Best Of 2015: Music Photography




Hey guys!

I guess the most expected way to start this post would be "2015 is almost over! Wow!".
And that would also be a very appropriate way to start this post.
But it wouldn't be me.

The way I want to start this post is:
The year is almost over. What what what. What what what.
Okay, no, actually it's not that much of a surprise as I'm very aware of what date we have.

To walk away from this awkward intro with grace, let me tell you what today's post is about.

I love photography, I always have.
I ran around with cameras and took pictures of flowers before I even understood the power of photography.
I took my first decent gig photograph at a Rooney show in 2010 and actively started photographing gigs in 2012.

Of course house in the sand is the nicest reason to keep on shooting gigs and it's beautiful to have acts ask me to photograph their shows.

2015 offered photographing new acts, learning more about my own style, testing new techniques at shows and becoming more confident.

Photography became a comfort, a friend and I think I started understanding the power of it.

Below are some of my favourite music photographs I took this year.
Since I'm a little writer, you'll find a few stories between the shots as well.

I hope you enjoy!


The Arkanes // 18th March 2015 // Kellerklub, Stuttgart

I've photographed this band plenty of times before, yet I've never managed to capture their dynamic as a band in one photo. Until that day. Very pleased. 

Chris (The Arkanes) // 23rd March 2015 // Magnet Club, Berlin

The Arkanes // 26th March 2015 // North Sea near Oldenburg

In March I went on tour with The Arkanes, of course that gave me endless options to photograph and document music.

I was able to "access all areas" and had a lot of time to experiement with angles, lights and arrangements.
I discovered a lot of new techniques and even new dynamics.

Chris (The Arkanes) // 26th March 2015 // Cadillac, Oldenburg

Longy (The Arkanes) // 26th March 2015 // Cadillac, Oldenburg

The Arkanes // 26th March 2015 // Cadillac, Oldenburg

The image above comes with a little story. As you can clearly see, this photograph is anything but sharp. It's blurry, messy and the lighting is bad - I usually delete those kind of images.

But in this case the band and I went through the pictures and whilst I was ready to press delete, they all liked it. They explained that they think it captures their stage performance and attitude and it made sense to me. Now, looking back on the year, it's actually one of my favourite shots.

Longy (The Arkanes) // 26th March 2015 // Cadillac, Oldenburg

Chris (The Arkanes) // 27 March 2015 // Riffelhof, Burgrieden

The Arkanes // 27 March 2015 // Riffelhof, Burgrieden

Dylan (The Arkanes) // 27 March 2015 // Riffelhof, Burgrieden

Chris (The Arkanes) // 27 March 2015 // Riffelhof, Burgrieden

I guess during that tour I learned that photographs don't always have to be super sharp or perfectly in focus. At least not for the style I have.
I want to capture emotions, tell stories and create memories.

Chris (The Arkanes) // 28th March 2015 // Coq d'Or, Olten

The Arkanes // 28th March 2015 // Coq d'Or, Olten

Ben Barritt // 16th July 2015 // Stoffel Festival, Frankfurt

Photographing Ben was a lot of fun. It was the first time I got to see him perform, so studying his style and quickly adapting to it, made me enjoy this evening so much.

Ben Barritt // 16th July 2015 // Stoffel Festival, Frankfurt


Ben Barritt // 16th July 2015 // Stoffel Festival, Frankfurt

Martin (Martin and James) // 8th August 2015 // Weingut Künstler, Hochheim

James (Martin and James) // 8th August 2015 // Weingut Künstler, Hochheim

Martin and James // 8th August 2015 // Weingut Künstler, Hochheim

Martin and James were the first band to get my a photo pass in 2012. Three years later, they still support my work and continue to be some of the most wonderful guys to work with.
They are so much fun to photograph!

Kid Wave // 13th October 2015 // Luxor, Cologne

When you have to photograph from the crowds, you really get to know the different types of people.
A lot of them do not understand that you're doing your job, so they can be very rude. Had to deal with a few rather unfriendly characters, yet I got some decent shots.
Take that, you unfriendly humans!

Kid Wave // 13th October 2015 // Luxor, Cologne

Kid Wave // 13th October 2015 // Luxor, Cologne

I really like the photo above!

