Through The Looking Lens Photography

Panic! at the Disco://:fun.://:Funeral Party://: concert review

2011-06-19T22:13:00.000-07:00

This past Friday I had the pleasure to photograph Panic! at the disco , fun. and Funeral Party at the Marquee Theater. It was about 106 degrees outside and you'd think it'd be cooler inside the venue, but forget that. All three bands turned up the heat and melted my make-up off my face, at what ended up being a sold out show. I think I saw about 8 people faint or had to be carried out of the massive crowd because of heat exhaustion that night.

Funeral Party was the first band to kick off the night. Though I've heard of the bands name before, I've never actually heard their music. After their 30 minute performance I'd have to say I enjoyed their sound and energy on the stage. Definitely a band that should be checked out. Go to their site here.

Up next was fun., and of course the crowd welcomed Nate Ruess, the lead singer, back home. They started their set off with some of the crowd favorites off their debut album "Aim and Ignite" as well as playing a new song that they have been working on for their upcoming album. This being the second time I've seen fun., I got to say that they had just as much energy and "fun" as they did when they headlined in their last tour. They are true artist and performers.

Near the end of their set they claimed that, that crowd was the best so far on tour. Usually when bands say that I laugh because I feel like they most bands must say that at every show to make their fans feel good. But I genuinely believed them this time around. The crowd was actually jumping, singing along and dancing around to them. The crowd was almost as entertaining as the band was. Which is very rare for me to say because most Arizona crowds I've been around have been sooooo dull.

Last but not least. Panic! at the Disco, the headlining band came on stage and played their set about over an hour. Playing a variety of songs off all three of their albums, including their most recent album "Vices & Virtues", which dropped this past March.

One of the highlights of P!ATD set that night was playing their song "C'mon" with Nate Ruess and Andrew Dost of fun. According to Panic!'s humble front man Brendon Urie, the boys of fun. were the ones who really did all the work on the song. If that's true, then they did an excellent job at creating the song because it complements the two bands very different styles so much.

One of my favorite things about P!ATD's performance was how the stage was set up. It was so theatrical and seemed very them. It had a very steam-punk-gothic feel to the stage, complete with industrial-size stage lights, over-sized hanging light bulbs, parachute-like marquee curtains and organ pipes. Along with all the band mates all dress up as fine gentlemen. With a stage this theatrical you'd automatically assume that the band is compensating for lack of talent or energy, but not in this case.P!ATD had so much energy on stage that if you bottled it up, it would explode from its container. Between the screams that Brendon Urie whipped out at the end of his verses through out the set and a random guitar off, Panic! shines out as true performers.

To conclude this review I'm want you all to check out Panic! at the disco , fun. and Funeral Party music, you won't regret it.

Panic! at the Disco

fun.

Funeral Party

I know, lots of photos this time around.Hope ya'll liked them!

Love, Angelica.

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros//Concert Review

2011-05-08T23:57:00.000-07:00

Again, late on this whole blog thing. Finales are coming up and blah blah blah...

Anyways

So last Sunday at the McDowell Mountain Music Festival, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros was the last band for the festival. How can I put this...if you have not heard of this band, you must listen to them now and go ahead and buy yourself a ticket to the next show they have. These guys are phenomenal, they where just in Arizona on the Railroad revival tour (which I missed out on) just a week before and still came back to help put on a show at the Festival, which was raising money for a couple of charities in Arizona.

Even though you could tell these guys where exhausted before they came on stage, they still gave over 100 percent of their energy and gave a amazing performance. Besides playing almost all their songs off their album, they also played a couple of songs that were in the works (which I must say just from the 3 songs they sang, I already know it's going to be a great album). For their popular song Home, Jade was gone (not sure why) so Alexander (the lead singer, no there is no body in the band named Edward Sharpe) invited fans who knew the words to come up and sing with the band.

Gotta give the kid in the yellow shirt/hippie dad shirt his props. He had a busted up foot and came to this festival. Got to love those kind of fans. Of course everyone sang to this song and wend crazy for it.

For those of you that don't know what Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros sounds like, I guess the best way to describe it as....the 1970's folk music meets the 2000's. Their music reminds me a lot of the era. It's a fresh yet familiar sound.

