John Mark McMillan : Des Moines by Liz Brown

DSC_3398.jpg
DSC_3392.jpg

Over the past 2 years, through a lot of work shooting shows and a little bit of serendipity, I've become friends with John Mark McMillan and his band. They always put on a good show, I'm always encouraged, and I always try to bring my camera.

DSC_3406.jpg
DSC_3468.jpg
DSC_3426.jpg
DSC_3595.jpg
DSC_4180.jpg
DSC_3621.jpg
DSC_3479.jpg
DSC_3685.jpg
DSC_4101.jpg
DSC_3676.jpg
DSC_3735.jpg

Billy Raffoul : Portraits by Liz Brown

DSC_1338.jpg
DSC_1335.jpg

This fall, I spent 3 days on one of Billy Raffoul's first tours. It was a blast spending time with these folks and I hope we get to do it again! In addition to shooting the shows, I took portraits two different days: Sunday in Omaha and Monday in Kansas City. On Sunday, the neighboring brewery allowed us to shoot inside and on Monday, we utilized the nearby buildings. Thanks to Billy, Alex, Sara, Justin, and Interscope! 

DSC_1892.jpg
DSC_1901.jpg
DSC_1341.jpg
DSC_1302.jpg
DSC_1893.jpg
DSC_1917.jpg
DSC_1275-2.jpg
DSC_1927.jpg
DSC_1930-2.jpg
DSC_1944.jpg
DSC_1945.jpg
DSC_2005.jpg

LANY fans : Minneapolis by Liz Brown

DSC_8905.jpg
DSC_8923.jpg

Minneapolis LANY shows hold a special place in my heart. It was in Minneapolis (this same venue actually) that I saw first LANY, opening for Oh Wonder in June 2016. That was also the same day I went on my very first adventure with Blake. My only camera was a disposable; I didn't even know that was a LANY "thing," but it was a happy accident. Jump forward to October 2017, and they're headlining a sold-out show. I'm with the same boy, but I've got a much larger camera and I'm actually working (how crazy is that?) and the boy and I are holding hands now.

DSC_8988.jpg

Minneapolis was also the first city I'd done LANY fan photos in, and I've grown to recognize some of the fans and they know me by name. (And I try hard to remember your names--there's a lot more of you than me!) The LANY fandom is like a little family and I love that so much. It's like having a bunch of little sibs at every show.

DSC_9030.jpg

Some of them had different hair colours this year and it was definitely colder than last fall's show, but their eyes were bright and their hands clutched roses. In front of First Avenue, they'd drawn with chalk the LANY rose and sweet notes to the band. They huddled under blankets and denim jackets, excitement building as the door time drew near.

DSC_8989.jpg

I said it last fall and I'll say it again: you humans are magic. You hold within you the power to change culture and change the world. You've done something rare: to have a fandom of a boy band that isn't catty or competitive, that cares about each other and that welcomes new humans in. That is, in small part, because of the band's attitude, but mostly, fam, that's because of YOU. That's what makes LANY special. It's how you look out for each other and befriend each other. It's how you welcomed me into the crowd when I had to shoot from there. You could've easily been irritated at the girl with the big camera, but you were kind. Thank you. It's how I can fly to New York to meet a girl from Germany and how we are friends because of a band. LANY fam is a fam.

DSC_9013.jpg

Keep being kind. Keep bringing roses and giving each other hugs. Be generous with your kind words. It's okay to cry, but remember to laugh, too, and don't be afraid to lose your mind about the things that you love (right now for me, it's potatoes). Stay up for sunsets and wake up early for sunrises. I promise you it's worth it every time. You're getting older since I first met you, but don't let the world tell you, don't let hard times tell you, that there isn't wonder still left to find. Bad days and bad boys and bad girls will break your hearts but I promise you there are good boys and good girls and good days out there. They are coming. Each year will get a little harder, but I promise you: it will get better, too. Hold on. Hang on. Keep on. Your time is now and it may not feel like it today but the world is yours. Your time is still coming, too. You've made the band who opened up 507 days before a sold-out headliner. You have a voice and you have power and you have wonder and excitement and a lot of beautiful things. Hold them close and hold everything else with open hands. You can change the world. I believe in you. ILYSB.

