Photog Life: WARDROBE MALFUNCTION

Well it's been some time since I've posted last. Certainly not for lack of adventures!

I had such an outrageous day on Saturday that I was motivated to share...three events in one day, between Broward, Wynwood, and Miami Beach.

The first event was the very popular Indie Craft Bazaar at Revolution Live/America's Backyard in Ft Lauderdale. MERMAIDS HAVE MORE FUN! (Dena Venable wearing Dena Venable)

Originally photographed for Broward Palm Beach New Times/Village Voice. See full slideshow of the INDIE CRAFT BAZAAR here. 

Then on to Wynwood.

Halfway into capturing The People of Artwalk for Miami New Times, I almost fell hard by tripping on the half detached sole of my beloved "work boots." An authentic rock and roll acquisition from my last trip to Seattle, I have an I-can't-bare-to-think-about-life without-them sort of attachment with these things.

Luckily I was among a field full of art vendors, and the first booth I asked was able to help.

Kind-of.

There was a bit of a language barrier as my Spanish is not quite conversational yet, but the woman at the booth helped translate as a man offered some glue to resolve the situation. My time-frame wasn't going to allow for glue to dry, so the next best thing was packaging tape.

The man grabbed my foot (with boot attached) and wrapped about ten more layers of clear tape around the thing than I would have attempted, resulting in a "fixed" shoe. Functional, sure. But I had to laugh as it looked to me like I had left the house accessorized with half a roll of saran wrap.

So I grabbed more shots of people enjoying the Second Saturday Artwalk before I had to rush over to the Miami Fillmore to photograph Ray LaMontagne, Jenny Lewis, and the Belle Brigade.

It's always great catching up with the other concert photographers. You tend to see a lot of the same faces on the scene. And the stories we have to share...ha! We are a resourceful, determined, and moderately eccentric group.

Photog Life/Life Life 101: BRING DUCT TAPE

So about this time I realize the tape has begun to disintegrate. I re-position it a few times, but feel it's necessary to use one of my hair bands as reinforcement.

Every concert venue is different when it comes to photo rules. It also depends on the performing artists' wishes.

This concert was extremely strict as per the artists. We were stuck stage right, at the soundboard. Certainly not ideal, but workable. Reminder to self: You'll never have the perfect opportunity. Time, money, energy...something is always left to lust after. A positive attitude will help fulfill what is missing.

Originally photographed for Miami New Times/Village Voice. See full concert slideshow HERE.

So I soldiered on after the first three songs of each set. Back to Wynwood to capture the evening portion of Artwalk.

It was a typical rain season storm as I drove back, battled to find a parking space, then waited for either the rain to stop, or my car to float away. At a certain point it was about a 50/50 split on odds.

While I was waiting in my car, I saw Spiderman waiting under the protection of a gallery overhang. Spidey and I chatted for a bit about how exhausting Supercon was because of all the photographers. I guess he's a popular spider, man.

Originally photographed for Miami New Times/Village Voice. See full slideshow HERE.

Finally, a shout-out to the techno panda guy who shared his duct tape with me!

Saved by a panda, entertained by Spiderman, and inspired by an awesome impromptu music/rap/dance session in the street on 2nd ave attracting about 50 random people chanting in a syncopated unison: "I'm alive! I'm alive! I'm alive! I'm alive!...Mi-am-i, Mi-am-i, Mi-am-i....!"

Originally photographed for Miami New Times/Village Voice.

Synchronicity and Inspiration: South Florida Music Photographer

Six years go I was a full-time student commuting one hour each way several times a week, and a full-time lead sales agent/manager at a multi-million dollar company. By necessity, my social life was non-existent. I was either working or sleeping. Or driving.

Any spare block of time no longer than 20 minutes, but greater than 5, I would use for a "power-nap." I became hyper-aware of time, with an uncanny ability to guess what time it was before I even opened my eyes.

I knew it was not healthy when I felt that just by waking up, I was late.

What balanced out all of this hard work? We all make sacrifices for what we love, and I'd realized that passion while studying photography. That, and knowing that my frenzied pace of life couldn't last forever.

When I look back on it, it's easy for me to recognize that my love of photography was my first guru. It taught me how to SEE. To recognize the colors, shapes, and patterns in front of me were simply a mirror of what I felt. Thus allowing me to appreciate the consistency in change, and the skill to objectively observe the effect of light, or lack there-of, moment to moment.

Wow, this blog just got philosophical, fast. Bottom line: despite running toward what I liked, I was ultimately doing myself a disservice if I wasn't able to slow down and relax once and a while.

Finding my passion helped me to learn to stop and smell the roses. And to take pretty photos of them, too. Image taken in Provincetown, MA.

Six years ago when I had hardly the energy or time to spare, I found a way to attend Elliott Landy's photography exhibition at a Ft Lauderdale gallery.

