Have A Coffee With ... Concert Photographer Nancy Nutile-McMenemy
I was recently interviewed about being a concert photographer...here's Joanne's Blog...you should check it out...she has great interviews in her "Coffee with"...series!!!
I attended a concert recently that brought together many people living their choice lives, from the theater owners arranging the show, to the chefs preparing the food, to the musicians on the stage, to the concert photographer sitting front row center. I was intrigued by the idea of capturing the art of a rock concert on film, and so asked that photographer to share her choice photography life with us today.
Nancy Nutile-McMenemy started going to concerts when she turned 13. Her first show was The Beach Boys and Donovan at the Boston Garden. She started focusing on concert photography while at UMASS-Amherst, where she was a feature photographer for the UMASS Daily Collegian. Much of her concert photography interest started back as a teenager reading Cream, Circus and Rolling Stone magazines. Unlike most folks who are fans of Annie Leibovitz, Nancy’s always been a fan of Lynn Goldsmith. Goldsmith’s photos in magazines and on album covers inspired Nancy to focus on the music scene. The first show she shot was Van Halen at the Orpheum Theater, Boston MA in the late 70s and she hasn’t looked back. Welcome, Nancy!
Music is such a universal language, and you capture the creation of it in images. What drew you to make concert photography a choice lifestyle rather than a hobby?
At an early age I loved music, I lived for music. I couldn’t wait to get the next release from my favorite artists. I had a dream as a teen that one day my photo would be on an album cover. I’m still dreaming and unfortunately the “album” covers are so small now that you really cannot appreciate album art anymore. Concert photography has always been a part of my life and to be successful you just have to keep plugging away and one day…someone will discover your work and say—“Hey I want that lady to shoot our next gig for a CD cover!”
Your web site features a large catalog of rock musicians who you've photog
raphed. How did you acquire the experience necessary to effectively capture the essence of these artists?
I’m not really sure but I can look through my eyepiece and see album covers and posters happening during the shows. It’s kind of weird and spooky but at every show there is at least one shot that I take that I say to my husband (who’s usually with me…) “That’s it, that’s the money shot!” And it’s usually the best of the bunch when I get home to edit.
What or who inspires you to choose rock musicians as your photographic subject matter?
It’s the music. I live to see music performed live! A good rock show combines: music, theater, drama, lights and audience participation to the point where that experience, on that night, will never be created again. Something in me wants to document it, even if it’s only 2D with no sound. And as I said above, I followed Lynn Goldsmith’s work as a kid and I’m still hoping for ONE album cover, where she has like 100 plus.
How do you balance your photography life with family and home life?
Luckily, I married my best friend from college who also loves music and going to concerts too. We knew we didn’t want to have kids so we put all our disposable income into concerts! My husband is my biggest supporter and has always encouraged me to pursue photography as a career.
What does capturing significant rock music moments on film give back to you?
Oh man, how to describe it. Like I said, I get goose bumps when I take that ONE shot at a show that I know is the rockin-est best of the night. Then when I print it, it takes me back to the show, the crowd, the artist, the whole experience. It’s just so cool.
What advice would you give to others who are trying to pursue their passions and live their choice lives?DO IT!! I see so many people in jobs that they are doing for money and HATE them. Who wants to live like that? You have to find something you love and are passionate about and just DO IT!! You may not become a millionaire doing it, but I guarantee you will be so much happier and healthier, and you’ll have a blast while doing it…So where’s the question. Also I’m finding that once you really focus on something, the money does come, not in buckets, but it’s out there.
In keeping with the spirit of Whole Latte Life, before you pack your camera gadget bag and head out to a music arena, how do you take your coffee?Well, that’s a good question and sadly I have to say…I don’t. As a photographer, having a steady hand is key to a good photo. So I have a good healthy cup of coffee with soymilk on the morning of a shoot, but no coffee right before a show. I do however drink Earl Grey Tea, black if it’s going to be a long night, but most shows are first three songs then outta there.
.....................................................................................
Thanks so much for giving us a snapshot of your photographic life, Nancy. The very art of live music is such a fleeting creation, your work is a museum of sorts, preserving rare musical moments.
