I think this was the first concert I went to after moving to Philadelphia to work for Decibel Magazine in a non-photographic capacity, my first job out of college. One of a surprisingly few times I used the power of Decibel to get into a show. I didn't even ask for a photo pass, just a regular ticket, but I still brought my camera.

Outside the venue, I chatted up the band, who were friends with one of my new coworkers. Once on stage, Ryan Frederiksen (guitar) noticed me in the front with my camera and asked if I wanted to shoot from the stage. Obviously.

I made my way around back. He met me on the other side of security and told them I was the band's "official photographer." Security wouldn't allow it, despite my new official title, so I went back to shooting from the pit. I felt very cool.