Landy was the official Woodstock Music Festival photographer. You might not know him by name, as I hadn't prior to that day, but if you are remotely a fan of 60's era music, I bet you have seen some of his iconic concert and documentary photography. Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Richie Havens, Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, The Band, etc. etc. etc. 

Last night, I met him in person at the Norton Museum while on assignment for the Broward Palm Beach New Times. (See pics from the event.)

I listened to him describe what Woodstock meant to him. But what really effected me, was when he mentioned his theory of synchronicity. He described that when you are doing something you truly love, without trying, coincidences will happen as a reminder you're on the right track.

I got goosebumps.

Tomorrow night, I have a an exhibition at Artists Haven Gallery in Ft Lauderdale. The same gallery that six years prior, I found a moment to just let go and relax, and discovered the iconic photography of Elliott Landy.

Actual Woodstock tickets. Originally photographed for Broward Palm Beach New Times.

Elliott Landy describes which photograph he felt was the most iconic. See why I was so inspired: preview/buy his book HERE!  Originally photographed for Broward Palm Beach New Times.

I hope this little backstory gives you a little inspiration to go to the show's opening tomorrow night. It will be up until August 31st, 2012. My piece is represented in the Music/Sports/Journalism/Documentary category.



"Work hard. Love harder."- Love Handles

You are INVITED: South Florida Fine Art

I think we've reached the dog days of summer! This past weekend was a busy one. Check out the slideshows I did for Broward Palm Beach New Times...or just watch the cute dog .gif for a while.

FRIDAY, June 15, 2012: Rock of Ages Movie Screening and party at Revolution. (Where they filmed the movie!)

SATURDAY, June 16, 2012: County Grind Music Night at the Greenroom featuring the Jacuzzi Boys/Radioactive DJ's + more.

SUNDAY, June 17, 2012: Nauti Dawg Restaurant feature in picturesque Lighthouse Point.

Bruise Cruise Goes International: Concert Photography by Monica McGivern

The magazine is here! My Bruise Cruise Festival photos made it into OOR Magazine, the longest running and #1 music mag in the Netherlands.

They used more photos for the article written by festival attendee Bram van Schaik, but they featured this one of BC co-captain and Turbo Fruits' front-man, Jonas Stein. (Click on the photo to see more of the articles that are featured this month including, Santigold, Philip Glass, and musician/cover model Jack White.)
 

 Thank you Michelle Cable, Jonas, Bram, OOR, and everyone who helped to make the Bruise Cruise Festival happen, behind the scene, and part of it!

South Florida Concert Photography: Behind the Scenes with Kishi Bashi/of Montreal Part I

Last weekend I had quite a busy schedule. Four concerts in a row that included driving from Miami Beach to Orlando. Just wanted to share those links for those trying to keep up. :)

Wednesday, March 7- Hank III at the Culture Room in Ft Lauderdale for Salty Eggs.
Thursday, March 8- Kishi Bashi/of Montreal at the Plaza Live, Orlando.
Friday, March 9- Jacuzzi Boys, Love Handles, and Honey Train at the Snooze Theatre for Broward Palm Beach New Times.
Saturday, March 10- Jacuzzi Boys at Churchill's for Salty Eggs.

Since the Kishi Bashi/of Montreal show was a personal project, I've yet to process all of the images. Work has a way of coming before fun. :) But I know K has a few shows coming up tomorrow (Friday) at SXSW so I figured I'd put a few together as some can't make it to the festival, and those who are there need this schedule!

xo
Monica

Backstage

Great to see the audience singing along!

David and Clayton from of Montreal. Touring is rough. It's good to have people around that you know will scratch your back.

More photos when I get a chance...in the meantime, look up Kishi Bashi and the oM crew if you're in Austin!! OR check out these photos from the last time oM came through South Florida.

South Florida Concert Photography: Great News!

Just got official word that I'm going to be published in the Netherlands! Muziekkrant OOR Magazine is the oldest currently published music magazine in the Netherlands. As a leading resource to everything happening worldwide in music, I am honored to be published in their glossy monthly.

Especially intriguing to me is that legendary photographer, Anton Corbijn actively works for the magazine. Who is Anton, you ask? While his contributions as an artist are vast, for me what comes to mind are the iconic images for, U2's The Joshua Tree, and Achtung Baby , R.E.M.'s Automatic for the People, and Losing my Religion, and of course this little video here:



(Speaking of Nirvana, check out some photos I did this weekend with photos of a Nirvana cover band, "Teenage Angst" for brand new blog, Salty Eggs!)

I'll let you know more about images when I know what the editor's final selections are. For now, I just wanted to share the excitement of the news!

Tonight, the concert photography continues at Propaganda for Broward Palm Beach New Times.

Cheers!