Shining a Light on the Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz: Behind the Scenes Photography of a Live Show

Shooting behind-the-scenes photos for the Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz and the accompanying Meadowlark Media team at SXSW 2022 was a dream come true.

At the Four Seasons in downtown Austin on Ladybird Lake, the whole gang was in tow for two days of live programming.

I worked with their programming and media teams to capture the setting, the crowds, the personalities, and the other folks that make their show the gem that it is.

A trademark of my work is ensuring that the kindness, interpersonal dynamics, and the beauty of people come through. Because the Le Batard Show with Stugotz is largely operates in a podcast medium, it was really important to capture the inside jokes, the smiles, and the hard work that behind the show that makes it all sound so easy and natural.

Thank you so much, Hilde and Meadowlark!

Jessica Smetana at SXSW for The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Chris Wittyngham at SXSW for The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Valerie Scheide at SXSW with The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Stugotz at SXSW for The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Renee Montgomery at SXSW for The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Sirena Grace at SXSW for The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Chris Wittyngham at SXSW for The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Ricky Williams at SXSW for The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

John Skipper at SXSW for The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Stugotz at SXSW for The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Chris Cote at SXSW for The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Renee Montgomery at SXSW for The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Hildelisa Gonzalez at SXSW for The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz microphone

Mike Ryan Ruiz at SXSW for The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Chris Wittyngham at SXSW for The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Ju Ju Gotti at SXSW for The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Billy Gil at SXSW for The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Baron Davis at SXSW for The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Jessica Luther at SXSW for The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Chris Wittnygham at SXSW for The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Mike Ryan Ruiz and Chris Wittyngham at SXSW for The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Blushing Band Album Release - Cheer Up Charlie's

I’m very much in love with Cheer Up Charlie’s in downtown Austin. It’s one of the very few Austin clubs that I will stay up way past my bedtime to visit. It’s an exceptionally unique place with a unique mission to serve and represent Austin’s LGBTQIA community. Week-after-week, and month-after-month the club creates a welcoming environment for all types, sizes, and orientations.

I was invited to come and shoot Blushing’s album release party by the wonderful Trish who founded The Nothing Song, an awesome Austin-based record label. Blushing Band was fantastic, they rocked Cheer Up Charlie’s rock walls, and their personalities were just delightful the whole show :)

One of the things that I’m learning as I edit more-and-more of my pictures from these shows is that I’m not great at photographing action shots of musicians. It’s not that it’s not impressive to me, simply that I really enjoy showing the personality of the place and people at the events. As you’ll see below, there are quite a few rocking shots, but I’m more interested in showing how the colors play off the performers, the attendees, and the venue.

I hope that you enjoy! And, go and check out Blushing’s shows if you have a chance!