For me, this year is a shift. I turn 40 in a year (Janauary 2013 – it’s mai tai’s on the beach for everyone!) – and this makes me take a step back and say, what am I doing – personally, professionally, creatively? Creatively – photography is my outlet. In recent years, it has been music that has drawn my lens – live performers, swirling lights, and those exhale moments of bliss in between.

In the new year – the shift, as it were – is that I have decided to turn my lens towards other things for a bit. I have stopped signing up to shoot gigs – I am not quitting, or “retiring” – that’s way too dramatic. I am simply choosing to explore imagery of different things. Sure, I might turn out for a gig here or there – or if you really want me there – hit me up! It’s all good. Not to mention, I still have some opening sets in the hopper, that will probably be making mention in upcoming blogs – never fear, there’s always more.

Image making wise, things that will be pulling my lens in 2012 are: colorful, delish food, exotic places, mundane locality, and the beauty that abounds.

In 2012, I will continue to chase my bliss. Here’s to everyone, chasing theirs. Cheers.

xoxo
~elisa

p.s. check my foodie blog full of colorful yumminess, recipes and whatnot – yearinveggies.com

Assignment photos – http://www.soundspike.com/photos/1552/11/theory-of-a-deadman-in-seattle/

Some of my faves –

-archive slideshow-

Theory of a Deadman at the Showbox Market 1-22-2012 – Images by Elisa Sherman

Assignment photos –
http://www.soundspike.com/photos/1546/3/concrete-blonde-in-seattle/

Concrete Blonde at the Neptune Theatre 1-25-2012 – Images by Elisa Sherman

Some of my particular faves ~

Images from the Lifehouse show early this year, are some of my favorites – especially of Ben Carey – he is perfection to photograph – he is the perfect dirty rock star guitarist – you realize I’m not being literal – just honest, he’s not beautiful but he is – does that make sense? The lead singer of Lifehouse, yes, is technically pretty good looking – but Ben is the one that kept pulling the lens over and giving it. He’s also pretty cool – bumped into him a late during Pajama night decked out in his bathrobe on the VH1 Best Cruise Ever, but that’s another tale to tell!

More recently – there was the spectacular night that was put on by husband wife duo – Neil Gaiman & Amanda Palmer…Their show was stunningly fun to watch, take in, and yes photograph. One of the best parts of the night, was when Amanda invited dancers out, and lined them up to deliver birthday kisses – lucky man.

Stepping back in the year a bit, was the Noise for the Needy shows…I have shot them since 2008. It’s a fun way to give back to the community doing what I can do pretty easily. This image – was of Claire England of Bright Futures at Chop Suey – wearing, you aren’t mistaken – that’s a Justin Beiber tshirt – priceless!

This next photo is a fave simply because I love the color, and the swishy-ness of it – it is what it is, and I like it. The girls are 2 of the 3 singers for a brand new band (in one of their first shows), called The Pytons – they hired me to shoot 3 of their shows, and they are all spectacular people – my hats off to them, and I wish them much success and good music.

And while I didn’t shoot many shows this year, I did bring this whole full circle by finally officially shooting INXS – the band that inspired me to do this thing amongst the swirling lights, hot rock stars, and whatnot…It was what would seem their last tour with Canadian lead singer, JD Fortune, who won the spot back in 2005 on the show Rock Star: INXS – which also can be credited with my inpsiration for getting into this game, rather later in life than the youngins (in my thirties, lol)…So JD, even though you hid from me for most of the 3 songs I got to shoot you, this one’s for you…for always being that Rock Star on stage every time I saw you, being friendly and cheeky offstage, one upping my friend about the temperment of her pug whilst playing poker, and being so lovely backstage when I got invited to shoot the fan winners with the band this go round. JD – you are a rock star. INXS, I wish you the best in your next ventures. And to 2011, it was a good year.

