ALL ACCESS: Behind-the-Scenes as an Official Photographer at the JUNO Awards in Vancouver

Now that was a party. As a photographer, every moment is a potential shot. Especially if you’re in one of the most beautiful places in Canada surrounded by literal rock stars from every facet of the Canadian music industry. Plus, open bars.

Here are some of my favourite captures from four days at the JUNO Awards week in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. Here’s what I jotted down in my phone throughout the weekend to complement the photos below:

I made friends with Fred Penner. #Beardgang / Drinks with the Beaches, they rule! / I’m standing behind Win Butler as he prays with his band before going onstage to perform “Everything Now.” I literally feel everything. now. / Clairmont the Second and Cadence Weapon standout show on East Hastings down at the Rickshaw. Don’t forget this. / Currently in a secret room behind a massive bookshelf at Parq Vancouver with Scott Helman, this place is amazing. / Sharing a proper Vancouver joint with my boy, Sam, on the first night / Just met a very shy GRIMES backstage / Arkells literally lighting it on fire 🔥, Knockin’. And with that, I present some of my favourite captures as a photographer for the 2018 JUNO Awards in Vancouver. Xo

Scott Helman at the JUNOs

JUNO Cup hockey in Vancouver

JUNOs CEO Allan Reid having a laugh

Ruth B and Gregor Robertson

JUNO Cup hockey in Vancouver

Music Canada JUNOs welcome reception

Hanging with the Beaches at JUNO Awards

Scott Helman handing out new instruments for Music Counts

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson and Dan Mangan at JUNOs

Tesla at the JUNOs

D.J. Demers performing at JUNOs Comedy

Jeffrey Remedios and Lucia Graca at JUNOs

Scott Helman performing

Tesla JUNOs activation

Lights on the red carpet at JUNOs Gala 2018

Sebastian Grainger and Rodney Murphy at JUNOs Gala 2018

Behind the scenes on JUNO TV

Tesla at Arcade Fire accepting their International Acheivement JUNO at Gala 2018

Clairmont the Second performing at JUNOs Gala 2018

Tom Power hosting the JUNOs Gala 2018

JUNOs Gala 2018

The Beaches on JUNO TV after winning Breakthrough Group at JUNO Awards

JUNO Fest

The Green Carpet at JUNO Awards Gala in Vancouver

Red Carpet with Maestro Fresh Wes

Allan Reid at The JUNO Awards Gala in Vancouver

Win Butler at Arcade Fire accepting their International Acheivement JUNO at Gala 2018

The JUNO Awards Gala in Vancouver

The JUNO Awards Gala in Vancouver

Behind-the-scenes at JUNO TV

Fred Penner live on JUNO TV

Terra Lightfoot at JUNO fest in Vancouver

Arcade Fire accepting their International Acheivement JUNO at Gala 2018

JUNO Fan Fare

Daniel Caesar at the JUNO Fan Fare

Yoga at the JUNOs

Lights at JUNO Fan Fare

Fans getting red carpet passes

Yoga at the JUNOs

Inside Vancouver’s brilliant Orpheum Theatre

Scott Helman at JUNOs Singer-Songwriter Circle

The crowd at JUNOs Singer-Songwriter Circle in Vancouver

Ruth B performing at JUNOs Singer-Songwriter Circle

Jim Cuddy at JUNOs Singer-Songwriter Circle

JUNO red carpet moments

Barenaked Ladies interview on JUNO red carpet

Fred Penner, the legend, on the JUNOs red carpet

Lights on red carpet with her fans.

Michael Buble hosting the JUNO Awards Vancouver 2018

Daniel Caesar and his R&B win at JUNO Awards 2018

Jerry Cans starting it up at JUNO Awards

Daniel Caesar live at JUNOs

Daniel Caesar live at JUNOs

GRIMES and Buffy Saint Marie at JUNOs

Jessie Reyez on her Breakthrough Artist JUNO win

The reunion of North Touch at JUNOs

Max Kerman backstage with his back-up singers

Max of Arkells ready for the Rally Cry

Pure fire from Arkells at JUNOs Vancouver 2018

The boys in Arkells lighting up JUNO Awards 2018

The boys in Arkells lighting up JUNO Awards 2018

The boys in Arkells lighting up JUNO Awards 2018

The boys in Arkells lighting up JUNO Awards 2018

Sarah Harmer and City and Colour honouring the late Gord Downie at JUNO Awards

Barenaked Ladies reunion at JUNO Awards 2018

The boys in Arkells lighting up JUNO Awards 2018

Jessie Reyez, backstage after JUNO performance

Jessie Reyez celebrating JUNO win

Barenaked Ladies reunion

Geddy Lee announcing Barenaked ladies

Jessie Reyez, Daniel Caesar and team celebrating their JUNO wins

Daniel Caesar celebrating backstage at JUNOs

NDP leader Jagmeet Singh backstage at JUNOs

Grimes backstage. A quick protrait.

The Jerry Cans on set with JUNO TV

Sam + Casey Celebrating ending JUNO TV

Allan Reid, CEO of JUNOs, watching backstage

Michael Buble finishing his hosting job

The balloons falling for Barenaked Ladies reunion

See more of my music-related photography here.