Arni (The Vaccines) // 13th October 2015 // Luxor, Cologne

Justin (The Vaccines) // 13th October 2015 // Luxor, Cologne

The Vaccines. Talk about putting on a show! Holy cow!
I got to shoot from the pit and it was slightly overwhelming but a lot of fun to photograph them.

Freddie (The Vaccines) // 13th October 2015 // Luxor, Cologne

Justin (The Vaccines) // 13th October 2015 // Luxor, Cologne

This is perhaps the most intense photo I've ever taken..

The Vaccines // 13th October 2015 // Luxor, Cologne

Chris Pate // 23rd October 2015 // Riffelhof, Burgrieden

The photograph above is my favourite photo of the year. It was taken at one of my favourite venues and it was a special gig.
Chris Pate, former front man of The Arkanes, did his first Germany solo gig after the band split up.

I would like to think that I managed to point out the new found speed, the personality and the intensity with this image.

Chris Pate // 23rd October 2015 // Riffelhof, Burgrieden

Hudson Taylor // 6th November // busking in Stuttgart

Perhaps the most heart-warming image of the year.
After we filmed a few videos, the Hudson Taylor lads went to do some busking. This little lady was so fascinated and it was so adorable.

Photographing musicians busking is different compared to photographing a show but it was marvelous.

Hudson Taylor // 6th November // busking in Stuttgart

Hudson Taylor // 6th November // busking in Stuttgart

Hudson Taylor // 6th November // busking in Stuttgart

Harry (Hudson Taylor) // 6th November 2015 // Club 1210, Stuttgart

Hudson Taylor // 6th November 2015 // Club 1210, Stuttgart

Hudson Taylor // 6th November 2015 // Club 1210, Stuttgart

The interaction the band and their fans had during that gig was so wonderful. There was so much respect in the audience and Harry and Alfie made it obvious that they appreciate the support. It was beautiful and I hope I captured that.

Alfie (Hudson Taylor) // 6th November 2015 // Club 1210, Stuttgart

Joe Astray // 10th November 2015 // Roxy, Ulm

Ryan O'Reilly // 10th November 2015 // Roxy, Ulm

Ryan O'Reilly and his band played one of those absolutely mindblowing shows. Their harmonies are on point, each musician is so good at their craft and it was just completely fascinating to watch them.

It was a bit painful to photograph them because I wanted to focus on listening to the amazing music, but it was enjoyable nonetheless. They lighting was tricky but I think some of shots turned out alright.

Tyler (Ryan O'Reilly) // 10th November 2015 // Roxy, Ulm

David (Ryan O'Reilly) // 10th November 2015 // Roxy, Ulm

Ryan O'Reilly // 10th November 2015 // Roxy, Ulm

Tyler (Ryan O'Reilly) // 10th November 2015 // Roxy, Ulm

Ryan O'Reilly // 10th November 2015 // Roxy, Ulm

Ryan O'Reilly // 10th November 2015 // Roxy, Ulm

Tommy Reilly & Ciaran Lavery // 18th November 2015 // Stuttgart

Hung out with Ciaran Lavery and his support act Tommy Reilly before their show in Stuttgart. We wandered through the streets which turned out to be a nice opportunity to take some snaps.

Tommy Reilly // 18th October 2015 // Café Galao, Stuttgart

Ciaran Lavery // 18th October 2015 // Café Galao, Stuttgart

Ben Barritt Band // 27th November 2015 // Kellerhalle, Karlsruhe

The legendary Ben Barritt brought his band to Karlsruhe and they delivered a spot on performance.
It was such a relaxed gig and so taking pictures didn't feel like working at all. 

Ben Barritt // 27th November 2015 // Kellerhalle, Karlsruhe

Chris Pate // 7th December 2015 // Spectrum Club, Augsburg

Chris Pate // 7th December 2015 // Spectrum Club, Augsburg

When the last gig of the year is one of your friends playing his first support tour, it's quite a lovely atmosphere to start out with.
Adding nice light and lots of space to move, you get the loveliest combination to do some work.

Chris Pate // 7th December 2015 // Spectrum Club, Augsburg


And that's it!
What a year!

I really hope you enjoyed this little best of.
I'd love to know which one of the images is your personal favourite. :)




Thank you for reading!











Credits // Text & Photography: Vanessa Jertschewske

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