As a teenager, I desperately wanted to be part of the music and the scene, but with absolutely zero musical talent, starting a band was strictly out of the question. I had always loved photography and had taken a few classes in school, so blending that love with my new music obsession seemed like a natural progression. I started taking my camera to some of the shows to connect with the bands in my own way and give back a tiny bit to the music and the scene I loved so much. It was also a great way to meet some of the musicians that I admired, and a few times, I became “pen pals” with several of them while on tour, sending photos I had taken at their shows. Some nights, I’d experience a random act of chivalry when a guy (usually a big, burly one) saw me trying to get upfront with my camera and helped shield me from the mosh pit that was often breaking out behind me. This often happened at the smaller clubs where it felt more like an extended family of friends, and my camera and I had a little more protection from the action.