Jemma Dodd Photography: December 2014

Sunday, 28 December 2014

Top 10 of 2014

Having shot both Sonisphere and Leeds Festival this year I've had the privilege of shooting some amazing bands, which meant making this list was quite a challenge. There's still some other images that I'm quite proud of, but I had to make a decision... so here's my Top 10 live shots of 2014!

1. Linkin Park - O2 Arena London

2.Limp Bizkit - Sonisphere Festival 2014

3.Heaven's Basement - Brixton Academy

4. Marmozets - Leeds Festival 2014

5. Gerard Way - Leeds Festival 2014

6.Courtney Love - Birmingham O2 Academy

7. New Found Glory - The Institute Birmingham

8. Aurora - Slam Dunk Midlands 2014

9. Brutality Will Prevail - Leeds Festival 2014

10. A Day To Remember - Birmingham O2 Academy

2014 - A look back

As 2014 is about to come to an end and I start to plan out what I want to achieve in 2015, I thought a starting point would be to look back on what I had achieved this year, and in all honestly I have to say 2014 has been a pretty good year for my photography. I won't mention every shoot, but here's a few highlights!

Practical Photography Magazine

Firstly at the beginning of the year, having been an intern for Practical Photography magazine for just a few months, my contract was extended and I've now been working at the magazine for over a year! All of this came from doing a one-day work experience through GoThinkBig, and my role has dramatically changed since I first started - I even do a bit of writing now! I can also now finally reveal that the next issue of Practical Photography, on sale the 30th December features a video interview with the amazing Rankin, an interview which I arranged and got to go along to! Yes this was mega for me!

Rebelicious Magazine

After having some of my photos published in Rebelicious Magazine at the end of 2013, I started 2014 with my own feature Frock N Roll. The feature includes an interview with female members of rock bands and also photographs that I've taken of the artist.I also had a 6-page editorial featured in the September issue! I'll be planning more work with Rebelicious both on an editorial basis and also for Frock N Roll so if you're a model or female in a UK band and want to be featured get in touch!

Music Photography

Looking at what I've achieved within my music photography this year seems ABSOLUTELY MENTAL. Not only did I get to shoot my first TWO big festivals for Hit The Floor Magazine (Sonisphere and Leeds Festival), but I also won the NME Photography Awards live category. I still can't believe it to be honest and have to keep reminding myself (in a non-ego way) that it's pretty damn amazing. NME editor, Mike Williams actually said at the awards evening that my photo was "f**king amazing" and I will definitely never forget that!

(credit Jordan Hughes /NME)

I wonder what will happen in 2015...

Sunday, 14 December 2014

Mikey and Morgan

A few weeks ago I headed back to Birmingham to shoot some test portfolio images for the wonderful Mikey and Morgan. We set-up a portable studio in their dining room and shot a variety of outfits. Both Mikey and Morgan are agency signed and available for shoots across the UK. If you'd like to work with them feel free to contact me and I can pass over the relevant contact information.

Sunday, 7 December 2014

The Pretty Reckless - Brixton Academy

After rushing to London to shoot Linkin Park, two days later I photographed The Pretty Reckless at Brixton Academy. I'd seen alot of other photographers shots from this tour, and many people moaning about smoke and Taylor Momsen's face being covered by her hair, so I was quite worried about what to expect.

There was quite a bit of smoke, a crowded pit and only 2 songs for us to shoot. I'd love to have got some better shots, but I'm happy with what I did get.

Review and photos at Hit The Floor Magazine

Monday, 1 December 2014

Linkin Park - O2 Arena - 24/11/14

Last week I shot my biggest gig so far - Linkin Park at the O2 Arena! While I've shot a number of massive bands this year at festivals, shooting Linkin Park at the O2 Arena was definitely the biggest show I've shot in the 6 years that I've been shooting live music.

I've been a fan of Linkin Park for so long so this gig meant alot to me. I remember when 'Crawling' was released and the 10 year old me wanted to learn the lyrics so my dad played and played the song till we'd written the whole song down!

After only being confirmed around 1'oclock on the day of the show, I rushed straight back home after work, grabbed my gear and then jumped on trains and tubes to get to the O2 in time!

I've been to the O2 once, a few years ago when I saw Jack Johnson, it's an amazing venue and an epic place to shoot at. I stuck to using my Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 and we were lucky enough to get 4 songs in the pit, the rest of the set to shoot elsewhere and then another 2 songs in the pit for the encore...

Here's quite a large selection of photos from the night...

Full set of photos on Flickr

Review and photos at Hit The Floor Magazine