On January 24th, I had the absolute pleasure of returning to photograph the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra’s January MainStage performance at the historic Michigan Theater in downtown Ann Arbor. The evening featured Grammy Award–winning pianist Michelle Cann, who joined the orchestra to perform Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23—a performance that felt both powerful and effortless all at once.
Watching her fingers glide across the piano keys with such ease was mesmerizing, and photographing that kind of artistry in motion is one of my favorite parts of concert photography. The Michigan Theater provided a stunning backdrop, with its warm light and classic architecture elevating every frame.
One of the most memorable moments of the night came near the end of the performance, when Michelle returned to the stage for a solo encore. The audience’s reaction was immediate and electric—people rose to their feet, applauding in awe. Capturing that shared moment between performer and audience is exactly why I love photographing live music and concerts.
As the evening progressed, I found myself doing one of my favorite times during a concert - quietly moving through the theater and turning my focus toward the audience. Near the end of a concert, people often forget about the camera. They’re fully immersed—leaning forward in their seats, eyes closed. Documenting those unscripted reactions allows me to tell a fuller story of the performance, one that includes not just the musicians on stage, but the experience of everyone in the room.
For me, concert photography is about more than just documentation of what’s happening onstage. It’s also about capturing atmosphere, emotion, and connection—between musicians, music, and audience.
A huge thank you to the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra for inviting me back to photograph another incredible concert. Working with organizations that value storytelling and visual documentation of the arts is deeply meaningful to me, and I’m grateful to continue collaborating with such a talented community of musicians and creatives!