Grace Gelone is a Film Club member who we interviewed this week. She shared with us a collection of photos taken at concerts from the past 3 years. Scroll down to see her photos and read the interview!
PL: What got you interested in photography?
GG: I really enjoy the opportunity to create tangible memories not only for myself but for my friends and family. When I was a kid, I would spend hours going through our family photo albums and in college, I realized that all I had were the pictures on my phone and no tangible photos. So, I started taking pictures with disposables and then bought my first film camera a few years ago. Most of the pictures I take are of my friends and family, but this collection of photos is from concerts I’ve gone to in the past 3 years!
PL: What type of camera do you shoot with?
GG: I have a Canon Sure Shot 85, but also recently purchased a non-point and shoot camera and am very excited to learn to use it.
PL: When taking pictures, what are some objects or elements or feelings within a scene that inspire you to take a photo?
GG: I’m mostly inspired by the people I’m taking pictures with. In this group of photos, each artist or band that I’ve photographed mean something to me. I love each of their music because their music is what gets me through each day. But normally (when I’m not at a concert), I’m inspired by the love I have for my friends and family. I’m extremely grateful for each and every person in my life that I get the privilege of taking pictures of, and love the opportunity to capture them at a moment when they’re truly happy.
PL: Of the pictures you submitted, can you share an interesting story about one?
GG: There’s a photo in this group of Noah Kahan performing with the band Mt Joy. I was at a festival with three close friends in Charlotte at the beginning of May 2024, and I was really excited for Mt Joy to play their new song, “Highway Queen” because it has quickly become one of my favorite songs. As they began introducing the song, they announced they were bringing out Noah (who has headlining the festival immediately after Mt Joy’s set) to come and sing it with them. I was BEYOND EXCITED. I couldn’t stop smiling and singing, and to have captured that moment on stage made me so happy and it is something I will never forget.
PL: What do you enjoy most about film and/or digital photography and what is challenging about it?
GG: I love having my own photo albums. Much like when I was a kid, I spend hours filling up my photo albums with all my pictures from the past few years - I filled an entire album with only HALF of the pictures I took between my first and second year of law school! I love that I have my own memories now and can share them with my friends and family.
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Every day, Club Members take exceptional pictures. If you are not a Film Club Member yet what are you waiting for? Join today to support the photo community in Philly and to start saving money on film processing!