Live Wire Records New Years Eve Shoot

One of the great things about being hired anonymously over the internet for short-notice gigs is you never really know what you're going to get. Obviously sometimes this can turn into a disaster; you could show up to a white supremacist rally or the Republican National Convention and get some great shots of something you're not sure you really want to show anyone. (This hasn't happened to me, yet.) Other times you get taken for a wild ride to places you may never have gone with people you may never have met and treated like part of the family.

This is what I got to experience new year's eve 2009 as I was the official documentarian of local Hip Hop record label Live Wire's outstanding party.

The night started out at the Heathman Hotel; a three room suite well prepared to ring in 2010. I was early so I I had the opportunity to shoot the guys getting ready, I felt quite under-dressed as each of them came out of their rooms dressed to the nines in tuxedos and suits. As guests arrived for toasts and some pre-party laughs it became clear that it was going to be a much different night than I'd invisioned in my head.









After everyone was ready and most of the guests showed up a small group of us piled into a stretch Hummer limo and went out to dinner at The Chart House restaurant. The inside of the limo was covered in colorful lights and reflective surfaces and luckily the lens I had for the ride was fast enough to capture some decent images without a flash even while the limo was driving around!







After dinner it was off to Urban Studios where Live Wire had a VIP area reserved, the place was packed and for the rest of the night everyone pretty much just partied straight through to the new year.

















After the club kicked everyone out we boarded a party bus to drive us around for a while since no one was ready to call it a night. Well, some of us were. I debarked back at the hotel once the bus made a short stop and parted ways tired, sweaty and buzzing with energy.

Truly one of my favorite shoots of the year and a great way to end it. I hope to do some more work with these guys in the future.