This is my new house.
I’m very pleased to announce that I’ve recently accepted a position as the house photographer for the newly opened Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis.
The new arena is a 10,600-capacity multi-use venue that will serve as the home to the St. Louis University Billikens basketball team, in addition to hosting a number of concerts in the 2008 season.
Considering my start in concert photography bringing a camera to a small club on a whim, I’m thrilled at the opportunity to act as the house photographer for the Chaifetz Arena.
Icon Barry Manilow performed the inaugural concert on April 25, 2008. Images from that event will be posted soon, and I will definitely keep you posted on events from this new venue in addition to my usual gigs.
53 Comments Add your own
1. Keith | April 28th, 2008 at 12:31 am
Todd, congrats man! Thats awesome. AND….this shot is sick. Can’t wait to see what else you came up with this weekend!
2. Keith | April 28th, 2008 at 12:33 am
I wanted to ask, did you get my email this week? Again, no rush. Just want to know if you got it!
3. Todd | April 28th, 2008 at 12:45 am
Hey Keith,
Thanks very much. I met your friends Chris and Ryan. They were telling me about how they were totally addicted to Flickr and asked if I had an account, and what the name was.
I said, “Yeah, it’s ‘ishootshows,’” and Chris flipped out. So that’s how we got to talking about you, ha.
I did get your email, sorry about the late reply – I’ve been a little busy, but no shows until the weekend, so I will try and get back to you straight away.
4. Janet | April 28th, 2008 at 1:00 am
Congratulations
I hope you will still be doing concert photography at other venues?
5. Todd | April 28th, 2008 at 1:22 am
Hey Janet, thank you! I will definitely still be photographing at other venues. I do love the Pageant and its people, and I’ll be back there this weekend.
6. Nacho Philosophy! | April 28th, 2008 at 1:44 am
Congrats, you certainly deserve it.
7. Todd | April 28th, 2008 at 1:45 am
Thanks, man!
8. Brett | April 28th, 2008 at 1:46 am
Will you continue with the blog then?
9. Todd | April 28th, 2008 at 2:27 am
I’m definitely still blogging, unless there are situations (contracts) that prohibit me from doing so.
I have a bunch of stuff from the last two weeks that I’ll be posting soon, including:
Okkervil River
New Pornographers
Barry Manilow
Alicia Keys
The Wailers
Murder City Players
And upcoming shows at the Pageant include My Chemical Romance with Billy Talent, and Tegan and Sara.
10. Will Wilkins | April 28th, 2008 at 8:28 am
Congrats Todd! You are truly gifted.
11. Todd | April 28th, 2008 at 8:37 am
Thanks, Will.
12. Jason | April 28th, 2008 at 8:38 am
Congratulations! Enjoy the new digs.
13. Todd | April 28th, 2008 at 9:38 am
Thanks, Jason. I’m looking forward to seeing what this venue can do.
14. tom | April 28th, 2008 at 10:03 am
Congratulations Todd! This is such a well-deserved offer and the perfect fit for you. It is fantastic to see your exceptional work rightly appreciated.
15. Todd | April 28th, 2008 at 10:10 am
Thanks, Tom. I appreciate the kind words, the people at Chaifetz have been really great. I shot for a total of about nine hours there this weekend and it was a nice way to “break in” the new place.
16. Andi | April 28th, 2008 at 10:12 am
I hope for you they pay the big money there
Congrats.
17. Todd | April 28th, 2008 at 10:33 am
Hey Andi, thanks.
I have reached a very satisfactory agreement with the management and the experience has been nothing short of excellent so far. I’m looking forward to seeing what gigs this venue will bring in!
18. TVN | April 28th, 2008 at 11:13 am
Congrats Todd! This is a fantastic opportunity! I look forward to seeing the results of your hard work.
19. Todd | April 28th, 2008 at 11:32 am
Thanks, T. Barry Manilow was from the soundboard, but on Saturday I photographed a six-hour event with five performers that should produce some nice results.
I have a bunch of shows to post, but hope to post at least some of those images and write-ups this week.
20. Lori | April 28th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Wow, Todd, that’s fantastic! Congratulations. I’m really happy for you, and I’m looking forward to seeing more of your work!
21. Todd | April 28th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Hey Lori, thanks! Good to hear from you. I have a ton of stuff to post, so stay tuned.
22. John | April 28th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
todd,
great news! good to see your rapid ascent in the concert photo scene. as always, look forward to seeing more of your work.
23. Todd | April 28th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Hey John, thanks! It’s been a pretty interesting ride so far, with a lot happening with regard to concert photography in just the last six months.
Thanks for the support.
24. gui | April 28th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Ez mate!
that’s good news for you!
really glad for you
but i have to say that doesnt surprize me :
u’re fkin talented
G
25. Todd | April 28th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Thanks, G. I’m looking forward to this opportunity – will keep you posted about how it works out.
