Mayhem Fest 2013 in Austin, TX

My first time shooting at the Austin 360 Amphitheater was for Mayhem Fest with Rob Zombie...not too shabby.

I started out in the press tent, accompanying Darren from LouderThanHell.net during interviews with Finnish hottie,

Alexi Laiho

Alexi Laiho from Children of Bodom (bucket list check!), followed by interviews with Amon Amarth, Mastodon, and Chris from Five Finger Death Punch.

I've been shooting 5FDP for many years. Ya know, back in the tiny clubs when nearly no one knew who they were. Now they're main stage and while I've had some ups and downs with the band, I must give a horns up to drummer, Jeremy Spencer for going out of his way for me to help me with my photo pass issues I was encountering.

Jeremy Spencer - 5FDP

Piggy D.

We interviewed Piggy D. from Rob Zombie's band and sat front row for an interview with Mr. Rob Zombie himself (bucket list, check two!)...

Then off trudging through the ATX desert to shoot Children of Bodom, up to the VIP press tent for the typical hurry-up-and-wait trips to and from the photo pit of the main stage...

It was a long, hotter-than-hell, LouderThanHell night! A plethora of pics are posted on my website, KimStockPhotography.com

RIP Mitch Lucker - Suicide Silence

I didn't know him personally, other than to capture his stellar live performances. My only personal encounter with Mitch was at a bar in Syracuse, NY. A bouncer was giving me a hard time and tried to make me leave because I had my camera without a pre-issued pass. Mitch witnessed the scene and told the bouncer I was with him and to leave me alone. A random act of kindness from a fierce metal music performer that I've always appreciated. The metal community lost an icon today. RIP Mitch and thank you for all you've left behind! Another life taken too soon. Tragic.

Austin Business Awards Event

What an introduction to Austin!!

After living here for only a month, my first major photo shoot (other than concerts, of course) was for the 900-person Austin Business Awards.

It was such a great night! I met some wonderful people in a room full of smiles and "FREE HUGS". Austin is fun and full of great energy!