TEDxDetroit - Alicia Michilli with Guitar - Fox Theatre, Detroit MI
I may have told you that I'm the "lead photographer" for TEDxDetroit and that I've been doing it for the last 5 years. But I think it's about time I explained what the assignment entails.
First, I'm bold enough to ask the best shooters in metro Detroit to donate a whole day making photos of this unique event. I don't give a lot of direction. I just say something like "just tell me what you see." But for an accomplished professional, that simple request can produce magical results.
My next task is to find two or three photo technicians to deliver our pictures to the social media group. They download images from media cards and convert files to medium-sized jpegs for speedy use on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. All this while keeping images credited to the right photographer, and returning media with all files preserved. I ask photographers to upload their work to the TEDx Flickr site after the event.
And finally, and the most rewarding for me, I take environmental portraits of each presenter either just before or right after they go on stage. Last year, I shot at the Detroit Opera House and my portraits had a backstage look. This year, during a preliminary tour of the Fox Theater, I found two red, leather-lined elevators to serve as a background for my subjects. Above is my photo of singer, songwriter, America's Got Talent semi finalist, Alicia Michilli and her guitar.
