Pink Fuzzy Animals in Arizona

I waited a week before sitting down to write this.  I wanted to make sure that I was well rested. That what I put in this was the absolute truth. I wanted to give myself the time I needed for the high of being at a show to wear off. I think you all deserve that much from me.

I spent last Saturday evening at the Rock Bar in Scottsdale, Arizona with the band Pink Fuzzy Animals (referred to as PFA for the remainder of this post). I went to this show for a lot of reasons, but mostly, I went because I missed the guys from 100 Monkeys. And getting to see even a few of them in my state was not an opportunity I was going to miss.

But, I also went because something has been seriously bothering me. See, there used to be a handful of really great photographers that frequented 100 Monkeys shows, and now that the band broke up and partially reformed as PFA, I don't think a single one of those photographers have been to a PFA show. Granted, some have new obligations (like being a tour manager/photographer for Not a Planet) and truly cannot make it. But I wonder about the others. Where are they now? I really hope that they are happy wherever they are. I'm not pompous enough to think that I am one of the "greats" that used to be around. But, I would like to think that I fit somewhere in the "good-ish photographer" group that used to shoot 100 Monkeys shows.  In light of that, I was not going to let this chance pass me by, the chance to photograph the band and share those pictures with all of you.

Here's how the evening went:

When my friends and I got to the bar an hour before the doors were set to "open" there wasn't a soul outside waiting to be let in. The only person inside the bar was the bartender, and after inquiring, we were told there was no need to go back outside and wait.  A short time later, the guys came in with Graupner's puppy, Pepper, in tow.  Pepper came straight up to us to say hello, and after a quick chat with the guys and helping them find a nearby gas station, my fiends and I sat back and waited until it was time for PFA to take the stage. Over the next few hours, we all listened to the opening band, stopped to chat with the guys a few times, and pondered the laid-back atmosphere we were all indulging in. It was weird.

Sitting there, we compared our previous experiences with the ones we were having this night. How throughout the course of the evening, there was never a line to wait in to get in. Fans trickled in while the opening band played. There were no crazy girls flocking to and smothering the guys despite the fact that they spent the entire time just hanging out. There were a few respectful fans who took some time to chat, but no one hounded, no one clung, and no one annoyed.  We talked of how the dance floor cleared between the opening band and when PFA took the stage. Or how, for the first time ever (photo pit experiences aside) we didn't have to stand for hours just to secure positions near the stage. Like I said, weird.

I have to admit, when PFA took the stage, I was really nervous. I wondered if I had set myself up for failure. If hearing the new guys sing my beloved songs would be too much to handle. If I'd be able to do the new guys justice in my pictures, knowing that there was a part of my heart that just wasn't in it. My emotions were having a jolly ol' tug-of-war, chastising me for not giving the new guys a chance to prove themselves and then chastising me for enjoying the fact that they actually might. I knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that the Ben's would rock the stage, but would the new guys fall short of my expectations? Could they possibly live up to them?

And then I caught myself.

Mat and Rob aren't "new guys." Or if they are, then they are all new guys, even Graupner and Johnson. Because this was a new band. I was at a PFA show, not a 100 Monkeys show.

And when I actually let that sink in, I discovered it was easy to just let go and listen to the music and take my pictures. I owed it to PFA to give them a chance. I owed it to myself to have a really good time. And I owed it to all of you to take the best pictures I was capable of taking. Heck, I'd spent 15 minutes with the bar's "light guy" making sure the lighting was as good as it could get for the performance, why not take advantage of it? (Selfish motivations brought that conversation about - they'd used red lights on the opening band, and red lights suck when it comes to concert photography)

PFA played two sets, mixing our old favorites (Shy Water, Smoke, Sleeping Giants, The Monkey Song, Wandering Mind, Orson Brawl, Future Radio, to name a few) with a rousing cover of Spencer Bell's Strangers, and a few PFA original songs like Shooting Star and Wicked Little Things. Ben Graupner even crooned a bluesy improv called Truck Stop Lovin'. And it rocked. It really, truly, seriously rocked. Rob and Mat must have spent months working impossibly long hours learning all the 100 Monkeys songs, and all those hours really paid off. The group sounded tight, together, and terrific. And more than anything, they had a fabulous time. Between sets, we stood around on the bar's patio talking with the band. When the second set ended, rather than the customary curtain call / group bow, the guys huddled by the drum set and indulged in a group hug instead.

