It was a great honor to welcome Peter Breinholt and Ryan Innes to my studio yesterday.

I’d never met Peter before, but have wanted to for such a long time. He’s been making great music and entertaining thousands of happy music goers around Utah for 15 years. That’s remarkable. His music is cheerful and thoughtful and I hardly know anyone around here that doesn’t have a Peter Breinholt story, something that has to do with going to one of his concerts or making out to his music (that’s the story Mindy Gledhill tells). Please meet the authentic, good, genuine and kind Peter Breinholt:

Website: www.PeterBreinholt.com

And then there’s Ryan Innes. When he sings, all the knees of standing girls will buckle and those same girls will start to see stars. If I could sing like anyone, it would be like Ryan Innes.

Website: www.reverbnation.com/ryaninnes

You can hear Peter and Ryan this Friday, May 4, at the Rooftop Concert for our first show in this year’s fantastic season.

We’re gearing up for another great year of music in Provo and kicking it off Peter Breinholt with Ryan Innes. See the whole season’s lineup on the Rooftop Concert website.

Fictionist, at Velour on January 13, 2012.

Around our house, we love Mindy Gledhill’s CD’s, but there’s something that’s even better, and that’s hearing her performing live. Last week she played at Velour, and so, goosebumps.

Her new Christmas album is available here as well as her other music. Mindy is the real deal.

Fun fact – One of Mindy’s songs on YouTube recently reached over 1 million views. You can see it here. 1 million. Wowza.

We took Patrick and Ashlee’s engagement pictures in Provo Canyon not too long ago. You take the road that leads to Squaw Peak, but then turn left to Hope Campground, instead. It’s gorgeous, or course, and we were there at the perfect time of year.

And now, meet Ashlee and Patrick.

Ashlee works at Platinum Salon in Orem, and has been cutting C. Jane’s hair for six years.

Here’s what I’m excited about

See you there (unless you hate to have fun).

And this is just the first of six free rooftop concerts this summer. See the whole summer lineup here.

Here’s a band I love: The Head and the Heart. They are from Seattle.  That’s where I saw them first.  Then last month fortune shined on Provo and they came to town, played at Velour.

Here is Jon Russell from the Head and the Heart, photographed outside Velour on the night of their show.

If you’d like to see some photographs from their show, you can watch this two minute slideshow. Then go buy their CD. These guys are the real deal.

Provo Utah, hold your head up high. Last Friday night something beautiful happened and the 1,000 people that showed up left happy and feeling good, good.

But maybe we should start at the beginning.

In February or March of this year, everyone’s favorite blogger, Courtney Kendrick asked me if I wanted to be part of a committee of folks interested in making Provo a better place. I’ll be honest with you, I was just happy to go along with any plan that included me getting to hang out more with Courtney. Count me in, I said. We had a couple meetings and talked about ways to bring people to downtown more often. Get them milling about, get them going to the downtown restaurants, get them to be part of this great town.

So then Andy thought it might be a good idea to have some concerts. What if we had them on a rooftop, he said. Great idea we all said. A rooftop. What fun! So Sarah Wiley and I took a little field trip and scouted out some obvious options. One of the things that played so well in our favor is that Richard Gregory from the Provo Town Square was already on the same page as us and had in fact, dreamed up something similar to what we were thinking and graciously offered his property as a location. Richard Gregory, we thank you.

But back to the story. We had an idea and we had a location. So we kept having meetings. We met at my office and we met at Mindy’s office. And for a while, that’s about all we did was talk. Concerts take money and they take a lot of work. Then, two things happened that changed this from an idea to an idea that would actually get done. First of all, Courtney told us she would sponsor the concerts.  And by sponsor, she meant cha-ching, and by cha-ching, she meant put up the money. Wowza. That was huge. And generous. The next thing that happened is that Sarah Wiley, with four kids and a full time job, took the bull by the horns and started making assignments and telling us all what to do. Anyone that came to our first two concerts should know that without Courtney and Sarah, this would not have happened. Another thing that was essential was that Mindy Gledhill put on a CD release concert and donated all the proceeds from ticket sales (a nearly sold-out show at the Covey Center) to our concert series. See, Courtney, Mindy and Sarah are true champs.

So now we’ve got some dough and a location. Next item, put on a damn show.

We lined up Benton Paul and Nic Day and back in September, had our first rooftop concert. Man, that felt great to have talked for so long, and then have something actually happen. Good crowd, good times.

Oh, but then…

But then on Friday, for our second concert, we lined up the Lower Lights. We already knew we’d have a big crowd. Their CD had just been released and people were talking. Folks in the Lower Lights had heard of friends driving from all over the country to come to the show. Everything was lining up just right.

