Will Byington Photography

A work in progress...

2009-09-25T22:18:00.002-05:00

I have just spent the past couple hours working on my website and blog... and what can I say.... it is still a never-ending work in progress. I am truly amazed at the people who can blog daily... and stay on top of this. To me, it is a challenge and I am working on it. I have gotten in the very bad habit lately of just using my TWITTER updates as blog posts... As of this weekend, I am taking down that option and if you want to see what I am doing, right now... FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER. I am also planning to work on posting longer, more indepth blogs here. Hopefully, due to excellent work from Acapella 360, the company that helped me launch my new website... I will have a better BLOG in place in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, check out my FACEBOOK page and become my friend to see what I am up to. I am hoping to book a bunch of gigs in October.... so if you need something photographed... Let's discuss.

Let me know what you think...

2009-09-23T10:48:00.002-05:00

uploaded pics to facebook from Andrew Bird, SK6ERS, Carbon Leaf & more. Editing more photos today and planning the rest of the week. Ideas?

(updated: September 25, 2009)

2009-09-16T14:40:00.002-05:00

Photo shoot # 2 of 3 this week at a retirement home in the burbs honoring World War II veterans. Very inspiring to be around true heroes!

Thanks to Betsy Shepherd for hiring me to shoot and document these very fun events honoring the vets. It was all based on a ceremony to launch the photography of an excellent photographer named Tom Sanders. Check out his amazing work HERE. He has been traveling the country photographing WWII vets.

Here are a couple of my favorite shots I captured during the events:

2009-09-13T18:07:00.002-05:00

Just posted U2 shots from last nights show to Facebook. Heading back to Soldier Field to enjoy the show tonight on field!

Here are a couple of my favorites:

2009-09-09T15:14:00.002-05:00

Time to learn something new. Assisting photographer David Bergman (www.davidbergman.net) on a shoot in Chicago today. Check out his work!

2009-08-30T16:07:00.001-05:00

We have a winner. Thanks! That was me! " RT @willhogefan1: @willbyington http://twitpic.com/fvmrk sitting next to guy in orange right?"

2009-08-30T13:55:00.001-05:00

At AVP womens's volleyball final heard i was on NBC - Free 8x10 to whoever sends me a pic of me on TV. http://twitpic.com/fvh7u

2009-08-27T14:36:00.003-05:00

People don't believe me when I tell them how close to Wrigley Field I actually live...here is video proof:

2009-08-25T16:22:00.001-05:00

Photos from Pearl Jam @ www.facebook.com/willbyington. Check them out! Bought a mega millions ticket- what would you do with $252 million?

2009-08-25T10:51:00.001-05:00

RT @Chicago: Very Cool Budweiser commercial filmed from the Brown Line in Chicago! Love this: http://is.gd/2wTZB (via @Chicagoist)

2009-08-22T13:20:00.001-05:00

Working my booth at the Lake View Music Fest at Addison & Sheffield. Mention this tweet & save 10%. Come say hello! http://twitpic.com/evhk0

2009-08-21T16:58:00.001-05:00

On way home from a photo shoot, saw Rachael Ray filming her show & she winked at me! Maybe she'll stop by my booth! http://twitpic.com/erjza

Festa T-Shirt photo shoot...

2009-08-20T21:21:00.004-05:00

For the last couple years, I have been the photographer for one of the most innovative and creative t-shirt companies around that produce a great line of original t-shirts. They also put on some of the best Bar Crawls in the country... This past Tuesday night, we did another shoot with two great models. The future shots will be seen on http://www.shopfesta.com/. Check out their website and follow them on Twitter (@festa_tshirts) or Facebook. Basically the idea is that we shoot a BUNCH of blank t-shirts, and then Wayne will work magic with the shirts to photoshop in a variety of designs and locations. See samples on the website.....

Below are two shots that we did on location outside their offices in the Lincoln Square neighborhood of Chicago. These might not be the best of the shots, but Wayne sent me two shots of me at work... and I thought I would try to find what I was looking at through the lens at almost the exact same moment. Let me know what you think!

