During my college days, I worked at the kind of local pub every small town needs. It was in an old building, steeped in local history - and I think some of the stories about the place might even have been true. Despite the age of the establishment, it wasn’t tired or dusty. Every weekend, and eclectic blend of live music rocked the rafters. If there were indeed ghosts in the attic, I imagine they were grooving right along with all of us mortals on the first floor. It was there that I discovered an appreciation for various musical genres, and one artist in particular left a lasting impression on me: Susan Tedeschi. Although her soulful melodies were never performed live at The Willard, her songs played on the jukebox almost every night, setting the tone for the live acts to follow and creating an enchanting atmosphere.
A few years (or a couple of decades) later, I found myself embarking on an exciting photography assignment for Design Collaborative at Sweetwater Music Store in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Sweetwater is the largest music store in the United States, and whether you’re a professional guitarist or an amateur kazooist, the destination is bucket-list-worthy. It’s cool, and I was already geeking out. Then, as I stepped through the front doors, a Susan Tedeschi concert was resonating through the air. There’s no such thing as a perfect photo shoot . . . but this one came close.
It was 40,000 square feet of musical magic, and somehow the store curated a personalized playlist for me that day as I worked with the Design Collaborative team to capture their ingenuity and attention to detail. The store’s new visual design incorporated a keyboard into the ceiling of the piano room, creating a sense that music literally surrounds you everywhere you turn. The lighting design in the guitar room cleverly mimicked guitar strings, gracefully draping across the frets. These elements not only enhanced the store's aesthetic appeal but also showcased the DC team's deep appreciation for the art of music.
Amid capturing some of the most unique photos I’ll likely ever shoot, I couldn't help but be transported back to The Willard. Like most college kids, I was nervous then about making it in the real world in my chosen field of study. I wondered – almost obsessively – if I could make a living as a photographer, and music provided an escape from some of the uncertainty. At Sweetwater, I had the awesome experience of soaking in my favorite melodies while doing the job I truly enjoy. It all intertwined seamlessly, celebrating the shared power of music and photography to evoke emotions and forge lasting connections.
