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    • Creating a Fishwheel in Nikolai, Alaska for the National Park Service
    • Northern Summers in Michigan
    • Listening, Together in Ann Arbor for A2SO
    • Bulilding Bridges Gala in Detroit for the Pope Francis Center
    • Recording New Breed in Ann Arbor for Ghostly International & Ford Motor Co.
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Charlotte Smith

photographer based in ann arbor
  • home
  • photo essays
    • Creating a Fishwheel in Nikolai, Alaska for the National Park Service
    • Northern Summers in Michigan
    • Listening, Together in Ann Arbor for A2SO
    • Bulilding Bridges Gala in Detroit for the Pope Francis Center
    • Recording New Breed in Ann Arbor for Ghostly International & Ford Motor Co.
  • recent work
  • about
  • contact
  • 2026
    • Feb 5, 2026 Photographing the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra: January MainStage at the Michigan Theater Feb 5, 2026
    • Jan 31, 2026 University of Michigan Museum of Art - Art at Home - Match Day! Jan 31, 2026
    • Jan 19, 2026 Studio Portraits in Ann Arbor Jan 19, 2026
  • 2025
    • Dec 31, 2025 Sounds of the Season: Photographing Measure for Measure’s Holiday Concert and 2025 Reflections Dec 31, 2025
    • Dec 17, 2025 Leadership, Legacy, and a Homecoming at Eastern Michigan University Dec 17, 2025
    • Dec 4, 2025 An Evening with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra & Clara-Jumi Kang Dec 4, 2025
    • Nov 21, 2025 Feeling Good at UMMA! Feel Good Friday - Halloween Edition! Nov 21, 2025
    • Nov 6, 2025 Zoe’s Senior Portraits with Her Cat Hazel | Ann Arbor Graduation Photography Nov 6, 2025
    • Oct 30, 2025 Color and Sound: Photographing the Ann Arbor Symphony with Jacob Collier & Chris Thile Oct 30, 2025
    • Oct 14, 2025 Documenting the 2025 Season Opener with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra! Oct 14, 2025
    • Sep 30, 2025 Neha and Jordan's Pastafarian wedding in Ann Arbor Sep 30, 2025
    • Sep 23, 2025 Celebrating Community and Creativity at JJ’s Homecoming Open Mic in Detroit Sep 23, 2025
    • Sep 19, 2025 A love letter to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan Sep 19, 2025
    • Sep 11, 2025 Gran Fiesta 2025: Honoring Scholars, Celebrating Futures Sep 11, 2025
    • Aug 15, 2025 OddAnimalSpecimens, Endless Curiosity, and possibly one of my Coolest Shoots Ever! Aug 15, 2025
    • Jul 24, 2025 Inside the Work: University Voices Driving Change Jul 24, 2025
    • Jul 9, 2025 Photography celebrating 100 Years of the Benzonia Library & Mills Community House! Jul 9, 2025
    • Jun 26, 2025 A Surprise Engagement at Nichols Arboretum Jun 26, 2025
    • Jun 11, 2025 Photographing with Heart at the Building Bridges Gala : My Approach to Nonprofit Events Jun 11, 2025
    • May 28, 2025 Behind the Lens at the A2SO Season Finale! May 28, 2025
    • May 2, 2025 Celebrating Emma's Graduation with a Special Portrait Session May 2, 2025
    • Apr 22, 2025 Capturing the Magic - Capturing Magic: April MainStage with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra Apr 22, 2025
    • Apr 1, 2025 Turning the Page on March: A Look Back at My Favorite Photohoots Apr 1, 2025
    • Mar 29, 2025 Ducks and Armenian Coffee Mar 29, 2025
    • Mar 20, 2025 Portraits with Dr. Hanan and Life Update! Mar 20, 2025
Jacob Collier performing a concert with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra on stage with orange concert lighting.

Color and Sound: Photographing the Ann Arbor Symphony with Jacob Collier & Chris Thile

October 30, 2025 in Ann Arbor Photography, event photography, Concert photography, behind the scenes, Music and Arts

What a night! Photographing the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra with Jacob Collier and Chris Thile was such a treat — two absolute musical talents who somehow make performing look effortless and joyful at the same time.

Jacob Collier singing onstage with a piano during a concert with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra and Chris Thile.
Chris Thile singing into a microphone during a concert with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra with orange and purple stage lighting.

The energy in the hall was unreal. The audience was encouraged to be a part of the performance, singing along, interacting with Jacob, and that kind of atmosphere makes it so much fun to shoot — it gave me permission to play around more photographically and try new things.

An audience listening to Jacob Collier performing with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra at Hill Auditorium.
Suzier Collier conducting the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra on stage with purple and orange stage lighting.

The stage lighting was another highlight (literally) — so colorful!!!! - It made for the perfect playground to experiment and play. One of my favorite photographers, Jackie Lee Young, shoots for a number of musicians, but I especially love her concert photography with Khruangbin. I found myself channeling that same vibe during this show — leaning into the color and letting the light tell part of the story.

The audience being illuminated by blue and an orange spotlight during a concert with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra
Chris Thile sings during a concert with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra with red and orange stage lighting.
Jacob Collier plays the piano while musician Chris Thile sings on stage during a concert with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra

Just one of those nights that reminds me how lucky I am to do this work — where sound, light, and emotion all collide in the best way possible.

An audience applauds during a concert with Jacob Collier and the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra.
Chris Thile performing on stage during a concert with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra with multi-colored stage lighting.

Thank you to everyone at the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra for inviting me back to document the arts and the joy they bring to our community. It’s a privilege to capture how music and the arts create connection and remind us that creativity is a fundamental part of the human experience—enduring through every era and challenge. I’m so grateful to do what I love alongside people who care so deeply about their craft.

Tags: Ann Arbor symphony orchestra, Jacob Collier, Chris Thile, Suzie Collier, Ann Arbor Concert Photography, Live Music Photography, Performance Photography, Michigan Photographer, creative photography, event storytelling, music and arts ann arbor, A2SO, colorful photography
← Zoe’s Senior Portraits with Her Cat Hazel | Ann Arbor Graduation PhotographyDocumenting the 2025 Season Opener with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra! →
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email: charlottesmithphotoA2@gmail.com
phone: (734)881-3753