Thanks to Wayne Watrach (@gratyngrogg) for the photos of me at work. Most of all... if you need a photo shoot of your own... for you, your business, or you know someone looking for a photographer.... Let me know. Booking fall shoots now....

WB

2009-08-20T10:48:00.001-05:00

Great video of the Golden Knights Parachute team dropping in on Wrigley at last Friday's Cubs game: http://tinyurl.com/goldennightswrigley

2009-08-18T14:34:00.001-05:00

Amazing article about inspiring new model for the music business. Congrats @imogenheap. Check this out:http://tinyurl.com/newmusicimogenheap

2009-08-15T12:54:00.002-05:00

Photo shoot with the excellent band The August this afternoon and (since I missed them a month ago) seeing Cowboy Mouth tonight! Who's in?

(updated 8/20/09) - Here are a couple of my favorite shots of The August from the very quick, hungover shoot we did last Saturday. Do you have a favorite? Let me know.

You can see more from this shoot on my facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/willbyington

2009-08-13T23:41:00.002-05:00

Leaving "the goods" movie premiere afterparty at Rockit. Insane night... Just took a picture of Jeremy Piven w/ two army sargents. Nice.

(updated 8/20/09) - Here is the photo of Jeremy Piven at Rockit. Showin' respect to the troops. Awesome.

2009-08-13T12:49:00.001-05:00

Just saw this... Jet Blue offers $599 pass for unlimited flights in a month! http://tinyurl.com/jetblue599. - where would you go?

Lollapalooza 2009 pictures are posted...

2009-08-12T21:58:00.003-05:00

Lollapalooza 2009 has come and gone again... It was 3 days filled with music, friends and lots of insanity. I will post a re-cap soon... but some of my favorite shots have all been posted to my facebook and can be found at: http://www.facebook.com/willbyington

Check them out and let me know what you think!

2009-08-12T13:31:00.001-05:00

Working on new contests for my photography! Also check out my buddy Scott Derenger on TLC tonight. Details at: www.facebook.com/willbyington

2009-08-11T20:28:00.003-05:00

Phish concert at Toyota Park... Great night for music!

(updated: 8/12/09) This was my view from in front of the soundboard...

2009-08-09T19:34:00.002-05:00

Never thought I'd say this... Just went from photographing Snoop Dog to Lou Reed! Gotta love Lollapalooza! Pictures online this week!

(updated 8/12/09): Here are just two of the shots... from Snoop Dogg to Lou Reed.

2009-08-08T21:55:00.001-05:00

Just left Lolla and now heading to Martyrs for the excellent band The August! More music and drinking is a good thing... Right? Bring it on!

2009-08-08T19:28:00.002-05:00

Photographing Lollapalooza day #2.... Ben Harper about to go onstage! The adventure continues...

(updated 8/12/09): One of my favorite shots from the start of Ben Harper's set...

2009-08-07T11:24:00.001-05:00

heading to photograph Lollapalooza day #1... major storms predicted for today in Chicago. Hope it misses us. Great music to be seen...

2009-08-06T12:28:00.001-05:00

posted shots from Paolo Nutini,Erin McCarley, Matt Hires's Chicago show as well as Pete Yorn's XRT studio X to www.facebook.com/willbyington

2009-08-04T17:09:00.001-05:00

long night of editing photos ahead... Pete Yorn, Paolo Nutini, Erin McCarley, Wrigley Rooftops, Friends, and the magician @chicagotim hannig

2009-08-04T12:39:00.001-05:00

Photographing XRT's Live From Studio X with Pete Yorn http://twitpic.com/cr8zt

2009-08-02T15:16:00.001-05:00

Doing a photo shoot w/ magician @timhannig and then the Paolo Nutini / Erin McCarley concert at the Vic tonight! http://twitpic.com/cjmcm

2009-07-30T21:21:00.001-05:00

Trying my first update from the new phone! Took this shot today at Wrigley! Go Cubs Go! http://twitpic.com/c7gn2

2009-07-29T21:04:00.001-05:00

just got the new iPhone 3Gs. What applications should I download? What's the biggest iPhone lesson you now know that you wish you had known?