26. Stephen | April 28th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Congratulations Todd! I can’t say I’m too surprised - this is really well deserved
Although I haven’t had much time lately to comment, I’ve been following your progress and I can’t wait to see what you do next. Is this a full time job?
27. Todd | April 28th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
Hey Stephen, thank you. This is not a full-time gig, but simply a contracted position for which I’ll provide coverage as needed. I will be doing all of the music evens, but perhaps some of the sporting and general university stuff as well.
Good to hear from you.
28. meio kilo | April 28th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Well Done. I can only hope to accomplish such great photos from passion like yours. You inspire me.
29. Todd | April 28th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Hey Meio, thanks very much. For me, inspiration is one of the highest compliments!
30. Stephen | April 28th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
That’s great - so does this mean that you won’t have the 3 song limit imposed on you or is that up to the bands individually?
31. Todd | April 28th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
Hey again, Stephen! I’ll still be limited as per the band’s requests, but there may be situations in which I have more flexibility.
The house sets up all credentials and such, and I show up and shoot in a normal fashion.
One nice aspect of this venue is that the stage is only about four-feet high, which is very manageable, especially for an arena.
32. Jacinta | April 29th, 2008 at 5:38 am
Hey Todd, just another congratulatory note! To be the house photographer for an ARENA…wow. I’d say ‘good luck’ but I don’t think you really need it!
33. Todd | April 29th, 2008 at 8:50 am
Thanks, Jacinta! I really appreciate it. Considering my first gig was bringing my D70 to a dive two years ago, this arena deal is a big step.
34. Anand | April 29th, 2008 at 9:10 am
congrat, Todd
35. Todd | April 29th, 2008 at 9:43 am
Thank you, Anand. Good to hear from you.
36. Kenny | April 29th, 2008 at 10:59 am
Ciceros, Pageant, Chaifetz, Madison Square Garden, Space Shuttle, Moon Station…. Keep on Climbin’ Brotha! Congrats!
37. Todd | April 29th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Ha, thanks, Kenny! We’ll see where this goes… We’ve got to meet up sometime for another concert. Aside from My Chemical Romance this weekend, maybe we can hit the Panic at the Disco show. They put on a fun and very photogenic performance last time I saw them.
38. Chris | April 30th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Hell yeah, man! You definitely deserve this gig — you have such talent in this area, I love all your work! Keep it up, hopefully I’ll see you again at Chaifetz soon!
39. Todd | April 30th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Thanks, Chris! I really appreciate it. The next Chaifetz gig I’ll be attending is Stevie Nicks, I think, but I’m hoping they’ll be booking a lot of shows later this summer and fall.
40. tim | May 5th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Todd, nice work. well done!
41. Todd | May 5th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Thanks, Tim! I appreciate it.
42. liveon35mm.com | May 6th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Hi Todd,
a bit late, I missed this post, but congratulations, it looks a wonderful place. Hope it hosts also wonderful shows, does it? how big is that?
Will you be able to shoot somewhere else or it is going to be much that?
sorry too many questions,
have fun
ciao
Valerio
43. Todd | May 6th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Hey Valerio,
Thanks! This venue seats 10,600 at full capacity, and slightly less for concerts, as the stage is positioned at one end of the arena.
I will be able to shoot at other venues, too, though if there’s a conflict between a gig at the arena and another venue, I will be shooting the arena. Most shows will be from the pit, though there will be the occasional soundboard shoot, too.
Thanks again.
44. Dan | May 7th, 2008 at 10:24 pm
Congrats Todd. Sounds like a good regular gig to get.
45. Todd | May 7th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
Thanks, Dan, I appreciate it. Incidentally, Boudist was one of my inspirations for ishootshows.
46. Sanjay | May 8th, 2008 at 10:05 am
I just wanted to say I enjoy your blog and photos and congrats on getting the fantastic job! Good Luck!
47. Todd | May 8th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Hey Sanjay, thanks very much! Good to hear from you.
48. Dan | May 9th, 2008 at 6:56 am
Congrats man….that a huge arena - hope they treat you well
49. Todd | May 9th, 2008 at 8:44 am
Thanks, Dan. This ultra-wide shot makes the arena look a little bigger than it is – but I guess an arena is an arena. I appreciate the good wishes, so far, so good!
50. Barry Manilow @ the Chaif&hellip | May 14th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
[…] was my first gig at the new Chaifetz Arena, and the start of my position as the venue’s house photographer. While the shoot wasn’t in the pit, it was still a great experience stepping into the arena […]
51. Brian McClelland | May 24th, 2008 at 5:21 am
wow, way to go, todd! this is really cool. it’s about time St. Louis made you its house photog.
52. Todd | May 24th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Thanks, Brian! I’ll keep you posted. I also have some more exciting news that I’ll have to share with everyone, but want to keep it under wraps until it’s 100%…
53. Brian McClelland | May 24th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
i imagine world domination is next.
speak up
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