Christopher Nelson's FANS Photography Show Turns the Lens Away from the Performer

In our wonderfully prolific Seattle music scene, the opportunities for concert photography seem endless. While lenses tend to focus on the stage, local photographer Christopher Nelson has found more inspiration among those that make an artist who they are: the fans. Those fans and all of Seattle will soon have the opportunity to see Nelson's work on display at his first-ever photography showcase called FANS - A Look At The People Who Make A Show Great.

Sponsored by STG Presents, the showcase's opening night is on Thursday, March 10 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre bar. The show is free, although a cash-only bar will also be open.

It's rare that a photography showcase earns a spot in one of the city's most premiere venues. For Nelson, the opportunity is a dream come true. The idea for the show came about by chance after he casually mentioned it to STG back in October. Nearly five months later, after a long debate over which images to show, the final candidates were printed on canvas and now hang in the Paramount Theatre bar.

As for the showcase's unique concept, Nelson admits he's never felt he had an interesting concept worthy of showing the world. Until now, that is. "I've always been fascinated by crowds of people," he explains, "I'm inspired by human energy...it doesn't get any cooler than seeing thousands of fans."

Nelson first got involved in concert photography through his events set up job through One Reel several years ago. He shot Bumbershoot for One Reel in 2005, and then began regularly photographing events such as the Family Fourth at Lake Union and the now discontinued Summer Nights at the Pier. Today, Nelson does photography for a living and continues to shoot for STG and One Reel.

The images Nelson selected for this showcase were taken from a period of two to three years of his prime concert photography moments. Some are from Sasquatch, others from Marymoor Park and the Paramount. No performers are in any of the images, except for one stage shot. He credits The Flaming Lips and their famously colorful and unpredictable live shows for really inspiring this series. For Nelson, it was the raw energy of the crowd that made all two of his Flaming Lips live shows memorable. One of his mantras taught to him by a professor is "photography is writing with light," and for Nelson, there's no better way to share and tell a story.

Whether you're viewing Nelson's showcase as a member of the music community or as a fan, he hopes you walk away inspired and you never forget to be fan.

Premiere Thursday, March 10, 5-8 p.m. // Paramount Theatre bar // FREE