Living the life of a rock photographer can be glamorous, however, behind the curtain of glamour lives an entirely different man. The majority of people know me as the crazy rock star photographer, but what they don’t know is that I’m Mr. Mom at home. Balancing these two very different lives can be difficult and exhausting. I’ve learned over the years that in order to succeed in one life, I have to be successful in the other. Going on tour feeds my hunger for creativity, while going home feeds my heart; one without the other, and I’m completely lost.
As I sit here on this tour bus traveling towards Dallas, I can’t help but to wonder what my little girls are doing; leaving them is always difficult. Seeing my girls cry every time I pack for tour is heartbreaking; it always gets me. I try my best to reassure them of a quick return, though that isn’t always the case. To my little girls I’m daddy, not a rock star photographer. The documentary that I’m shooting right now definitely covers this aspect of my life.
;My wife’s view on things are certainly different, she doesn’t like anything about me being on the road. She needs more coddling than my girls; reassuring her of a quick return is laughable, she knows the drill! The stories of rock & roll tour life don’t sit well with her; I know she imagines our tour bus to be a rolling gentlemen’s club with disco balls, stripper poles and high-heeled hookers in lacey lingerie…oh sorry, I got carried away there!
Anyway, my point is, that’s NOT how we roll. Most of the musicians that I tour with are seasoned veterans who have had their best days on the road, if you know what I mean. Most of them are family guys themselves dealing with the same situations at home.
One of the most interesting aspects of living the double life is the transition from being on tour to being at home; this is by far the most difficult time for me. Living on the road is similar to being in high school, there are NO worries; you are completely catered to the entire time. Transitioning from a pampered lifestyle where everything is provided for you, to walking through your front door and being told to feed the kids, take out the trash, do a load of laundry, clean up the living room, is difficult! Whoa, talk about a culture shock. You have to quickly and eagerly adapt to your new environment if you plan on keeping mama happy. It’s only fair…
Other than the transitional period, I absolutely love living the double life; it’s having your cake and eating it too. Whenever I’m feeling the pressure of one life, I gravitate towards the other for comfort; it’s an unusual arrangement, but it works. Again, one life feeds the other, that’s what it’s all about.
Living the life of a rock n roll photographer can only provide so much satisfaction; it’s the balance and combination of the two that gives me fulfillment; however, finding that balance can be extremely difficult.
As my career continues to blossom and my travels become greater, it’s important to me that I remain humbled by my experiences, and that I continue to express love and gratitude towards my family… for putting up with me, of course! Life isn’t easy, things don’t always go your way; it’s how you deal with each situation that determines your future.
dou·ble life: ;Life with two identities: ;a situation in which somebody is simultaneously involved in two sets of circumstances or relationships and keeps each completely separate, and usually secret, from the other.
