Mocha Club Live (with Wertz, Barnes, and Heath)
01.27.2010
I have a problem with being late. Nearly every time I go to the airport, I end up running to the gate. There have been plenty of times that I’ve missed my flight. I never quite seem to learn my lesson.
My general lateness applies to all areas of my life. For instance, just last night, I was sitting at my computer watching Friday Night Lights on Netflix when I remembered that the non-profit organization, Mocha Club, was doing a streaming event over the internet. It was 7:35. The event started at 8. I texted my friend Annie (who works for Mocha Club) to see if they wanted me to shoot the show. She said if I could get there in 25 minutes, I could do it. Google Maps told me it was 19 minutes away. Story of my life. Ready. Set. Go. I got there 90 seconds before they went on air.
With the musical stylings of Matt Wertz, Dave Barnes, and Brandon Heath, the event was sure to be a musical success. And it was. These guys have been close friends for years and it showed in the interviews they conducted with each other. Tons of funny stories and profound moments of trips the guys have taken to Africa. This event, to me, was not only a highlight of the incredible work that Mocha Club does, but a testimony to the power of friendship. Mocha Club director, Barrett Ward, is also a close friend of these guys. They’re all just regular people. These four men (and the handful of Mocha Club employees) have taken their gifts and used them to lead the charge in providing clean drinking water and education to people half a world away.
- I shot most of this show with my 70-200 lens because I needed to be out of line from the three video cameras shooting the show. I ended up using all three of my lenses at different points.
- It took me until Brandon’s songs (he played last) to sit down right in the middle aisle of the venue. It was filmed in front of a live audience and there was a video camera setup in the middle aisle but there was room for me to shoot. I realized last night that my attitude when I shoot needs to be this – I’m working. It’s still enjoyable to me, but I need to document what happens. And I need to put myself in the best spots available to me – even if it means I feel just a little uncomfortable going there. The best shots tend to be those that put you right on the border of your comfort.
- If you’re interested in supporting their cause, visit the Mocha Club website! They’re incredible people and they’re saving lives in Africa!!
Throughout 2009, I shot a crazy number of photos but never posted them. For 40 consecutive days, I'm going to post these shoots. Something new every day!
THANK YOU, ANDY!! you captured the feel of the evening so well
AWESOME shots. Love the candid shots on the couch, but all of them in general are pretty spectacular