2009-07-28T16:43:00.001-05:00

One of most creative photographers working today is a mentor of mine David Bergman. All-Star shots of Pres. Obama: http://tinyurl.com/ncdfgq

2009-07-28T09:26:00.001-05:00

A great birthday yesterday and excellent extra inning Cubs win last night - awesome. Thanks for the wishes and thoughts! Now back to work...

2009-07-27T12:52:00.001-05:00

Thank you for the birthday wishes! Blown away by the thoughts- they mean a ton. Tonight, I'll be in the bleachers for the 1st place Cubs.

2009-07-25T13:46:00.001-05:00

taking care of some work on a beautiful day in Chicago. Listening to Cubs game across the street. Taste of Lincoln tonight with Tonic!

2009-07-24T18:17:00.002-05:00

just saw a great Cubs win... heading to Lincoln Park Zoo for Pat McGee/Brett Dennen/Matt Nathanson! Great night of music!

(updated: 7/27/09) - I did not take many photos, but here is one of Matt Nathanson. An EXCELLENT show by all three bands...

2009-07-23T18:25:00.001-05:00

Most of you know. biggest Cubs fan around but have to give it up for Mark Buehrle for throwing a perfect game today in baseball! Just sayin.

2009-07-22T15:56:00.003-05:00

In Naperville getting drivers license renewed and dinner w/parents and granddad who is in town. 3 generations of William Hunter Byington's!

(updated: 7/27/09) ( Three William Hunter Byington's - myself, my Dad and Granddad © 2009)

2009-07-21T10:40:00.002-05:00

Photographing the Billy Joel and Elton John show at Wrigley tonight! Hopefully, will see @benjydavis at MARTYRS (update) if I can make it!

(updated: 7/27/09) - Sadly I did not make the Benjy Davis show at Martyrs..... But I did get to photograph Billy and Elton. A GREAT show....

2009-07-19T12:02:00.002-05:00

Rascal Flatts rocked Wrigley last night. Now onto Sunday Funday - Sheffield Garden Walk with @HelloDave2 and Poi Dog Pondering - you going?

(updated: 7/27/09) - Here are some fun shots from last weekend.... Summer in Chicago continues...

( Rascal Flatts at Wrigley Field. Photo by Will Byington © 2009)

( Mike Himebaugh of Hello Dave at the Sheffield Garden Walk. Photo by Will Byington © 2009)

(Frank Orrall of Poi Dog Pondering at the Sheffield Garden Walk. Photo by Will Byington © 2009)

2009-07-18T16:52:00.001-05:00

photographing Rascal Flatts/Darius Rucker show at Wrigley Field tonight. I have one pair of tickets to the first who wants them..# is on FB

2009-07-18T12:32:00.001-05:00

change of plans...got all-access photo pass to Rascal Flatts. Gonna say hello to Cowboy Mouth and then will be at Wrigley. Text if around!

2009-07-17T10:10:00.002-05:00

Another fun music weekend in Chicago -shows by @blackberrysmoke ,@cowboymouth, @HelloDave2 and more! Sheffield Garden Walk is where i'll be!

(updated 7/27/09) - saw Blackberry Smoke at Joe's. They are one of the best bands on the road today.... if you have not heard them, check them out right now at: http://blackberrysmoke.com/

2009-07-16T21:33:00.002-05:00

on a rooftop watching Billy Joel & Elton John on a great Chicago night. A few pictures coming soon.

(updated 7/27/09) - here is a shot from the rooftop of the stage being set up at Wrigley:

2009-07-16T00:29:00.001-05:00

found I could get a ticket for Billy Joel and Elton John within first 9 rows at Wrigley for face value... but over $200 seems too much!!!

2009-07-14T00:37:00.001-05:00

just uploaded two galleries to my Facebook Fan page - check them out at: http://www.facebook.com/willbyingtonphotos and spread the word!

