Having reviewed hundreds of live shows in the late '90s/early '00s, I was always asked by publicists and record labels, "Do you need a photo pass as well?" For a while my response was no, without a second thought. Then one day I asked myself, why not? I went out, bought a low-priced Powershot, and my love affair with photography began (as well as my perpetually growing debt to Canon). To date I've shot over 300 bands live, as well as artist press pictures and other various and fun projects. I'll keep this page updated regularly, with new shots that catch my eye. My favorite aspect of shooting performance is catching an artist in his or her most impassioned, and often most vulnerable, state. There's something too beautiful for words about a human being in the rapture of their art, and those are the moments I hope to capture every time I return to the front of the stage.

Jill and I recently traveled to France, specifically to see Fat Freddy's Drop live, since the New Zealanders have never played in America. The festival in Bourges proved to be an amazing time, and I caught a ton of good shots from their 40-minute set. This one of lead singer Joe Dukie is what jumped out most. It was a rare moment in the set when the stage lights dimmed and focused on him, and from this angle I was able to capture a sea of darkness behind him. Considering he rarely moves when he sings, it makes any photographer's job easier. Still, the shading on his body on this one, and the contemplation and sturdiness of his expression, makes this the shot that will stay with me for some time.

After I was through interviewing Fat Freddy's Drop backstage, I came out to find San Francisco-based Groundation in full flight. I had heard of them before, but this band completely blew me away. Lead singer Harrison Stafford's voice shook my insides, not to mention the other 10,000 people in the room (which is why pictures never tell the full story). But you can imagine by this shot. I remember seeing him milling around backstage, thinking him familiar. Funny how you can recognize a band, but after the live set be an addict. Back home their albums have been in non-stop rotation since that epic set, and I will certainly seek them out from here on in.

While in Paris, my friend Cecile snagged me tickets to see Watcha Clan at La Maroquinerie. I was surprised and happy to find Transglobal Underground opening, and waited to see what the headliners had to offer. Little did I expect to be trampled by such a barrage of sounds: percussive house turned into flamenco electronica into Jewish folk into Tuareg blues - they literally tore through the Mediterranean, leaving no culture unexplored, whether acoustic, electric or electronic. I couldn't believe how many great shots of Sista K I got. This one really stole a moment of her unbridled confidence and deep sensuality - something open, open-minded, open-hearted and sturdy in purpose.

With a name like Rupa & The April Fishes, you know you're in for a treat. This San Francisco-based six-piece recently passed through New York, easily matching my expectations based on their very fun and very dexterous debut, eXtraOrdinary rendition. Of Indian descent, Rupa was born in the States, spent much of her youth in Paris, and is now a doctor in Calfornia. I love stories like that, and she has a definite magnetism to her on stage performance. Very cabaret, and very talented.

All-time classic. Will forever be one of my favorites. Manu Chao in Brooklyn, 2006. Earth just doesn't create many men like this, and it's almost like he's saying, "Yeah, I know. And?" And ... he continued to rock it to thousands, hard.

Spending a month on the road with Yerba Buena, Voltio, Akwid and Radio Mundial during the 2006 Musica Fresca tour, I took thousands of photographs. Every show I returned to my hotel room with winners. A year-and-a-half later, though, this one of RM's Jean Shepherd remains my favorite. Shot in St Petersburg, Florida, it was one of those moments as a photographer when I walked away shaking my head, saying silently in my head, "Got ya."