Bellingham photographer | Endfair 2010 at Western

I photographed the last few hours of Endfair, a free concert hosted on south campus at Western Washington University. I am saddened that I missed out on shooting the other talented acts! The evening was closed out by Saadi, from NY, who quipped that “people in New York don’t dance. Keep on dancing, you four,” and Macklemore, who first said “Bellingham came out to have a party!” and ended his concert with everyone’s favorite words: “Bellingham is my new favorite place in the world.”

Western students watch as Saadi, a New York-based act performs at Endfair May 15, 2010. Photo by Daniel Berman

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Seattle music photographer | Bumbershoot 2009 Day 3 photos

Macklemore performs on the Fisher Green stage on the final day of Bumbershoot Monday September 7, 2009 in Seattle. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

Well, it’s over now. Bumbershoot. It only lasts three days these years (instead of the older four day schedule), and it just flies by. As I sat in the echoey walkways of Memorial Stadium filing my last photos from Franz Ferdinand and Modest Mouse, it really hit me: Bumbershoot is over

During the day I might be feeling tired from lugging camera gear all over, but each evening I tried to reflect on how terrific an assignment Bumbershoot is, and how privileged I felt to document it all three days. It is a special event each year, and as the last band plays the last show of the festival, I try to remember to put down my cameras and just take it all in. Something for me, and nobody else.

Seattle music photographer | Bumbershoot 2009 Day 2 photos

Jamison Hanson, 4, splashes on the mainstage floor, which was soaked with rainwater at the start of day 2 of Bumbershoot Saturday September 6, 2009 in Seattle. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

The second day of Bumbershoot 2009 was a lot of fun, despite the ever-looming rain. Even when the sun did come out, rain still fell off and on. Nonetheless, any chance I get to see this much good music in a single day is a treat.

From those I had seen before (Handful of Luvin, U.SE.) to those I had not (Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Michael Franti and Spearhead, the second day of Bumbershoot was just a blast.

Seattle music photographer | Bumbershoot 2009 Day 1 photos

I was lucky enough this year to be credentialed for one of the coolest events all year in Seattle: Bumbershoot. Between the dozens of music stages, the performing arts spectacles, and the myriad of other activities, Bumbershoot is a visually-stimulating environment. It can really only be explored by wandering. My favorite pictures from yesterday are from when I just kept wandering the massive Seattle Center grounds.

In all, I shot something like 10 bands yesterday in as many hours, and will be doing the same thing for the next two days. It’s like the musical olympics.

Hotels perform inside the EMP Sky Church during day 1 of Bumbershoot Saturday September 5, 2009 in Seattle. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com