One of the things that I must say I admire about the band is how much they truly love their fans. Most bands kind of shrug off fans as if they are possessive idiots but these guys don't. When I saw a partially crazed fan (who pushed her way to the front) ask to get a picture with the lead singer, he actually stood there and explained why he couldn't do that. Usually most lead singers brush fans off and keep walking like most band members I've seen do. Everyone must respect someone with that much genuine care for fans. These days I fill like most bands that start getting just a little popular, start to forget who put them there. Fans. Doesn't matter if they've been there since the first demo release or got turned on by the radio. Fans are fans.

So there's my little rant on that. Enjoy the pics! Again, wasn't able to use my Canon beast. Thank God for Panasonic!

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Arcade Fire://Concert Review

2011-04-14T16:14:00.000-07:00

Once in a blue moon does a band appear and are truly original and utterly astounding.

Arcade Fire would be just that. Their music is manna from heaven. A God send. They are not a footnote or a paragraph and don't just fill a niche or a void in the ongoing story of music. They have an entire chapter!

This past Wednesday I had to opportunity to see them perform at the Comerica Theater here in Arizona, all without having to spend a cent on a ticket. How I did this was by volunteering to help with the Partners In Health booth. If you have never heard of this amazing non-profit organization, you must check them out. It is a cause that I am truly believe in. Not only are they making a difference in poor countries around the world, but they have created stability in helping them out.

Before I tell you about the ringing in my ears from the concert I want to take a sec to tell you about Partners in Health. They started in 1987, first starting their mission in Haiti. They work in several other countries as well including the U.S.. They provide free health care and education for the people of Haiti. 90% of the employees in Haiti are Haitian. Unlike other organizations, they listen to what they people say they need, not telling them what they need. And are proactive with Haiti's Government.

If you didn't know Regine, one of the lead singers of Arcade Fire, is Haitian. Though she was born and raised in Montreal, both of her parents are from Haiti. How the band became involved in with PIH was by reading the book "Mountains beyond mountains" by Tracey Kidder. The book is about PIH and the CEO founder Dr. Paul Farmer. I have read the book myself and I recommend everyone to read it (which means a lot because I hate reading). It is a wonderful book that is both inspiring and moving.

The group of volunteers and I got to sit and talk with Markia, one of the violinist that travels with Arcade Fire, and just hearing her talk about PIH and how involved the band is and seeing the passion that even she had for the organization was great.

Anyways back to the concert. (But seriously check out Partners In Health, they are an amazing organization).

My ears are still ringing of the phenomenal sound of Arcade Fire. The best tinnitus there is.

I've been in love with Arcade Fire for the past 3/or 4 years. I wish I was cool and be able to say I've been listening to them since I was 13 like my hipster friends. But sadly I can not.

The screen on stage light up with the start of an old fashion movie theater "Feature Presentation"title

Arcade Fire opened up with "Month of May," with full energy. From then on they continued to play a variety of songs off their new and pass albums. Through out the entire show all the members of the band played with 110 percent of their energy and passion. Even when one person only had a couple of notes to play they would still be rocking out. The best part of watching them perform was seeing one of the members dance while playing the xylophone.

What I find one of the most unique thing about the band, is that majority of the bands members rotate playing instruments. Regine (1/2 of the lead singers and co-founder of the band) seemed to be everywhere when it came to playing on stage. First she was playing the drums, then the piano, then became the front woman singing, then the accordion, piano again, then some kind of instrument that I had never seen in my life before.

At the end of the set they played their hit Wake Up. I personally love it when a band plays that one song everyone in the room knows and loves. Mainly because of all the people freaking out and finally getting their butts off their seat and dancing. Then they encored with Ready to Start and Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains). Sprawl II being my favorite off their newest album "The Suburbs"

In a nutshell, if not number one, I'd have to say that is the top 3 best concerts I've ever been too. The energy, sound and passion coming from the band that night still makes me geek out when I tell people about it. Definitely put them on my list of bands that sound better live than on their CD I recommend everyone reading this to check this band out. If you don't like them, then your tone deaf or have no taste in good music ;P They aren't your generic,run of the mill band.Check.Them.Out.

Here are some of the pictures I caught from that night. Didn't use my professional camera (I knew I wouldn't be able to bring it in), so I used my Panasonic Lumix to capture the overwhelming greatness from that night.

Enjoy!

Love,
Angelica

Win a FREE 5x5 print - framed and matted!!