Once the gear was stored safely in the band's vehicles, the guys returned to the bar and stayed until closing, hanging out, posing for pictures, and engaging everyone who was still there in spirited conversations despite how tired they must have been. There were conversations about wine, zombie pictures to pose for, hugs passed around more than once, talks of travelling, and magic tricks to be performed. And in that time, any tiny little piece of me that might have held back during the show, refusing to accept that the Ben's had new band-mates, dissolved, completely surrendering to the charm and wit of Mat and Rob.  All this leaves me happy to announce that, despite the strange name, I am officially a Pink Fuzzy Animals fan.

So, what does all this mean for the future of my photography? Same thing as always, of course. I'll continue to work with clients locally, but when I am able, I will be in the audience at future PFA shows. Who knows, maybe I'll even get to see you there!

If you want to see all the pictures I took at the PFA show, you can check them out on Facebook: Serenity Inez Photography . Here are a few to whet your appetite.

© Serenity Inez Photography

The copyrights are held by the original holder, Serenity Inez Photography, unless otherwise noted. No reposting, commercial use, or derivative works are allowed without the express consent of the copyright holder.

IF you would like to post these pictures somewhere, please email me at serenity_inez_photography@yahoo.com.

Where I Stand

I chose to remain silent through the chaos the last three months have brought to the 100 Monkeys fandom, because there are enough thoughts and opinions floating around to fill the Pacific Ocean without adding mine. The reality of this situation is this: not a single one of us feels the same way about what happened. We each have our own thoughts, emotions, theories, and heartaches. We have all heard different stories, watched blame be foisted on anyone and everyone imaginable, but not one of us truly knows every detail of what happened to lead us to where we are today.  The best  - and only - thing we can do is to decide where to go from here.

As I prepare to embark on my first show featuring members of the now defunct home we all once lived in, I believe it's time to tell you where I stand.

I stand precisely where I always have.

I stand with 100 Monkeys.  You know I love 100 Monkeys. I will always love them. I will love their music. I will love their members. And I will love the memories they gave me and the opportunities they will give me to make more.

What this means is really quite simple. When able, I will travel to see a live performance by any member of the band. Yes, I'm going to see the Ben's first. No, that does not mean that I like them better or that I am "taking their side." Or that I am solely a Pink Fuzzy Animal's fan now and hate the rest of the guys. I adore Uncle Larry, Jerad and Jackson. I will go see them perform again as soon as I am able. In fact, if they were the ones performing in Scottsdale next weekend, I'd be heading to their show and not Pink Fuzzy Animals. It is sheer coincidence that has me seeing the Ben's before the others. Sheer coincidence and nothing more.

And, I'll let you in on a little secret. I'm terrified of going to see Pink Fuzzy Animals. I'm worried that it will hurt to see the Ben's on stage singing the songs that I used to revel in during 100 Monkeys shows. I worry that behind my camera lens, tears will sneak down my cheeks. I'm worried those tears will blind me and inhibit my ability to get good photographs of the show. I'm worried that the magic will be gone. Above all, I'm worried that the loss of what 100 Monkeys had and might've come to have will be too much to bear. But I'm going to face those fears, and pray they don't keep me from having the best time I've had in months. I have faith that the Ben's and the new guys will not let me down.

