Ringing in the Holidays with the Back Bay Ringers

I’m so grateful for the unique experiences my career has offered me. I had one of those unique experiences this month with the Back Bay Ringers. They contacted me to photograph a holiday concert they were holding at the gorgeous Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport, Massachusetts. If you’ve never seen a concert at Shalin Liu before, please put it on your bucket list! The space is absolutely spectacular. It sits on the ocean and the stage is backed by a wall of windows with the most breathtaking view! It’s also the perfect size. Large enough to fit a decent size ensemble, yet small enough to keep the performance intimate. I was thrilled to be shooting in this space. The Back Bay Ringers are a community-based handbell ensemble. Have you ever attended a handbell ensemble? Me neither! But I can tell you one thing. They sound exactly what I want my holidays to sound like! Another thing for your bucket list.

I started the day photographing the group set up. These environmental photos are great for any organization. They help your customers and followers understand just how much goes into your work. I had no idea what would go into setting up a handbell concert. The group uses special padded tables so they can put the bells down without making noise. And the bells…so many bells…are shined to a tee. After setup, we had a few minutes for a formal group photo and a head shot of the conductor.

After the formal photos were over, there was time for a quick rehearsal before the performance. This time allowed me to get in a bit closer without being a distraction. I captured some images I’d never be able to capture mid-performance.

Finally, it was time for the full performance. I didn’t want to take away from the amazing concert, so I only photographed the first few songs. But as the concert progressed and the sky behind the ensemble changed, I had to take my camera out again. What an amazing backdrop! And the music. It was some of the most gorgeous music I’ve ever heard!