So lift your voice with timbrel and lyre

These are my favorites, The Oh Hellos.

Austin. Birmingham. Atlanta. Asheville . Floydfest. Nashville. Louisville. Indianapolis. St. Louis. Memphis. Bellevue CO. Four Corners Folk Festival. Boulder. Lockn Festival. La Jolla. Santa Ana. San Luis Obispo. LA. Fresno. Seattle. Eugene. Portland. George Fox University. Reno. Sacramento. Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival. Oklahoma City. Walrus Audio. Columbia. Kansas City. Des Moines. Omaha. Daytrotter. Minneapolis. Green Bay. Madison. Chicago. Knoxville. Athens. Oxford. Charlottesville. Charleston. Charlotte. DC. NYC Bowery. Baeble Music. NPR Tiny Desk. NYC Terminal 5. Pawtucket. Boston. Philadelphia. Lynchburg. Fayetteville. Austin.  

54 performances in 2015 including 4 festivals and 4 live recording sessions, plus a few radio interviews/unplugged performances for good measure.

5 months of living more on the road than at home.

Thousands upon thousands of miles driven;  millions upon millions of cooped-up-in-the-van hours endured.

So many hotel rooms slept in for not quite enough hours to feel truly rested.

Countless bottles and shrink-wrapped packages of OTC cold medicines and stomach remedies and Advil consumed.

A new album with new music to master plus older crowd favorites to keep fresh.

But these troupers persevered.  They trouped like nobody’s business!

Old Rock House, St. Louis MO 7/31/15

Levitt Shell, Memphis TN 8/1/15

People often ask me if I travel with the band full-time, to which I reply:  I WISH.  Also, to tell the truth: I MIGHT NOT LAST LONG.  Yet if they ever extended the invitation I would drop my normal, comfortable everyday life in a heartbeat.  The pace is grueling and disorienting and intoxicating all at the same time, so I go out as often as I can but mostly cheer from home.  (The shows in bold print above are the ones I attended.)

Four Corners Folk Festival, Pagosa Springs CO 9/5/15

Birch Aquarium at Scripps, La Jolla CA 9/16/15

I love photographing Oh Hellos shows.  Hands down, it is my very favorite thing to do in the whole world.  I love getting to venues with the band for load-in and soundcheck because that gives me a chance to wander around and find angles to try to shoot from.

The Observatory, Santa Ana CA 9/17/15

I love being backstage while these fun people entertain themselves and warm up.  I love meeting their supporting bands and getting to know a bit about their backgrounds and personalities.

SLO Brewing Company, San Luis Obispo CA 9/18/15

I love the nervous energy that builds until it’s time for the band to take the stage.  I love hearing the crowd get quiet for an instant when the lights go down, and then immediately start to cheer as the music begins.

The Cathedral Sanctuary, Los Angeles CA 9/19/15

I love moving around to as many spots as possible during the show to capture individual expressions and full-room shots and small moments and big emotions.  I love knowing these particular musicians well enough to be able to appreciate the unique ways they throw themselves into the music and connect with the crowd.

Varsity Theater, Minneapolis MN 10/22/15

I love the waves of joy and fellowship that wash over everyone in the room, audience and band members alike.  And I love looking through my photos afterwards to find images that tell the story of the night.

Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, Washington DC 11/7/15

A friend pointed out that I have a unique role to play in the journey of this band.  This role combines elements of proud mom and professional photographer and wannabe adventurer and sincere fan and grounding influence, and I am so thankful for the perks and opportunities that come with the job.

Bowery Ballroom, New York NY 9/9/15

Baeble Music, New York NY 11/10/15  (link to session)

It’s a heady thing, this business of performing music for people who either already adore you or are quickly won over. I rejoice in the blessings my kids (allllllll of them) have received, just as I pay close attention for signs of overwhelm and/or conceit.  So far I have honestly been amazed by the level of maturity, consideration and love this bunch shares with one another and all they cross paths with.  My heart is now more tender toward bigger-name artists who seem to have lost their way because I see how very treacherous the path is.  Steady support and honest encouragement only become more crucial when walking through success!

NPR Tiny Desk, Washington DC 11/11/15  (link to concert)

Terminal 5, New York NY 11/11/15  (opened for Shakey Graves)

I’m proud that Tyler and Maggie have a very clear vision of how they want their career to go and have put together a team of people who understand and support the vision so well.  God continues to guide them and they follow with humility and gratitude.  My heart is full!

World Cafe Life, Philadelphia PA 11/14/15

Stubb’s  Outdoor, Austin TX 11/21/15

A beautiful community is forming as like-minded musical artists find one another.  They may be based all over the country and only cross paths for a season, but their friendships are shaping and strengthening worldviews and long-range goals.  I enjoyed photographing several of them during the 2015 touring season.

Eine Blume in St. Louis MO 7/31/15

I’m With Her at Four Corners Folk Festival 9/5/15

Shakey Graves in NYC 11/11/15

Touring together bonds people quickly and permanently.  These three bands — Joseph, Family and Friends and Cereus Bright — are now forever friends of The Oh Hellos.

Joseph in Santa Ana CA 9/17/15

Family and Friends in Philadelphia 11/14/15

Cereus Bright in Minneapolis 10/22/15

As often as I can, I will continue to be within camera-shot of the action.  Look closely enough and you’ll probably spot me up in the balcony, right in front of the stage, standing on tiptoes within the crowd, or sneaking a shot from onstage while the circus provides cover.

(Do you see me?)

The Oh Hellos + Family and Friends + Cereus Bright finale in Minneapolis 10/22/15

(photo by Chelsea Kornse Photography)

Full steam ahead, gang!  I can’t wait to see where 2016 touring takes you so I can tag along!

Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4