For those who wondered why I kept my mouth shut thus far, I will admit it was not easy, and, in the end, my silence cost me. It caused me to lose followers on Twitter and likers on Facebook. It might have even caused some of my friends to pull away while I avoided debates about who was to blame and how angry everyone was. I won't lie and say it doesn't sting. It does. In the end though, I can't make you stay a fan of my work. If my silence drove you away, I apologize. Please know that my intention was simply to let the bedlam settle. Some of you may think that because I haven't said anything that I feel nothing. The opposite couldn't be more true. I am slapped in the face daily by the dissolution of the band. Call me a girl and an emotional ball of chaos, but I still cry over them weekly. And I miss those boys and the hopes and expectations I had for them as a group that have slowly withered and died over the last 90 days. It's been ugly, and I prefer to grieve in solitude. I'm sorry if that drove you away.  My hope for the future is that you will look back at the pictures I took at 100 Monkeys shows and be reminded of every emotion you felt while you were in their presence. It's what I do. It's what gets me through the rough spots.


Looking to the future, I firmly believe what I said before: what matters now is what we do from here.

So, for me, I'm going. I'm going to watch Pink Fuzzy Animals. I'm going to enjoy seeing a few of the guys and the friends I have made through them for the first time in over 9 months. And when it is all over, I will still be here. I'll still be standing precisely where I am, with the guys - all of them - and whatever creative endeavor they undertake. I hope you'll stand with me.

Dear 100 Monkeys, Where Do We Go from Here?

There are moments in our lives that, while we are living them, may seem inconsequential, potentially even meaningless. Only in retrospect, when we look back on the larger image of who we are and what we have become, can we see what an impact those moments have had on our lives.  

I’ve made no secret of the impact the band 100 Monkeys has had on my life. They helped change how I see the world around me. They brought me new, intensely fantastic friendships. They reminded me of who I wanted to be and gave me the faith that I could in fact become that person. They were a lifeline when I was going through some of the worst days of my life. They gave me opportunities to shine and to embrace what I love. Their music and antics kept a smile on my face while the world around me shattered.  They helped rekindle my passion for photography. They changed me.

For all these things, I will not only forever be in their debt, but I will also always, always be loyal.

I won’t say that the news of Jerad Anderson taking a less active role in the band (ie. not playing at upcoming shows or recording new material with 100 Monkeys while he focuses his career in other directions) or the announcement that Jackson Rathbone has decided to move on from the band completely doesn’t sting. I’d be a liar and a fool not to admit that it hurts my heart. But... 

But I will say, unequivocally, I could not be more proud of both of them than I am right now.

Each of us have crossroads in our lives. The choices we make, the directions we choose to go in, are decisions that only we - as individuals - can control.  So I applaud Jerad and Jackson for being adventurous and choosing to explore. I hope that they find contentment and happiness, fulfillment and enrichment as they travel down the paths they’ve chosen. I pray they are met with success in every endeavor they set their minds to. And I believe that they will always be a part of who I am.

To those of you who have chosen to desert the band at this moment, I offer you my condolences. I know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that if you leave this family of fans and friends because one or two members of the band have chosen to become less active in 100 Monkeys, that you are only cheating yourself. In the end, it is you who loses.

To those of you on the brink of abandonment, I would ask that you look within yourself.  Think of standing in the crowd, waiting for the show to begin. The lights go down, the expectation grows. You wonder what songs they’ll play tonight.  Will they play your favorite? What song will they open with?  How many will be in their set? Will they smile at you from the stage? Sing a line while looking directly at you and only you? What are your chances of snagging a copy of the set list at the end of the show? Catching a guitar pick when it's tossed into the audience? Will they sign autographs when it's all over?

Think about what each individual member has given of themselves, simply to see you smile. Touring while ill, leaving their homes and their families to travel the world to bring you music and laughter and joy. Think of all the amazing people you have met and places you have gone just because of them.

