Brian-Friedman-1

FREEZE FRAME

Photographer Brian Friedman captures onstage moments in a snap

Love of music figured prominently in Brian Friedman’s evolution as a photographer. A drummer since age 6, the Long Island-based lensman converted a teen hobby shooting local concerts into a lauded professional career. Vibrant and distinctive, Friedman’s work has ranged from photographing Michelle and Barack Obama to shooting unforgettable performance images (like the above 2012 shot of Steven Tyler in Las Vegas). “Being a drummer, especially a jazz drummer, gave me a great education for being a photographer,” says Friedman. “You’re constantly improvising.” The following pages offer a sampling of his live images—each shot for iHeartRadio. For more go to b-freed.com.

Adam Levine, 2013 Adam got a running start on the catwalk at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and jumped mid-riff. I like that’s it’s a silhouette but with enough definition that you can tell it’s him. He got good lift—his knees are about 4 feet in the air.

Adam Levine, 2013
Adam got a running start on the catwalk at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and jumped mid-riff. I like that’s it’s a silhouette but with enough definition that you can tell it’s him. He got good lift—his knees are about 4 feet in the air.

TAYLOR SWIFT, 2012 Taylor’s a very passionate performer. I shot this from an unusual spot at Madison Square Garden—from the side of the front of the stage. Her expression is even more evident than if I had shot her straight on. I was going for intimacy.

TAYLOR SWIFT, 2012
Taylor’s a very passionate performer. I shot this from an unusual spot at Madison Square Garden—from the side of the front of the stage. Her expression is even more evident than if I had shot her straight on. I was going for intimacy.

billy joel, 2012 Billy performed “Movin’ Out” at the Concert for Sandy Relief in New York City. The staging was subdued in keeping with the purpose of the event. I picked up some light that was coming from behind him, and it reminded me of sunshine.

billy joel, 2012
Billy performed “Movin’ Out” at the Concert for Sandy Relief in New York City. The staging was subdued in keeping with the purpose of the event. I picked up some light that was coming from behind him, and it reminded me of sunshine.

Billie Joe Armstrong, 2012 Green Day played at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas. I tried to bring a closer view than what a concertgoer typically sees. Billie Joe went a bit crazy at the end—smashing his guitar. The next day he checked into rehab.

Billie Joe Armstrong, 2012
Green Day played at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas. I tried to bring a closer view than what a concertgoer typically sees. Billie Joe went a bit crazy at the end—smashing his guitar. The next day he checked into rehab.

Bruce Springsteen, 2012 Bruce performed “Land of Hope and Dreams,” at the Concert for Sandy Relief. I picked a spot where I could skim the fans—getting hands in frame to capture more of the action. He bonded with the audience—and lit up the crowd.

Bruce Springsteen, 2012
Bruce performed “Land of Hope and Dreams,” at the Concert for Sandy Relief. I picked a spot where I could skim the fans—getting hands in frame to capture more of the action. He bonded with the audience—and lit up the crowd.

PINK, 2012 This was Pink’s opening song while performing in Las Vegas. For a millisecond she looked straight into the camera. Under her jacket she was wearing a harness hooked to a wire—and she went flying around the arena. Really tore it up.

PINK, 2012
This was Pink’s opening song while performing in Las Vegas. For a millisecond she looked straight into the camera. Under her jacket she was wearing a harness hooked to a wire—and she went flying around the arena. Really tore it up.

kesha, 2013 Kesha’s getting down and dirty at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. She’s inches from the camera, on her knees and slinging her hair wildly. I usually only show images that are in focus, but with this shot the blurriness adds to the mystique.

kesha, 2013
Kesha’s getting down and dirty at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. She’s inches from the camera, on her knees and slinging her hair wildly. I usually only show images that are in focus, but with this shot the blurriness adds to the mystique.

Macklemore, 2013 An epic moment at Madison Square Garden. The crowd is singing along with Macklemore. I love the symmetry here—the way his arms are stretched out. His ear monitor is out, and he’s taking in the ambience of the stage and venue.

Macklemore, 2013
An epic moment at Madison Square Garden. The crowd is singing along with Macklemore. I love the symmetry here—the way his arms are stretched out. His ear monitor is out, and he’s taking in the ambience of the stage and venue.

 

 

 

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