2011-03-30T22:26:00.000-07:00

Help me reach my goal of 2,500 dollars for Invisible Children and you automatically be entered to win a FREE 5x5 print - matted and framed- of the picture below:

Help me get to $1,500 by next Monday (April 4th) and another lucky person will have the chance to win a print-framed and matted- as well!

Please remember to NOT put yourself down as anonymous if you plan on being entered for the contest. Also, when I thank you in the comments below the page, mention that you are a participant to win the 5x5 print. Remember: To be entered you must make a minimum donation of 5 dollars.

Stay tuned on my Facebook page for the announcement of the winners.

Please pass on this information

Here is a link to my fundraising page and to find out exactly what your donating to: http://ic.stayclassy.org/member/ic-fundraising?fcid=45472

Thank you so much and stay tuned for the announcement of the winner!

Winner will be announced April 26.

Concept://James Dean

2011-03-29T20:15:00.000-07:00

This is a little bit more of storyboard art for me. It was a very modern James Dean inspired shoot. Luckily for me, I had two very attractive friends to help me out to make it come alive. Hooray for good looking friends! These amazing models are Derek and Rose. They had to inhale a lot of smoke to make it work. So to take I give a very big Thank You to them. I for one, am very please with how it turned out :) Disclaimer: I do not smoke nor do I agree that smoking is the smartest health habit - smoking was only for artistic purposes.

Enjoy! And tell me what kinda story you guys get!

Love,
-Angelica

The Dodos://No Color

2011-03-27T21:54:00.000-07:00

Another over due blog, Sorry!

So, about two weeks ago I got to see the amazingly talented band The Dodos. They played at Phoenix's The Duce (A music venue/restaurant/bar/clothing store) and preformed songs from their new album No Color along with an encore of songs from their Visiter album.

I gotta say, this band is one of those rare ones where they sound just as good live as they do on their CD. Pure vocals, rhythmically complex and clear-cut drums and guitar, I would recommend this duo from San Francisco to anyone.

Hope you enjoy this set of photos as much as I did taking them :)

Yes, their stage is a boxing arena.

Love,
Angelica

Ariana://Part 2: Little Ballerina

2011-03-25T17:23:00.000-07:00

Here it is! Part 2 of my talented cousin, Ariana. These are just a small handful of photos to show off my beautiful graceful cousin ballet skills.

Enjoy!

Love,
Angelica

Ariana://Part 1: Head Shots & Lifestyle

2011-03-20T23:37:00.000-07:00

Part 1 of 2:

Another long and over due blog. I know I'm awful.

I took this more in the beginning of the year of my beautiful cousin, Ariana. I hopped on a plane to California, and got possibly some of the best photos I've taken in my professional career. These are just some of the great head shots of her for her ballet. I'm going to post ballet and concept photos I took of her in my next post.

She is possibly the most talented ballerina I have ever seen. She has so much grace and pose. I'm so glad I'm able to call her my cousin. Her heart for God is another thing to be admired for. I love this girl! Cross your fingers that she gets into the company that's best for her!

While I was in California, I also took the time to get some head shots of my little cousin, Rosalina. Isn't she a cutie?

Aw, sisters :)

She has a lot of sass for a ballerina ;)

Up Next: Ariana: Part 2!

-Love
Angelica

Vasquez Family

2011-02-09T18:57:00.000-08:00

Been a while, I know. World's worst blogger right here. Anyways...
Here are some photos of the Vasquez Family. Family friends that I've known for years. Possibly one of the best family sessions I've had yet.

Enjoy!

Love, Angelica

Experimenting with water

2011-01-07T19:08:00.000-08:00

I've been meaning to post these for a while, but the craziness of the Holidays kinda made me forget about blogging. Sorry! Anyways, these are some experimental photos I took with my friend a couple months ago. I'm pretty happy with how they turned out. Hope you all like it!

I love her blue eyes!

If you wanna see more go here:http://www.flickr.com/photos/through_the_looking_lens_photography/sets/72157625757550142/.

Love,
Angelica

Sneak Peeks and Explanations

2010-12-19T23:52:00.000-08:00

I'm alive! Sorry I've been M.I.A. for a while, guys. Lots of stuff has been going on. Life got crazy for a while, between finals,editing and my sister having to go to the hospital. It's safe to say I've had my hands full.

