When photographing musicians in recording studios or on location, always expect the unexpected. This time I was in a small recording studio in a quiet part of town, with two accomplished artists creating original music and laying down some tracks. I was invited to come make some pictures to record the event and I accepted without hesitation. The recording was for the Blues Duo “Crosstown 2” that I have photographed many times before. Looking forward to experiencing the recording session because I had not heard all of the new songs yet and was very interested in the new music they had created. The camera has opened so many doors for me, more that I can remember. I was shooting without a blimp to quiet the sound of the camera, so shooting between takes was required. Wanting to blend into the shadows and walls, not trip over all the cords, cables and mic stands, sitting with the camera in my lap between takes, closing my eyes, listening to the music was inspiring and doing this helped me get my photo groove on. Lighting was not great but adequate in the cramped small venue. Working with what you have sometimes is freeing and in this instance worked in my favor. First I photographed both of the musicians Bob and Ken together and then separately. Near the end of the recording session Ken the guitarist was running through a song for the second time just before the last take. Steve was on the control board and Bob the harmonica player, vocalists and I were all sitting quietly, intensely listening to Ken play. The way Ken played was so sincere and heartfelt that for a moment I almost could not bring the camera up to my eye to frame the shot. But thankfully my desire to create was fueled by the music and I captured several frames, image number 8656 was my choice. Including a microphone in the frame gives the photo depth and scale. The simplicity of the photograph speaks to the clean simple melody that was played with such reverence. And for me this image in black & white echoes the mood and feeling of the song.