Musician Photoshoot with Velvet Rodeo

While in Nashville, Tennessee attending Imaging USA 2023 with the Professional Photographers of America, I made time to slip out of the convention center between classes for a musician photoshoot with country music duo Velvet Rodeo.

Bryan McCoury and Leah, the members of Velvet Rodeo, are formerly from North Carolina. They are currently living in Nashville, nicknamed Music City, and considered to be the capitol of country music. They led me smoothly through Lower Broadway, a famous entertainment district full of honky tonks and neon signs. Even in the middle of the day in January, the streets and bars were bustling with people and live music bands. We worked in several locations, notably Printer’s Alley and inside the Johnny Cash Museum and Cafe.

Although I had brought along some lighting in case I needed it, the mid-day weather was partly cloudy. In addition, there was plenty of shade in downtown Nashville. So to keep things moving, I left the lighting in my van and worked with natural light outdoors and the ambient light indoors. Rich, yellow stained glass windows uniquely lit the second floor of the Johnny Cash Museum.

I enjoy working with artists of different kinds and this was my first time doing a full musician photoshoot of the country music genre. Being able to photograph the session in Nashville made it extra enjoyable. I wish all the best to Bryan and Leah.