2009-07-13T21:06:00.001-05:00

"Sometimes when you bring the thunder - you get lost in the storm" -Kenny Powers on East Bound & Down. Along w/ Entourage - some of best TV!

2009-07-11T16:38:00.001-05:00

Listed first item on etsy.com for sale - a limited edition 16x20 canvas stretched print of an Amsterdam canal: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27689229#

Past few weeks... some favorite photos...

2009-07-11T14:17:00.010-05:00

As those of you who follow my adventures know... Summer in Chicago is my favorite time of year and there is never a shortage of fun to be had and excellent shows to photograph and enjoy. To put it mildly, it makes it tough to stay on top of editing photos... and most of all on top of posting blogs. At times, I do ok with this... but my belief in life is that I would rather be out living it than writing about it. I am getting better... but hey... it is an adventure.

So without further ado.... a BIG recap of some of my favorite shots from the past weeks... More coming soon. Let me know what you think - I love the feedback.

(Unknown. July 4, 2009 Photography by Will Byington (http://www.willbyington.com) © 2009)
I love many things about this photo.... but most of all, it shows what I have been thinking for a while now... everyone....and in this day and age, I mean everyone... is a photographer! Love it.

(Sunset over Wrigley. July 8, 2009 Photography by Will Byington (http://www.willbyington.com) © 2009)
This was out the front windows of my apartment.... an amazing sunset over Wrigley Field. Love the sky... heard from a friend that the awesome colors and clouds were due to a volcano that burst in Russia a few weeks ago. Insane.

(Libby and Emily. June 2009. Photography by Will Byington (http://www.willbyington.com) © 2009)

Finally, posted this shot for two sisters that I did a shoot with recently as a gift for their Dad's birthday. Love the shots we came up with, this is one of the ones they gave as a gift. I am always available for custom photo shoots, portraits, headshots, etc. What would YOU like photographed?

As always, please follow me on twitter at: twitter.com/willbyington or friend me on Facebook for the most up to date work and pictures... facebook.com/willbyington

Thank you as always for your support!

2009-07-09T09:47:00.001-05:00

editing and printing some photos for clients and looking for new work - anyone need a photo shoot or a great gift? Let me know!

2009-07-08T10:18:00.001-05:00

Today, half past noon... when the clock strikes 12:34:56, 7.08.09 - for probably the only time in our lives... what will YOU be doing?

2009-07-08T00:14:00.001-05:00

Just uploaded pictures from Barenaked Ladies, Pat McGee, Booker T and the Drive By Truckers, Guster, Buddy Guy and friends all to Facebook

2009-07-08T00:13:00.001-05:00

watched the Cubs loss tonight, but saw them win Monday... so 50/50 not too bad... we will see if they can win the series on Wed.

2009-07-05T15:09:00.001-05:00

just launched a new site with friends. Are you the hottest girl of Wrigley? Want to win $1000? Enter now at http://www.girlsofwrigley.com/

2009-07-04T01:07:00.001-05:00

Great night in Chicago. Happy 4th of July. Saturday = Grant Park for XRT's concert with Buddy Guy, Guster and Booker T & the DBT's. Come on!

2009-06-30T23:04:00.001-05:00

Follow me on Twitter... http://ping.fm/ELL6h - Do you tweet?

2009-06-30T00:07:00.001-05:00

Uploaded pictures from the weekend: Sister Hazel, Josh Kelley, Counting Crows, Better Than Ezra & more: http://ping.fm/wuNIn

2009-06-27T03:53:00.001-05:00

home from excellent night with friends! Saturday do it again! Cubs Crawl in Wrigleyville, Counting Crows at Taste, Better Than Ezra at HOB.

2009-06-26T14:29:00.001-05:00

Sister Hazel and Josh Kelley at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago tonight! Should be an excellent night of music. Text me if you are around!

2009-06-25T12:42:00.001-05:00

editing pix from weeks fun projects.new blog post this afternoon.Fun to be had this weekend. Sister Hazel,Better Than Ezra & more.Who's in?

