Tim McGraw in Bristow, VA

PHOTOGRAHING TIM McGRAW

I enjoy the challenge of concert photography.  Some concerts are more of a challenge than others; Tim McGraw’s concert is a case in point being a very popular show with many adoring fans in attendance.  Instead of reviewing his concert I thought I’d give you a glimpse of what I experienced behind the lens of my camera.

Opening the show was Love & Theft.  Who are they you ask?  Well if you’ve heard Taylor Swift’s song “Hey Stephen” you’ve been introduced to the lead singer Stephen Barker Liles.  That leaves Brian Bandas and Eric Gunderson to round out the group.  Their set was short so I had to make the most of my photo opportunities moving around to get a variety of angles.  I discovered the end of the cat walk yielded the best photos and since not all the concert goers had taken their seats I had an unobstructed view.

It was a bit more challenging to get photos of Tim McGraw’s next opening act, Lady Antebellum comprised of Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott, and Dave Haywood.  When you have a group of 3 it’s nice to get both individual and group shots.  Thankfully Lady A came together often and long enough to capture although the crowd was beginning to thicken and I was finding it harder to maneuver.

If I thought it was hard to move before Tim McGraw came out it was nearly impossible once he hit the stage!  I thought I found a secure spot at the corner of the main stage and attempted to focus on Tim through my lens but he kept moving.  I adjusted the focus several times and was vaguely aware of girls screaming around me.  When I finally looked up I was shocked to find Tim McGraw standing directly above me laughing at the look of surprise on my face.  I was practically mauled by fans trying to climb over me to get to Tim and decided that probably wasn’t the best place to stand for photos.


I made my way to the end of the catwalk and had good success until Tim decided to venture to the end and sit down.  Once again I was surrounded by eager fans and got pushed, elbowed and doused in beer.  I backed away from the mayhem, captured the moment from a safe distance and continued to move looking for a good spot without heads, hands and arms obstructing the view.

In case you’re wondering – yes, I did manage to enjoy the concert.  I found myself singing along frequently.  I stopped to watch often, laughed with my girlfriends, and appreciated the efforts of all the artists to connect with the audience and reach out to fans.

Tim McGraw Concert Photos by CWalker

Published : Star Exponent   Reposted: Urban Country Blog