Or maybe for one reason or another, you’ve never been to a show, but you absolutely adore their music. I ask you to think back and remember. Remember the very first time you heard them sing. Remember listening and falling in love with their sound, their lyrics, their diversity. Remember devouring every new track on their albums as you heard it all the way through for that first time. Remember the thrill in your gut as you waited for a new single to be released, for a new video to debut, for new tour dates to be announced.

While you remember all these moments, ask yourself one simple question: Do you truly have the heart to abandon them now?

If you find that your answer is yes, I wish you peace. I hope that you find happiness as you move on. But above all else, I hope that you never, ever forget the bliss that 100 Monkeys brought into your life.

To those of us who are choosing to remain faithful, I’d like to say, hello friends. I know that together we will continue to eagerly await their next single, their next video, and the release of new tour dates. As new people enter our lives, you and I, we will introduce them to our 100 Monkeys.  We will continue to share our memories, our experiences with the band, our enthusiasm, and always - always - the music.  We will keep introducing strangers and inducting the masses.  We will carry on, just as we always have. I look forward to seeing you when the band plays and we attend the same shows. I can’t wait to meet each of you, to see the beautiful faces of those I’ve already met again, and to talk to you all while we stand in line at the venues before the show or mingle in the crowds in the aftermath.

At the end of the day, the spirit of 100 Monkeys lives on, and I am proud to call you my friends. 

In parting, I leave you with a few of my favorite shots of J & J on stage.

 

© Serenity Inez Photography

The copyrights are held by the original holder, Serenity Inez Photography, unless otherwise noted. No reposting, commercial use, or derivative works are allowed without the express consent of the copyright holder.

IF you would like to post these pictures somewhere, please email me at serenity_inez_photography@yahoo.com.

 https://www.facebook.com/SerenityIPhotography

Precious Moments

The year 2011 taught me a great deal, but the most important thing I learned is that you can never, ever take for granted the precious moments you are given. Cherish them.

During my precious moments, I had the honor and privilege of making tremendous friends, indulging in my one true passion (photography), and traveling to new and exciting places.  None of this would have been possible if it weren't for a group of guys who sing their hearts out, work their butts off, and generally just keep me smiling - the members of the band 100 Monkeys.  Between their amazing shows and the grace and kindness of their manager, Lani Sarem, I was truly blessed. 

Now, over on Facebook, I bribed people to "Like" my photography page with the promise of never before seen pictures of 100 Monkeys.  It's time to honor that bribe/promise.

Here are a handful of my favorite shots of 100 Monkeys during the tail end of the U.S. portion of their 2011 Liquid Zoo World Tour.  Enjoy!

© Serenity Inez Photography

The copyrights are held by the original holder, Serenity Inez Photography, unless otherwise noted.   No reposting, commercial use, or derivative works are allowed without the express consent of the copyright holder.

Please email me at serenity_inez_photography@yahoo.com if you would like to use these images and/or repost them on your website. Thank you!

Photography Print Prices

For anyone interested in purchasing prints of my photography, first, let me say thank you!  Your interest humbles me, and I am deeply grateful. 



Here are the details on prices and how to order:


At this time, I am only offering two sizes of prints. This will hopefully expand over time. However, if there is a size you would like to order that you do not see listed, please let me know, and I will look into pricing options for you.

As an incentive to buy before the holidays, these prices will be in effect only until December 31, 2011. Prices will go up on January 1, 2012.

• 8 by 10 inches: $12.00 *
• 11 by 14 inches: $16.00 *

* These  prices do NOT include shipping, as those prices will vary by destination.  Estimated shipping and handling prices are as follows:

• U.S.:  $7.00 - $10.00 per order
• International: - $15.00 - $20.00 per order

Your actual shipping and handling prices will be determined at the time you place your order.

* * From now through February 14, 2012, when you order 5 prints, I'll send you a 6th one - of your choice - for FREE!

Your prints will be either in color or black and white, as seen on my Facebook page or here on my blog (no watermarks or tags will be on your printed copies). 

At this time, the only payments I will be accepting are through PayPal.  Payments must be received in full prior to shipment.