2009-06-25T00:53:00.001-05:00

Watched the LSU Tigers win the college world series with Better Than Ezra band and crew at Rockit Bar & Grill.It wasn't Alabama but Go SEC!

2009-06-24T11:17:00.002-05:00

Photographing Better Than Ezra for a free show in Pioneer Court on Michigan Ave downtown Chicago! They play at noon! Come by if around!

(update) Here are a couple shots from BTE's lunchtime show on Wednesday:

Better Than Ezra will be playing at the House of Blues in Chicago on Saturday, June 27th. Should be a very fun night!

2009-06-23T11:44:00.002-05:00

Editing weekend events photos and trying to see if I can get enough done to go see the Freddy Jones Band free tonight at North Avenue Beach!

(Update) Here are a couple of my favorite shots from The Freddy Jones Band show for Chicago's Olympic Day at North Ave. Beach on Tuesday night:

If you have never seen this Chicago original.... CHECK THEM OUT.... Excellent music and original songs.

2009-06-21T12:13:00.002-05:00

Happy Father's Day Dad! This shot is from the Friday before Father's Day as I was on the rooftop with my Dad (L) and my Uncle Pat (R) from Birmingham, AL. Go Cubs Go.

Heading to Wrigley Done Right rooftop for a WE ARE CUBS FANS book signing during Cubs game. Taste of Randolph tonight!

2009-06-20T17:01:00.001-05:00

Cubs win! Holy Cow. Taste of Randolph next. My Book Signing at Wrigley Done Right rooftop on Sun-$75 tickets if interested! Food&drink Incl.

2009-06-19T16:01:00.001-05:00

@ cubs game rooftop with my Dad and uncle. Cubs need some runs! Happy Early Father's Day Dad!

2009-06-18T19:18:00.001-05:00

heading to Northerly Island for 2nd time this week. Tonight's show: Robert Randolph & Family Band with OAR. Go Cubs today!

2009-06-17T02:05:00.001-05:00

Still avail-2 excellent seats for Wed Cubs v. Sox for sale. Sec. 425 Row 10. right under press box. Face Value. willbyingtonphotos@gmail.com

2009-06-16T17:56:00.002-05:00

heading to Buddy Guy's Legends club to photograph Buddy's Anniversary Party. Another Rainy night in Chicago! Go Cubs if they play!

(update) A few shots from Buddy Guy's Anniversary Party:

2009-06-16T10:58:00.001-05:00

Father's Day:order anything (prints of Chicago,Bands,WE ARE CUBS FANS book,Europe by Wed night & get 20% off! willbyingtonphotos@gmail.com.

2009-06-14T18:35:00.001-05:00

Cubs win in the 9th, posted Kenny Chesney shots to Facebook and getting ready to join some friends to head for the 311 / Ziggy Marley show!

2009-06-13T22:20:00.002-05:00

@ soldier field watching Kenny Chesney.... have to admit.... a great show!

(update) Here are a couple shots from Soldier Field:

2009-06-13T11:24:00.001-05:00

Many options for the day...Cubs game, rainy street fests and an offer for a free Kenny Chesney ticket tonight. May just return to my roots.

2009-06-12T21:08:00.001-05:00

@ the Chicago Theater for Cubs "WE BELIEVE" movie premiere & bought Randy Wells a beer before it started. Insane.

2009-06-10T11:02:00.001-05:00

posted the best of my pictures from the Europe trip: http://ping.fm/v3pWz Check them out! More soon!

First round of pictures from Europe have been posted...

2009-06-09T15:32:00.002-05:00

http://www.willbyington.com/europe/europephotography.html

After finally getting over jetlag and recovering from 3 straight weeks of non-stop travel and European adventure... I have posted the first batch of the best photos from my trip. These are the best so far... the ones that caught my eye, that were requested by fans, or that I wanted to edit as the trip went along.

There are more where these come from... and I will be adding some in the coming days. If there is a shot that catches your eye... and you want it edited in a special way, or cropped, turned to black & white, etc... let me know. Very open to your ideas.