And so, Friday night could not have been more magical. We packed 1,000 people or more on the top of the Central Bank parking lot on one of the most gorgeous nights in October history. You didn’t need a jacket but you could benefit from snuggling close to someone you love. That’s what I did.

Now, I’ve only lived in Provo 5 years, but I can’t imagine this town has seen very many concerts that were better than what we got last Friday night under the stars. Carrie Underwood at the Stadium of Fire? You’ve got to be kidding me.

If you missed the show, don’t cry too hard. You can still get the Lower Lights CD, and as far as the rooftop concerts go, this is just the beginning. We’ll have some more next year. After all, there’s a group of us that care about making Provo a better place than it already is. If you live in Provo and want to be a part of something great, let me know and we can use you for next year’s concert series.

And now, the Lower Lights.

After the show celebration

Scott Wiley, the man behind the Lower Lights

Sarah Wiley, and one reason there is a concert series

The Rooftop Concert committee

Don’t forget, the Lower Lights play a free show today, October 1st at 8pm on the roof of the Central Bank parking lot in Provo and sponsored by Cjane. The address is 100 North and 100 West. Libbie Linton will also perform. It’s going to be great and I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time. Here are some pictures from a recent Lower Lights rehearsal.

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In other news, October is shaping up to be a busy month and it’s only just started. I have twenty-six portrait sessions scheduled and four weddings. Ten of those sessions are in Denver. I had only planned on doing six there, but added four additional sessions to accommodate requests.

In August I went to New York to photograph the BlogHer convention and will go to San Francisco next week to photograph another one of their conventions. It’s a much smaller affair this time, so I won’t get to take Trevor along, like last time. Don’t worry Trevor. We’ll shoot it again together next year in San Diego.

A couple days ago I took down the 30 Strangers exhibit that had been at the Provo Library for the month of September. Two pieces from last year and two from this year will be part of an exhibit at BYU this month. I already mentioned the exhibit on my blog, here, and will probably mention it again as the day of the opening (October 14th, gets a little closer). In conjunction with the exhibit, I gave a lecture at the library last week about portrait photography and how to improve your own pictures. If I get around to it, I’d like to whip up some notes I used and write a post on what was said. This comes as a suggestion from Marta.

Earlier this week I was at WedSmith as the official photographer. Hilary at Alta Moda knows how to plan an event. It was fantastic and I’m really happy to have been a part of it. I’ll post some of the pictures soon, but in the mean time, I just wanted to mention that I got to meet Lara Casey and I dig that lady. She is so impressive. Meeting her made my whole month.

So, here we go. October. Let the good times roll.

Here’s where I’ll be on Friday night (October 1st). It’s another Provo Rooftop Concert sponsored by CJane. I can’t wait. I’ve been listening to the Lower Lights new CD for a week strait and I can’t get enough.

Click on the image above to read more. Then, come to the concert. You’ll be glad you did.

Something cool for you to do tomorrow night, Friday, September 10th: Go to this free concert on the roof of the Central Bank parking garage in downtown Provo. It’s sponsored by everyone’s favorite blogger, CJane, and as long as you remember to wear a jacket (my weather widget said it’s going to be chilly) then this might be the best thing you do all September. (Now listen, if you are going to Paris this September, then let’s face it, that’s going to be way cooler than this concert. I’m not an idiot.)

There was lots of meetings and talking and ideas about this concert series and now it’s happening. So while there are only two for this year (the next one is in October and it will knock your socks off and clean in to the wash) we hope that next year we’ll have four or five. That’s why it’s a series, see.

Dude, free concert.

This wouldn’t be happening without Courtney’s generous sponsorship, Mindy’s fund-raiser, and without the go get’em-ness from Sarah Wiley. Three champs. Three cheers.

On the night of Mindy Gledhill’s CD release concert at the Covey Center in Provo, Utah, I went down early to photograph the sound check. Before crowds showed up, before the lights went down, before the band and Mindy got dressed up for the big show, before any of that took place, Mindy ran through the songs with her band and I got chills. Even seeing the sound check was fantastic. I sent a text to my wife who was going to come down for the show. I said, “You are going to love this concert.”

Mindy Gledhill has a new CD. I recommend you get it. You can do so on iTunes here or on her website.

Mindy Gledhill is the real deal.

