I was commissioned to photograph a brilliant night of live music in one of York’s most intimate venues, Rise, by Will Dreyfus — a powerhouse local musician and frontman of Hyde Family Jam. He was joined on stage by the equally talented Phil Grainger and Dan Webster, making it a stacked lineup of original music from some of the city’s favourite artists.
The venue was packed, the atmosphere electric, and the lighting… let’s say challenging. Tight space, strong contrasts, and fast-changing colours meant I had to work carefully to balance technical control with spontaneity.
Despite the conditions, I was able to capture the heart of the night — connection, emotion, and that raw energy that only happens when performers are completely locked in with their audience. These kinds of gigs are exactly why I love event photography: small space, big moments.