I look forward to your feedback and thoughts! All the photos within this link are for sale... and can be purchased in any size between 5x7 and 24x36 or bigger. If you have already made a donation... I will be sending you an e-mail. If you would like to purchase any of these shots... please send me an mail by clicking on "I want to buy this photo" within the image name... and it will send me an e-mail with that image #. Again... here is the link. (you will need FLASH to view these images):

http://www.willbyington.com/europe/europephotography.html

Thanks! Enjoy.

2009-06-05T16:47:00.001-05:00

is back in Chicago! Three weeks in Europe FLEW by... More pictures will be posted soon. Thanks for all the comments and suggestions!

2009-06-03T19:53:00.001-05:00

just landed in London. Glad to be out of Finland. Over it.One day here before the trip comes to an end and I head back to Chicago on Friday!

2009-06-02T20:40:00.001-05:00

saw the sunset and sunrise in the past 5 hours in Tampere, Finland. Crazy. Posted more trip photos to Facebook: http://ping.fm/y4PHm

2009-06-02T08:53:00.001-05:00

just got a ticket at the box office for sold out Bruce Springsteen tonight in Tampere, Finland. Wonder how you say "Born To Run" in Finnish?

2009-06-01T13:07:00.001-05:00

landed in Helsinki,Finland!The plan is to see Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band in TampereTuesday night! No ticket yet but I have faith!

2009-05-31T09:15:00.001-05:00

Is loving Paris! Jim Morrison's grave, Sacre Cour & a cafe now! Heading to French Open next!

Paris, France for the weekend...

2009-05-30T14:46:00.003-05:00

A brief update from the road... I am spending the weekend in Paris seeing as many sights as I can within just under 72 hours... and so far I have fit a TON in... walking it all and snapping pictures as fast as my camera will let me.

I have not had internet access as much as I would like and even more so... less time in the hotel room which is a good thing. I will hopefully post some of the latest shots from the past couple days before heading for Finland on Monday.

Thanks for all the suggestions and advice as I trek across Europe. More soon...

WB

2009-05-29T08:01:00.001-05:00

Landed in Paris and about to hit the ground running! Eiffel Tower and SO much more, here I come! If you have a photo request- Get it in now!

2009-05-26T16:21:00.001-05:00

a great day exploring Salzburg. Barcelona is next - you have not let me down yet... send me suggestions for things to see & photograph!!!

iPhone picture on the cover of New Yorker magazine!!!

2009-05-26T02:21:00.002-05:00

So a few weeks ago... my friend Sean Hughes told me about this excellent photographer named Chase Jarvis. (Thanks Sean). This guy is a true inspiration and does truly amazing work! One of the coolest galleries he has on his website though are shots that he took with his iPhone, edited slightly and posted! Amazing. As he says... the best camera is the one he has with him and I could not agree more! Just to prove this point... his blog today talks about the latest cover of the New Yorker magazine... by a fellow photographer.... the COVER OF A MAGAZINE... taken by an iPhone! Check it out. For all those of you thinking your little camera is not good enough... It is. Enjoy.

http://blog.chasejarvis.com/blog/2009/05/iphone-art-graces-cover-of-new-yorker.html

I am heading to Salzburg for the day. I posted some additional photos last night from Prague and Vienna to my Facebook page. Check them out here:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=262305&id=597470353&l=6039adfb55

Keep the donations and ideas coming as well. Here is the way it works again... For a $20 donation... a % of which goes to the great charity Imerman Angels.... You send me on assignment... Look at my places I am going in Europe and suggest a photo you would like taken... For $20 I will try to capture your image... and at the end of my trip, you get an 8x10 of your shot! It is that easy!

http://www.willseuropeanadventure.com

Have a great day.

2009-05-25T18:56:00.001-05:00

just uploaded a few shots from Prague and Vienna to Facebook! Salzburg day trip on Tues & onto Barcelona Wed! Donate: http://ping.fm/iJZjx

2009-05-24T17:19:00.001-05:00

what's that you say? I can't hear you cause I just had my face and ears ROCKED off by AC/DC in Vienna, Austria! What a show! See that band!