DSC_8987.jpg
DSC_8906.jpg
DSC_8910.jpg
DSC_8913.jpg
DSC_8915.jpg
DSC_8917.jpg
DSC_8919.jpg
DSC_8921.jpg
DSC_8924.jpg
DSC_8927.jpg
DSC_8929.jpg
DSC_8932.jpg
DSC_8933.jpg
DSC_8938.jpg
DSC_8941.jpg
DSC_8944.jpg
DSC_8991.jpg
DSC_8949.jpg
DSC_8950.jpg
DSC_8953.jpg
DSC_8955.jpg
DSC_8960.jpg
DSC_8961.jpg
DSC_8963.jpg
DSC_8967.jpg
DSC_8993.jpg
DSC_8969.jpg
DSC_8972.jpg
DSC_8974.jpg
DSC_8976.jpg
DSC_8977.jpg
DSC_8979.jpg
DSC_8981.jpg
DSC_8985.jpg
DSC_8986.jpg
DSC_8999.jpg
DSC_9010.jpg
DSC_8990.jpg
DSC_9015.jpg
the "Paul Klein pose"

the "Paul Klein pose"

DSC_9019.jpg
DSC_9021.jpg
DSC_8992.jpg
DSC_9038.jpg
DSC_9067.jpg
DSC_9078.jpg
DSC_9361.jpg
DSC_9662.jpg

LANY fans : Chicago by Liz Brown

DSC_7153.jpg

This LANY show was perhaps one of the more sentimental for me. Seven and a half years ago, almost to the day, I shot my very first show at this venue. I was wide-eyed and unsure and alone. Now I'm still wide-eyed (never lost your sense of wonder, fam) but a little more sure and less alone--Blake traveled with me and the LANY fam have become my friends. It's beautiful to walk by a line of people and hear your name. A band whose name I didn't know two years ago has been the conduit through which these now-friends know my name. 

Because I'm sentimental and full of words, here are a few for you, LANY fam. Life is hard--don't stop being curious or amazed or grateful. Work hard and be thankful. Learn to roll with change--if you can do this, you're golden. Keep your hands and your expectations open and your hopes and your head high. Competition is overrated; be kind and cultivate community. You need people. I need people. We need each other. Keep dancing. Always dance. Dance at shows. Dance in parking lots. Dance on rainy days and jump in puddles. Joy is important and the best way to find it is by being thankful. If you're an artist, keep practicing. It takes time. Good things take time. Give yourself grace and don't give up on yourself or your art or other people easily. This LANY fandom--this kindness and friendship among strangers--is a rarity. Value it, keep it, don't change. ILYSB.

DSC_7084.jpg
DSC_7086.jpg
DSC_7087.jpg
DSC_7088.jpg
DSC_7089.jpg
DSC_7091.jpg
DSC_7093.jpg
DSC_7095.jpg
DSC_7098.jpg
DSC_7099.jpg
DSC_7101.jpg
DSC_7102.jpg
DSC_7104.jpg
DSC_7106.jpg
DSC_7108.jpg
DSC_7113.jpg
DSC_7115.jpg
DSC_7116.jpg
DSC_7118.jpg
DSC_7119.jpg
DSC_7120.jpg
DSC_7122.jpg
DSC_7124.jpg
DSC_7126.jpg
DSC_7128.jpg
DSC_7130.jpg
DSC_7131.jpg
DSC_7135.jpg
DSC_7136.jpg
DSC_7138.jpg
DSC_7141.jpg
DSC_7144.jpg
DSC_7146.jpg
DSC_7147.jpg