Readers, stop by The Comments if you have any questions for Nancy. Share a memorable, or first concert experience there and we'll create a virtual blog concert tour of our own.
Photos: Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Nicks, Elton John.To view more of Nancy's photographs, visit her web site at Photosbynanci.com.
Nancy Nutile-McMenemy started going to concerts when she turned 13. Her first show was The Beach Boys and Donovan at the Boston Garden. She started focusing on concert photography while at UMASS-Amherst, where she was a feature photographer for the UMASS Daily Collegian. Much of her concert photography interest started back as a teenager reading Cream, Circus and Rolling Stone magazines. Unlike most folks who are fans of Annie Leibovitz, Nancy’s always been a fan of Lynn Goldsmith. Goldsmith’s photos in magazines and on album covers inspired Nancy to focus on the music scene. The first show she shot was Van Halen at the Orpheum Theater, Boston MA in the late 70s and she hasn’t looked back. Welcome, Nancy!Music is such a universal language, and you capture the creation of it in images. What drew you to make concert photography a choice lifestyle rather than a hobby?
At an early age I loved music, I lived for music. I couldn’t wait to get the next release from my favorite artists. I had a dream as a teen that one day my photo would be on an album cover. I’m still dreaming and unfortunately the “album” covers are so small now that you really cannot appreciate album art anymore. Concert photography has always been a part of my life and to be successful you just have to keep plugging away and one day…someone will discover your work and say—“Hey I want that lady to shoot our next gig for a CD cover!”
Your web site features a large catalog of rock musicians who you've photog
raphed. How did you acquire the experience necessary to effectively capture the essence of these artists?I’m not really sure but I can look through my eyepiece and see album covers and posters happening during the shows. It’s kind of weird and spooky but at every show there is at least one shot that I take that I say to my husband (who’s usually with me…) “That’s it, that’s the money shot!” And it’s usually the best of the bunch when I get home to edit.
What or who inspires you to choose rock musicians as your photographic subject matter?
It’s the music. I live to see music performed live! A good rock show combines: music, theater, drama, lights and audience participation to the point where that experience, on that night, will never be created again. Something in me wants to document it, even if it’s only 2D with no sound. And as I said above, I followed Lynn Goldsmith’s work as a kid and I’m still hoping for ONE album cover, where she has like 100 plus.
How do you balance your photography life with family and home life?
Luckily, I married my best friend from college who also loves music and going to concerts too. We knew we didn’t want to have kids so we put all our disposable income into concerts! My husband is my biggest supporter and has always encouraged me to pursue photography as a career.
What does capturing significant rock music moments on film give back to you?
Oh man, how to describe it. Like I said, I get goose bumps when I take that ONE shot at a show that I know is the rockin-est best of the night. Then when I print it, it takes me back to the show, the crowd, the artist, the whole experience. It’s just so cool.
What advice would you give to others who are trying to pursue their passions and live their choice lives?DO IT!! I see so many people in jobs that they are doing for money and HATE them. Who wants to live like that? You have to find something you love and are passionate about and just DO IT!! You may not become a millionaire doing it, but I guarantee you will be so much happier and healthier, and you’ll have a blast while doing it…So where’s the question. Also I’m finding that once you really focus on something, the money does come, not in buckets, but it’s out there.
In keeping with the spirit of Whole Latte Life, before you pack your camera gadget bag and head out to a music arena, how do you take your coffee?Well, that’s a good question and sadly I have to say…I don’t. As a photographer, having a steady hand is key to a good photo. So I have a good healthy cup of coffee with soymilk on the morning of a shoot, but no coffee right before a show. I do however drink Earl Grey Tea, black if it’s going to be a long night, but most shows are first three songs then outta there.
.....................................................................................
Thanks so much for giving us a snapshot of your photographic life, Nancy. The very art of live music is such a fleeting creation, your work is a museum of sorts, preserving rare musical moments.
Readers, stop by The Comments if you have any questions for Nancy. Share a memorable, or first concert experience there and we'll create a virtual blog concert tour of our own.
Photos: Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Nicks, Elton John.