2009-05-23T16:07:00.001-05:00

Taking the 6am train to Vienna and seeing AC/DC at an outdoor stadium Sunday night - then chilling in Vienna till Wed. Any suggestions?

Amsterdam to Prague...

2009-05-22T11:27:00.003-05:00

Took the overnight train from Amsterdam to Prague and just spent the day seeing Churches and Castles older than the USA. Can't figure out the money though! Damn Alabama education! Sunday morning... onto Vienna.

The picture taking opportunities here are endless. Thank you to all my friends who suggested a stop here. I will hopefully post some of the best from today tomorrow night before leaving for Vienna. I will say one thing that has been hard so far is the writing aspect of this journey. By the time I am done sightseeing and taking pictures around town... and then edit the best shots for posting on the web... it is quite late and I feel the smart thing to do is to rest... and get ready for another day. I hope to process some of my thoughts at the end of my trip and I will attempt to journal some of the thousands of thoughts going through my head.

In the meantime... Hop on Facebook and you can check out the first sets of shots I have posted here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=262305&id=597470353&l=6039adfb55

And remember- there is still PLENTY of time to get your request in for a personal photo from Europe. Check out the details and make a charity donation at: http://www.willseuropeanadventure.com

2009-05-20T02:27:00.002-05:00

Headed out for a bike tour of Amsterdam and bumming around today. Tomorrow (Thursday)...a visit to the Heineken Brewery before catching a train to Prague in the evening! This town is amazing! I will say finding the time to blog and write the stories from the road is slightly a challenge... It is now 2:15am in Amsterdam and I have been going all day... The funny thing is that it is only 7:15 back home, the Cubs game is just starting and I am wide awake. I know tomorrow though will be a LONG day... so just a notice that I uploaded some more shots to my Facebook page... you can see them online there. Add me as a friend and follow along for the adventure. Thanks to everyone who has donated so far... keep the photo challenges coming in...

Here are a few more of my selected shots from one of my new favorite places on earth:

Enjoy.... and remember, you can make a donation... and request me to go on assignment and take a photo of your choice during my travels. A % of your donation goes to charity and at the end of my trip, you get a free 8x10 print. Check out all the details at http://www.willseuropeanadventure.com! More from me in the coming days...

2009-05-19T04:03:00.001-05:00

Flying to Amsterdam... More details and pictures coming soon at http://ping.fm/S1xsH!

Counting Crows show postponed!

2009-05-18T14:37:00.002-05:00

The Trip is off to a great start! For the most part.... The flight from O'Hare was smooth and the travel from London to the small seaside town of Bournemouth went without a hitch...

I met up with my friend Vanessa who had been in London for a few days and now is along for the adventure for the next week.... and we trained it southwest of London to see The Counting Crows and The Hold Steady in what should have been a small, unique out of the states concert experience.... Except....

Adam Duritz of Counting Crows is SICK - the show was canceled! What to do on a Monday night in Bournemouth, UK??? After walking around in disbelief for a while... and talking to others who had traveled from Spain, Sweden and other points near and far.... we checked out the beach down the street - quite empty due to the 61 degree temps... and hit a local pub for dinner and drinks.

Tomorrow, we head to Amsterdam... and the adventure continues. Remember to get your photo request in NOW and I will take photos for you. A % of each donation goes to charity... Check it out now... http://www.willseuropeanadventure.com.

2009-05-18T05:14:00.001-05:00

In London, going to the small town of Bournesmouth for the Counting Crows/Hold Steady tonight! Follow along at http://ping.fm/yISdc

2009-05-15T18:34:00.001-05:00

booking travel for 2nd half of European adventure! I leave Sunday! Get your charity donations and photo requests in NOW @ http://ping.fm/hw8RW!

2009-05-12T17:51:00.002-05:00

Saw Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band in Chicago Tuesday night!

Next time I see him will be in Finland. Insane. http://ping.fm/hRtev!

Europe here I come...