Please contact me at serenity_inez_photography@yahoo.com with all questions and orders.

For a complete portfolio, please visit my photography page on Facebook: Serenity Inez Photography

Last of the Cosmopolitan

The kindness of strangers never ceases to amaze me. In a world where it is hard to trust even your neighbors, I have found myself, time and time again, surrounded by people who have no real reason to extend kindness to me, let alone offer friendship. And yet they do. Unquestioningly, uninhibitedly, there you are, supporting me, encouraging me, sustaining me. Life is nothing without great people to share your experiences with, and I've found some of the greatest on earth.

There are more than a thousand reasons that I love the band 100 Monkeys, and with every encounter I have with them, I find a thousand more. But, shining through and around every single one of those is this simple truth: the others out there, others like me who are dedicated to this group of men, are some of the most amazing people on the planet. Through this band, I have found friendships that transcend fandom and seep into the very pores of my existence. I have found a sisterhood, a home, a place to call my own. You know who you are, and what you've done to earn my gratitude. My only hope is that when you think of me, it is with the same fondness with which I think of you.

Well... enough with the mushy stuff. :)  Let's get on with the rest of the post, shall we?

Here are my remaining never-before-seen-or-posted pictures from the 100 Monkeys performance at The Book and Stage in Las Vegas on April 30, 2011:

Click on the images for a slideshow - to see the images in their original size, click on the words "Show Original" in the bottom left corner of the slideshow.

© Serenity Inez Photography

The copyrights are held by the original holder, Serenity Inez Photography, unless otherwise noted.   No reposting, commercial use, or derivative works are allowed without the express consent of the copyright holder.

Please email me at serenity_inez_photography@yahoo.com if you would like to use these images and/or repost them on your website. Thank you!

Growing Pains

So, to say I’m relatively “new” to the concert photography world would be an understatement. To say that I am “barley getting my toes wet” would be much more accurate.  I’ve photographed concerts since I was 14, but I’ve never attempted to do it in an effort to share my pictures with anyone, let alone the world at large. The last year of my life has changed all that.  Recent events and decisions have propelled me forward, however, and I find myself stumbling blindly along a road I had previously only dared to hope I’d glimpse, and never really thought I’d get to touch, let alone travel on. Here I am, living my dream, and still trying to figure things out one day at a time.

Let me preface all of this with kudos to the people who have been instrumental in my progress.  You see, because of the kindness and courtesy afforded to me by the management, staff, and members of 100 Monkeys, opportunities and doors keep opening. With the help of fellow photographer, Jodie Platz, what could have been painful experiences turned into brilliant adventures.  There are so many others, whose support, encouragement, and unfailing affection have helped me hold my head up when I want to hang it in shame. They’re my strength, they’re the ones who keep me going, who believe in me. Jill, Iris,  Hope, Angel, Kenzie, Mickey, Jennifer, and everyone else I’m neglecting to mention – thank you!

But, there are still some things that I have to do and figure out on my own. Like insurance.

I understand companies wanting to protect themselves from lawsuits.  But to require a freelance, broke, unaffiliated, not-gonna-make-a-dime-off-these-photos, photographer to carry two MILLION dollars worth of insurance seems a little excessive to me.

Apparently, it’s the industry norm, though.

This weekend, I’ll be attending and shooting Mix 94.1’s Bite of Las Vegas.  Performing at the show are 100 Monkeys (the real reason I’ll be there), Colbie Callait, Michelle Branch, Mat Kearny, O.A.R., Imagine Dragons, and a handful of other local artists.  And I’ll be there - in the photo pit.

How?

I contacted the marketing director for CBS Radio and explained who I was and what I wanted to do. She replied with an industry-ish question that I (still) don’t know how I should have answered. So, in my ignorance, I explained that I am a freelance – “amateur” – photographer and was greeted with a few weeks of silence.