So that’s it for the stories – check the list with links to all of the artists featuerd this year, along with the slideshow with several fun images from the year, whether it was Scott Hutchison, my 3rd time out shooting the fabulous Psychedelic Furs, my second time shooting the spectacular that is the Theivery Corporation, or the killer country that is Little Big Town – it was all good. Until next year, adieu…

2011
December –
Pink Martini with the Seattle Symphony

November –
Jason Webley (feat. Amanda Palmer)
Amanda Palmer @ Occupy Seattle
An Evening with Neil Gaiman & Amanda Palmer
The Bangles

September -
Thievery Corporation

August -
Little Big Town

July -
INXS
Gillian Welch
Owl City
Neko Case
Mat Kearney

June -
Brett Dennen
Noise for the Needy featuring: Akimbo, Wildildlife, Black Queen, Princess, Vultures 2012, Smooth Sailing, Whiskey Tango, What What Now, Brite Futures, Lisa Dank, The Redwood Plan, Fresh Espresso

May -
Psychedelic Furs

April -
Robert Plant

March -
Lifehouse
Joshua Radin
Laura Jansen
Noise for the Needy feat. Kokon Taiko Drummers, Truckasauras, Mad Rad, Junkie XL
Scott Hutchison

February –
Josh Ritter & the Royal City Band

January -
Alter Bridge
Amos Lee
Taddy Porter
Like a Storm

2011 Year in Review – Images by Elisa Sherman

Anywho, with the year coming to a close – I didn’t want to pass these under the radar…but celebrate what didn’t crash! As always, love, marriage, and joy is what I seek…To visit prior year sets check – 2008, 2009, 2010 links.

slideshow –

Seattle Pride Parade ~ 6-26-2011 – Images by Elisa Sherman

Assignment images: http://www.soundspike.com/photos/1470/2/pink-martini-in-seattle/

Though glorious in full color, I decided to process the final set of the year, in a cool black & white treatment – it somehow fits vibe I think…

Pink Martini with the Seattle Symphony…

Full Archive slideshow

Pink Martini Holiday Show with the Seattle Symphony at the Paramount Theatre 12-3-2011 – Images by Elisa Sherman

A funny aside, as I awaited the shooting the show, Amanda Palmer and Neil Gaiman came in and sat a few rows back on the left side…they sat down to watch their friend Jason (whom they’d later join onstage), and the face on the gal that was sitting in front of them, when she realized who was sitting behind her was priceless…

Anywho, assignment photos on SoundSpike – http://www.soundspike.com/photos/1410/jason-webley-in-seattle/

And some of my favorites…

Archive Slideshow

Jason Webley at the Moore Theatre 11-11-11 – Images by Elisa Sherman

I think, part of the change is the weather, part of it, is the splintering of locations – Westlake is no longer the hub – folks are camping out up at Seattle Central Community College up on the hill. Oh, and it’s darker earlier – welcome to winter, or rather late fall (but it felt like winter!)…

In the past, I had focused on the signs – which had been in abundance, as a portal for reading the message, or the heart of the movement. This afternoon, there were less than a handful of signs – most professionally printed rather than handwritten. I don’t know what it all means – maybe it was just time for the group that has hung in there, to have some fun. Fun is a good thing…so this time, it’s dancing, and singing. And a special visit to support the Occupy movement, by Amanda Palmer – in town this week for last Wednesday’s show with her husband, to see Jason Webley’s 11-11-11 show, and finally, to stand in solidarity as she has in other cities, with Occupy Seattle.

Occupy Seattle at Westlake Park 11-12-2011 – Images by Elisa Sherman

Together you say? Yep, a night full of oddly lovey banter, kisses, extra freaky creepy proes & poetry, tunes, with a few friendly special guests…

Amanda Palmer is always a treat – whether it’s with the Dresden Dolls, the quirky Eveylyn Evelyn(with Jason Webley), solo or here – with husband…The most noteworthy bit – is how these two, both with their own bit of obvious edgy humor & angst – are obviously so in love – it’s almost disgusting, if they weren’t really so cool – we forgive them – they are just beyond. So go ahead, make out, it’s ok, we’re good.

Gaiman – is the perfect match – on stage, whether reading, telling a story, singing(yep!) or staring lovingly (or oggling) at the wife…

The night, was over 2hrs of a quirky creepy freaky good time.

Assignment images are here – http://www.soundspike.com/story/3291/in-pictures-amanda-palmer-in-seattle/

Some of my favorite images from the night…

Archive Slideshow

An Evening with Neil Gaiman & Amanda Palmer at the Moore Theatre 11-9-2011 – Images by Elisa Sherman

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