Last October I exhibited some of my gig photography, alongside Jamie Buttershaw's stunning work at Assembly Arts in Lancaster.
Alan Morris, photographer and one of the founders of Assembly Arts, approached us about showing our work during the Lancaster Music Festival. Jamie and I are both members of the photography collective that meets monthly.
At first I was hesitant, purely from a time perspective, but so glad I agreed. It was fabulous to be involved. Exhibiting with another photographer was a new experience, and very fun having to consider how the two sets of work interact and flow. Alan's support was invaluable too and I now know even more about hanging work, not my favourite thing to do admittedly, but a necessity.
The launch event was a joy and I even did some invigilation slots. I loved texting friends that I was hanging out at the exhibition that day, inviting them to pop in if they had time. I was so grateful for their support.
I loved seeing peoples reactions to the largest image I have ever exhibited (not counting my portrait of Bethany on Morecambe prom).
I exhibited a large black and white crowd scene, packed full of young people enjoying a Sigma DJ set at Highest Point. It garnered a variety of comments from 'it looks like an underwater scene' to 'it reminds me of an Andreas Gursky' (high praise indeed!). I'm happy to report that Highest Point organiser, Rich Dyer is now the proud owner.
When selecting images to show, I included local music acts, as well as national. All the images were made in Lancaster, at various venues across the city, namely; Kanteena, The Dukes, The Hall, The Cathedral and Williamson Park. Highest Point Festival and the Jazz Festival are two of my favourite musical events in our area, and so ensured they were included too. As a DJ, I also felt it important to show electronic music acts as well as bands, so James Zabiela and Basement Jaxx were in the final nine photographs.
By way of an exhibition summary, here is the info from the panel that greeted visitors on arrival;
Encore!
Music photography by Ginny Koppenhol and Jamie Buttershaw
In recent years grassroots music venues in the UK have been closing in large
numbers. Essential to the music scene, these safe places allow artists, promoters,
technicians and others to hone their craft while having room to experiment. These
venues are also a meeting place, fertile ground for collaboration and connection. It
is important that they are protected. Local scenes and independent music venues
are both essential to the community and vital to the industry.
These photographs of live performances by Ginny Koppenhol and Jamie Buttershaw
feature artists, event organisers and venues in the Lancaster district. From high-
energy, electrifying moments to quiet introspection, the images demonstrate the
intense connection between musicians and their craft.
Ginny Koppenhol
Ginny Koppenhol is a Lancaster based portrait photographer who integrates her
passion for music into her visual arts practice. In 2022 a residency with arts
organisation Quarantine allowed Ginny and DJ/visual artist Fynn Galloway to explore
the ‘current state of the underground scene’ in Manchester. This experience led to
Ginny’s current photographic project, creating portraits with those in the local
electronic music scene. As a DJ herself, Ginny recognises the importance of
exploring the prevailing musical landscape and assessing whether more can be
done to help sustain it. A selection of these portraits were recently displayed as part
of a digital exhibition at the Open Eye Gallery in Liverpool.
Among her varied commissioned roles Ginny is the official photographer for the
Lancaster Jazz Festival. She teaches workshops and courses and has run various
socially-engaged projects in schools and mental health settings, promoting the
importance of play and creative experimentation through photography.
Jamie Buttershaw
Jamie Buttershaw is a Lancaster based music and events photographer who aims to
capture the unique moments and emotions of live performances. With a mindful
approach, he focuses on the artist’s connection to their craft. Jamie aims to depict
the authentic energy and atmosphere of a performance, whether a vibrant, high-
contrast show or a more passive, intimate, experience.
As one of the official photographers for Lancaster Music Festival and Morecambe
Music Festival, Jamie has explored the opportunity to document a wide range of
artists and venues. A pivotal moment in his journey came at the Lancaster Music
Festival, where a busy and creatively rewarding weekend solidified his passion for
music photography. Jamie states “I thrive on depicting the transformative power of
music, when musicians are truly in their element, leaving the world behind to become
something greater on stage”. Jamie uses photography to capture those
transcendent moment when musicians are deeply connecting with both their sound
and their audience.
Ginny Koppenhol
www.gkoppenholphotography.com
Jamie Buttershaw
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