know how to put on a great show! Lighting for this performance proved to be quite challenging, with some really intricate light patterns, not to mention the huge strobes behind the stage, I shot a majority of the show at an ISO of 1600 with varying shutter speeds between 100-300 respectively. I was surprised to see that the tour allowed so many photographers into this particular show! The pit was full, and I even made friends with two lucky guys that won a contest to meet the band, as well shoot pictures with the us photographers in the pit! I utilized my trusty 80-200, along with my 16-24 for the wide angle shots of Chester and Mike playing to the camera. The platforms didn't allow for full body shots of Chester, however I was able to utilize the platform, which worked to my advantage. I was allowed to shoot all acts, songs 1-3 and after each act escorted out, until the next performer and so on.

Welcome to the official photo shoot blog of Shanrach Photography!

2011-03-06T12:52:00.000-08:00

Only here will you will find exclusive shots from our photo shoots. Quite simply if we created it, this is the only place it will be posted, including all the details behind the scenes of the shoot!