Recap: Nashfest 757 with the Travelin' McCourys

Welcome back, friends! It's been a busy few weeks around here, and I'm still working on incorporating a rhythm of blogging in with my other duties.

That being said, I now have my first solo mission for the company under my belt, and took some of the best photos of my career in the process, so I'm excited to share!

This past Saturday, September 13th, I ventured up to Norfolk, VA for NashFest 757. Hosted by FestEvents, this is a festival boasting hot chicken, hard drinks, and great music — in particular, our clients The Travelin' McCourys.

The plan was to film some videos to use as content for their social media pages, as well as some on stage photos for future graphics and show promotions.

Not only was this my first time working a festival solo, but it was actually my first time meeting the band and getting to experience their music up close and personal.

The guys were nice enough to arrange backstage access for me, which not only allowed for the best location for photos, but it meant I only had to bring one camera.

Normally, I carry 2 cameras: one equipped with a 55-200mm lens for close-up shots, and another with an 18-55mm for wider angles. This means I can switch back and forth quickly as I move around (which I do a lot) without having to stop to change lenses.

However, as a 5'1" human alone in downtown Norfolk, I really didn't want to be lugging a huge camera around as I walked from my car to the venue and back, so being close enough to the stage to only need my smaller rig was a huge bonus.

These multicolored stage lights were an absolute blast to shoot, especially since they changed throughout the night, so no two photos look the exact same. There was even a fog machine that reflected the individual light beams — truly a photographer's dream!

As much as I love taking photos, I absolutely hate editing them. I almost always shoot in manual mode to avoid as much editing as possible, and that truly paid off with this batch of photos. I'm proud to present them just as they were shot, with the exception of some cropping and straightening here and there.

As much fun as I had taking photos, I found myself getting lost in the music more often than not. From original songs to an array of unexpected covers (my personal favorite being Passenger's 'Let Her Go'), The Travelin' McCourys put on a high-energy show that bends traditional bluegrass with modern flair and a unique sound that appeals to all ages — but don't just take my word for it! The crowd would've kept them on stage all night if they could have.

Want to experience a show for yourself? Check out their tour dates to see where they're headed next, and keep an eye on their socials for some of the videos I took during the night!

Thanks for reading!

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"Have a good day, 'cause it's a good day for it!"

— Jody Rainwater