After a few busy weeks, I'm back home and plugged in to the office working on the website! Writing blog posts, like this one, and if you've jumped around my site you might notice some layout and logo changes. I spent the last 2 days in CSS land, teaching myself how to make changes along the way. There's a new image gallery too, so keep reading this post to see what it's all about...
Over the last few years I've been blessed with chances to shoot some really talented and respected stand-up comics. I was introduced, or should I say allowed, to go to these shows a few years ago when my Uncle (Jermy Hotz) came for the Just For Laughs tours in Ontario.
It was only natural that I would bring my camera along. In-turn I was able to hang out and shoot from front row and backstage vantage points. The performances and personalities I’ve witnessed through the short journeys are so fun and interesting it became a kind of infatuation. It’s an opportunity I never dreamed I’d get the chance of shooting; hearing some of the funniest acts in North America; I just had to remind myself there are pictures to take between the laughing fits.
Jeremy Hotz performs at Massey Hall in Toronto on The Magical Misery Tour, 2013
Some of the best shots came out of the Just For Laughs Gala Montreal Comedy Festival. They rigged up Club Soda for a TV production of the various stand-ups, so the stage design and lighting was spectacular.
Jimmy Carr performs at Club Soda for talk of the fest in Montreal during the Just For Laughs Gala, 2012
More recently was Jeremy Hotz’s own Magical Misery Tour, which took him across Canada to sold out audiences at some pretty renowned venues. He wanted me to shoot some photos on the Ontario leg of the tour, so I hopped in the van with him to shows in Ottawa, Kitchener, Hamilton and Toronto.
En Route through Toronto to the next stop, Angry Birds is his time-killer vice.
I got to see what it’s like for comics on the road, and what it takes to prepare for their shows firsthand. I can tell you It’s not as pretty as you might think! Taking a kind of journalistic approach when he wasn’t on stage, I started collecting some candid moments of everything in between what he loves most, being on stage.
The complaints about contact lenses are real...
Everything that happens off stage just feeds his misery. If you know Jeremy’s style, it’s a blessing and a bit of a curse but it all adds to the hilarity of the things. Even if I wasn’t related, I would definitely be able to relate to his comedy and be a fan regardless.
Even after a few hours of performing, nothing slows down.
While meeting up with my uncle for a few days, I’ve gotten to see some pretty awesome acts. Among The Montreal Gala, Canadian Comedy Awards, and everything in between, I have somehow found myself in the same room as Dane Cook, Tom Green, Mike MacDonald, Harland Williams, John Pinette, Allyson Smith and Jessica Kirson to rattle off a few for your interests sake. Sometimes I had the cojones to take some photos, but often enough decided against due to fom the look of fear and anxiety in their eyes before getting on stage in front of thousands.
Dane Cook, Greg Fitzimmons, Jeremy Hotz, Harland Williams, and Bruce Hills (JFL COO) Backstage at the Montreal JFL Gala, 2013
I still have a lot of images taking up space on my hard drives, waiting for the right project. With that being said I invite you to keep in touch with Jeremy on his social media accounts and my ongoing work as a freelance photographer through this blog and social outlets for news and updates!
Jeremy Hotz Comedian - Twitter, Facebook, Official Website
Josh Hotz Photographer - Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, Linked in