Before I get comments asking about my sister, I'll explain.

She literally broke her face.

Yes, broke her face.

She is goalie on her high school soccer team and as she blocked the ball a girl from the other team slide her knee into my sisters right eye. She broke her nose and orbital bone under her right eye. Of course my parents were out of town during all of this, so I had to be there for all of this. No, I did not see it happen and yes, I do want to beat up the girl (just kidding, I know it was an accident).

It's been about two weeks since then and she is almost completely healed up.It's amazing how quickly prayer helped speed up the healing process. Thank you for all of you who knew about the situation and kept her in your thoughts and prayers!

Anyways, now that I've ranted and unnecessarily explained myself. Here are the photos. The first one was a experiment about a month ago. Second, a sneak peek from a beautiful 25th Anniversary. Last but not least another sneak peek for the Vasquez Family.

Enjoy! More to come soon!

Love,
Angelica

Corpse Bride

2010-10-31T14:46:00.000-07:00

Trick or Treat? All your gonna get is treats from this photographer! So here it is, photos from my "Corpse Bride"-Tim Burton- inspired shoot. Enjoy!

Hope you all have a great Halloween!

Lots of love,
Angelica

Anberlin| Dark Is The Way, Light Is A Place|Concert Review

2010-10-05T22:38:00.000-07:00

So I'm a little late on posting this, but between crazy storms and terrible Internet connection it's been hard to post this. I super excited to present these photos to you guys because I was finally able to use my new Canon 7D at a concert, and I'm super happy on the way they turned out. This gonna be a quick review so here it is...

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Let's begin

This past Saturday Anberlin played a killer show in Tempe at Marquee Theater. It's not everyday you come across a band that really knows how to put on an entertaining show and play music that truly rocks and has meaning.

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Kicking off their set with the first song off their newest album, Dark is the Way, Light is a Place, "We owe this to ourselves" made the sea of fans go crazy and instantly started the rock fists.

This being the second time I've seen Anberlin preform, the first being the summer of 2009 when they were opening up for Taking Back Sunday. This time around they had just as much fun on stage and got the crowd to move just as much. The only difference being more lights and lead singer Stephan Christian not keeping his mouth enough towards the microphone. Though Anberlin is definitely not the kinda of band that need flashy lights and smoke to make them better, it did help set the mood. Each band member bring so much energy to the stage that you could have no colorful lights and still enjoy them as performers and musicians.

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Anberlin isn't like most bands that come out and just try to show people a good time. They come out and give people good time. Their music is genuine and they preform with a heart of fiery passion and emotion in what they do and sing about.They already have 6 albums, including a "Lost Songs" album that includes demo, acoustic and covers of glorious melodic sounds. If you are a fan of well made music, with meaningful lyrics and melodic vocals, this is a band you must check out.

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Before I forget, the opening band Crash Kings and Civil Twilight are just another set of bands you must check out. If you like Kings of Leon, you're going to like Crash Kings and if Muse and Anberlin had a baby you'd have Civil Twilight. I would give more of a review of these bands but maybe in another blog? We'll see. But here are some awesome photos I took of those guys as well.

Crash Kings

Civil Twilight

So in short,the line up was great and all the bands really knew how to put on a great show. If you wanna see more photos go Here.

Thanks for sticking this out to the end!

Lots of Love
Angelica

Sneak Peek from Anberlin's show in Tempe,Az

2010-10-03T11:54:00.000-07:00

WELCOME!

2010-10-01T23:37:00.000-07:00

Hello friends and welcome to my Through The Looking Lens blog! Yep, I did it. I buckled down and got a blog to share my photos. YAY! an is a big plus to this blog too. I will not only be using this blog for my wonderful photographs, but also to blog and feature music when I photograph concerts.

Yep that's right! So that's it. Kinda of a lame start so to really kick off this "photo blog" I'm going to post a picture that I haven't put up of my friend Rose on my Facebook page. If your not a fan or if you haven't "Liked" my fan page yet,you can do so Here.

Anyways, hope the 5 of you that will actually read this enjoy my blog and like whatcha see :]

Wish me luck because I will be photographing an amazing band tomorrow (more like today) Oct. 2. Check back Sunday and Monday to see the pics and the review! Oh and this amazing band I am speaking of? Anberlin

Lots of love
Angelica