So, I tried again. Humbly, I explained that I was trying to build my portfolio; that I understood if it went against company policy to allow someone of my less-than-stellar background the same access they’re granting to professionals; that my hope was maybe they’d be willing to take a chance on an unknown photographer. She replied with an, “I’ll get back to you.”

Another week went by, bringing us to the Monday that just happened – five days before the event begins (10/11/11), and I was mentally grumbling about the unprofessionalism and lack of correspondence, having a lovely little pity party, you know? While I was doing this, in my email inbox waited an email stating that I’d been granted a photo pass, free admission to the show, access to the photo pit for the first three songs of each set, and all I had to do was sign this agreement and send it back.

So, I reveled in the news, did a little jig, and didn’t read the fine print of the agreement until the following day.  It was then that I noticed the section detailing the amount of insurance I am required to carry - insurance that I have to provide the radio station with proof of prior to the Saturday morning.

Two million dollars. I mentioned that, right?

I panicked. Who the heck was going to insure me for that much? Where did I even start? Oh my goodness, this was going to cost a fortune.

So, I took to Google. Did you know there are thousands of insurance companies that will insure you for a day? I didn’t.  But, I found some.  The type of insurance is called Event Insurance, and apparently, it’s pretty popular – used by events, like weddings, festivals, concerts, fairs, rodeos, you know that kinda thing.  I figured since I was photographing one of these said events, this was where I needed to be. 

So, I attempted to get quotes from a handful of different sites, and found myself completely stumped. They wanted to know what kind of security the event would have, how many security personnel, the size of the venue, the age range of anticipated attendees, the number of anticipated attendees, who was responsible for security for this event in the past, how many and what type of lawsuits had been filed as a result of this event in previous years.  Like I know ANY of that?!  And then they wanted anywhere from $260-$1,160 just to insure me. For. One. Day.

I was about to go crazy.

Then I thought – I can’t be the only one who’s ever had to deal with this. If there are this many insurance companies, there have to be at least twice this many photographers who’ve had to deal with the exact same thing, right? So, I took to online forums. And that is where I found my answer, my savior.

Rather than insuring the one-day “event,” I would insure myself as a photographer for an entire year. For the same price – payable in installments over the course of a year – I can insure myself and my equipment and only spend half of the largest quote I found at the one-day-insurance places. 

The company with the best reviews was Tom C. Pickard & Company, Incorporated, and I gotta say, they live up to their reputation. They’re based out of California, and the people there were the most helpful, fabulous people I think I’ve ever spoken with.  I wrote down a list of questions I needed answered, requested a quote online, and was contacted within an hour. I explained to the woman who contacted me that I was brand new to all of this and completely uneducated. She walked me through every teeny tiny thing, answered every single question, gave me advice, and never once talked down to me or seemed judgmental about my ignorance.  

What started out as a nightmare ended with me feeling a little more informed, a lot more prepared, and a little lighter in the pockets.

Let me leave you with this:

When I started down this road, I didn’t anticipate shelling out money just to be able to take pictures at concerts. I expected that my photography-related expenses would mostly be limited to equipment, software, travel, and lodging. Then something monumental happens and I freaked out.  I looked at this expense and thought, “I can’t do this.”

I almost gave up.  I almost passed up a phenomenal opportunity just because I didn’t know what the heck I was doing.  This is where friendship comes in handy.  Good friends don’t let you give up on your dreams just because they’re not happening the way you think they should.  Good friends don’t let you quit.  Good friends kick you in the butt and tell you to push through.

So here is what I learned: You can’t give up. Ever.  When your dream stares you in the face and says, “Come and get me,” are you just going to stand there and stare at it? Or are you going to jump the hurdles? Crawl through the mud? Wade through the crap (literally, sometimes – thank you, Anaheim)? Fork over some of your hard earned money?

Ultimately are you willing to sacrifice to live your dream? Because it won’t come easy, and it won’t be cheap.

Nothing truly worth having or doing is ever easy, but it’s worth it.