Soundcheck:

Backstage, getting ready for the show:

Lisa Clark, Hailey Smith and Matt Mattson from the Thrillionaires

Courtney and Stephanie, the very capable master of cerimonies

And then the show:

Mindy was shooting a video for one of the songs on her latest album (that’s why she’s wearing butterfly wings. She wasn’t born with those). My office is in the building just next door so I poked my head in and took some pictures.

Speaking of her latest album, she’s having a CD release concert, sponsored by CJaneRun on August 2nd at the Covey Center. You can get tickets here and you’d be smart to do just that. Mindy’s concert will be great, and beyond that, the Thrillionaires will be performing. The Thrillionaires–you know, Brett Merritt, Lisa Clark. They’ll make you laugh your head off, so bring a second head. See you there!

If I could sing as well as Mindy Gledhill, I would never use a speaking voice. I would sing everything I wanted to say. I would order food in a singing voice. My voice mail message would be a song. I wouldn’t even talk in my sleep. I’d sing in my sleep. I would always be singing. That’s if I had a voice like Mindy Gledhill.

For me, making friends with Mindy is one of the highlights of 2010. This girl is all charm. She is driven to be a great artist and entertainer (which I totally admire), she’s affable, beautiful, caring, and like I said before, has a voice that will melt you. Mindy Gledhill is amazing and I adore her.

And now, this can’t come soon enough. Mindy will be performing on August 2nd at the Covey Center in Provo for her latest album release. That night, you’ll be able to get your mitts on the CD before it’s available in stores. Here’s where you can get tickets to the concert. The Thrillionaires will be performing that night, too.

Click on this image to see it larger

I like what Hailey Smith said on Facebook. “You would just be silly to not come to this.”  And she’s right.

Proceeds from the concert will go to benefit the arts in Provo. More specifically, a concert series that’s being put together by Mindy, Courtney, Sarah and myself as part of Provo’s Center Focus efforts. So get your tickets today. I’ll see you August 2nd!

Opening Reception
July 2, 2010 – 6-9pm

Where
26 West Center Street, Provo UT – (Map) Two doors West of Los Hermanos, and 1/2 block West of Justin Hackworth Photography

Come join us for the 30 Strangers exhibit on July 2.
How did one photographer and 30 strangers team up to help local victims of domestic violence? Find out when art and activism come together at a downtown Provo gallery on Friday, July 2.

Featuring the work of Justin Hackworth, the “30 Strangers III: Portraits of Mothers & Daughters” exhibit will raise funds for the Center for Women & Children in Crisis.

For each day in April 2010 Justin Hackworth photographed a mother and daughter he had never met before. Instead of the usual session fee, Hackworth asked participants to make donations the the Center for Women and Children in Crisis.

The fundraising continues
On July 2 at the opening reception, you can schedule your own mother-daughter portrait session with Justin Hackworth for a $75 donation to the Center.
Everyone’s invited. Don’t be a stranger.

Additional gallery hours
July 3 & 5 12pm – 8pm
July 6-9 2pm – 5pm

Gallery of images from the previous years
2009
2008

I have more questions. What should I do?
Call me: 801.916.6993 or email me: justin@justinhackworth.com
You can also read the press release.

Quick review of all the important details

Opening reception and fundraiser
July 2 6pm-9pm

Location
26 West Center Street. 1/2 block West of Justin Hackworth Photography

Additional gallery hours
July 3 & 5 12pm – 8pm
July 6-9 2pm – 5pm

Press Release
http://justinhackworth.com/30strangers/2010-pressrelease.html

This summer, Steven Waggoner painted a picture of me for his project called Hour Provo. He has now completed all 50 paintings and tonight he’s having a gallery reception to display them all. I don’t know about you, but that’s where I’ll be tonight.

Here are the details:

Coleman Studios 7 – 9pm, November 12th
117 N University Ave.
Provo, Utah 84601
801-225-5766

This sign is awesome. Seen, downtown Provo Utah

Have any great pictures from Provo’s Freedom Festival last week? Post them on your blog and leave on comment on CJane’s blog and you could win dinner at Rooster. More info and the place to leave your comment can be found here:
http://cjaneprovo.blogspot.com/2009/07/recap-photo-contest.html

And here’s my entry. It’s a triptych of parade watchers and I’m really trying to pad my entry by including a picture of Courtney’s brother there on the right in the cool hat. I like to win things.

Oh, my. I wouldn’t say I had low expectations. I didn’t have any expectations. Then, they blew me away.
www.myspace.com/olinandthemoon

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Olin and the Moon photographed at the Velour Club in Provo Utah

Here’s Patrick, photographed in Provo Utah. Patrick is one of the best stylists in Utah, working at one of the best salon’s in Utah: Shep Salon.