2009-05-12T00:32:00.003-05:00

I'm going to Europe May 17-June 5th! Send me on assignment! Get an 8x10 for a $20 donation & a % goes to charity! Go to my website for more details: http://www.willseuropeanadventure.com!

Here are the basics:
The idea is this.... 10 years ago this year, I took Amtrak 14,000 miles around the USA
and Canada over 24 days. Now it is time to see the rest of the world...
One step at a time - This May, I am planning a trek across the pond and beyond.
From May 17th till June 5th I will visit Europe and I want you to send me
on assignment! I will backpack around Europe, taking pictures that you suggest and
photographing shows along the way by the Counting Crows and The Hold Steady
- together in England, AC/DC in Vienna, Austria and Bruce Springsteen in Finland.

As a professional photographer, I often sell my original images from the world I see.
This time, you get to suggest photos you might like for me to capture. I will be posting my
schedule as it is planned... and you can offer suggestions for photo shoots I should aim for.
I can’t promise to get every shot, every time... but I will do my best. At the end of the trip,
I will have a large gallery of images from which you can choose or any of my other original photos.

For a $20 donation in advance... you can make a selection at the end of the journey from my gallery of a free 8x10 print. I will be blogging, twittering and updating galleries along the way
so you can follow me every step of the way throughout Europe.

A % of every advance purchase will be donated to one of my favorite charities called
Imerman Angels (http://www.imermanangels.org/)
- where they connect people who have cancer with people who had cancer.

(I have been told this works best in Safari, Firefox or the latest versions of IE - You can also send a donation directly to my paypal account at will@willbyington.com)

Use the PAYPAL button to contribute $20 and get a free 8x10 photo from my galleries after the trip! You can request an assigned photo and while I am

in Europe, if time and planning permits - I will use my photographic eye and try to get your desired shot. If I am unable to capture your suggested shot, you still get to

pick out an image from my online galleries. There is no money back and as mentioned - a % of money donated will be given to a charity of my choice.

PLANS AS OF MAY 12, 2009

SUN - 5/17 - FLY to London, United Kingdom via Virgin Airways

MON - 5/18 - Counting Crows and The Hold Steady in Bournemouth, UK - 2 hours from London. Venue: Bournemouth International Centre

5/19 & 5/20 and day of 5/21 - Amsterdam

5/22 & 5/23 - Prague

SUN - 5/24 - AC / DC in Vienna, Austria at Venue: Ernst Happel Stadion.

5/25 till 6/1 - still planning.... but as of now thoughts include Rome, Barcelona, Paris and maybe Switzerland or Sweden

TUES - 6/2 - Bruce Springsteen & E Street Band in Tampere, Finland Venue: Ratinan Stadion

6/3 & 6/4 - Travel back to London, UK

FRI - 6/5 - FLY from London, United Kingdom to Chicago, IL via Virgin Airways

2009-05-11T14:56:00.001-05:00

sitting at my parent's house in Naperville celebrating Mother's Day a day late... Thank u Mom. Uploading pictures from the weekend as well!

Wrigleyville Relay, Meet New People Party and more...

2009-05-09T12:20:00.002-05:00

This past Saturday was a busy day -shot XRT's Wrigleyville Relay Bar Crawl,Toon's for WE ARE CUBS FANS & Jim's book signing and "Meet New People" charity party!

Pictures from the events can be found here:

www.WXRT.com - Gallery from the 14th Annual Wrigleyville Relay

I also shot my friends Trudy, Sandra and Sally's MEET NEW PEOPLE charity event for Breat Cancer awareness. It was an excellent party for a great cause. The pictures can be found on Facebook.

Sandra, Sally and Trudy - Hosts of the Meet New People Party

See more pictures HERE.

Thanks as always for checking out my work. Let me know if you have anything in the future that you need photographed. I am always up for an adventure.

2009-05-08T11:20:00.001-05:00

Sitting @Caribou Coffee downtown Chicago with tech master & high school friend Brian Palm taking a look@my two crashed drives! Thanks Brian!