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Michael Zamora/NPR
All of us have a favourite Tiny Desk live performance. In 2023, NPR hosted 120 Tiny Desk live shows. We requested NPR photographers to share there favourite photos and their ideas about photographing Tiny Desk live shows.
Can generally be chaotic
Tiny Desk days can generally be chaotic, however when it is all stated and completed, they’re at all times a blast.
So once I get the chance to be entrance row with a digital camera at one in all these performances, I would like that exuberance and pleasure that I really feel to return by way of. A few of my favourite photos I made this 12 months on the Tiny Desk showcased that feeling.
Sam Smith excitedly huddling along with his background singers after ending his set.
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Michael Zamora/NPR
Maluma feeling the beat (and flexing his biceps). And Noname giving me so many choices I had a tough time narrowing down my very own edit.
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Michael Zamora/NPR
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Michael Zamora/NPR
However the picture of Hayden Pedigo stood out to me for various causes. It is uncommon the desk is not completely filled with individuals and devices behind it. His fantastic solo set gave me an opportunity to a seize a quieter, considerably cleaner and extra introspective second, that are a few of my favourite sorts of photos to make.
— Michael Zamora, NPR Visuals Editor and Producer
How does a set translate to intimate setting
Watch the Fred once more.. Tiny Desk live performance right here.
Zayrha Rodriguez/NPR
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Zayrha Rodriguez/NPR
Fred once more.. was the primary Tiny Desk live performance at evening for the reason that pandemic, whereas the timing of this live performance was totally different, I used to be extra inquisitive about how a Fred once more.. set would translate to the Tiny Desk.
However after the primary jiffy I knew this was going to be a memorable Tiny Desk. It was an honor to see Fred once more.. do his craft in such an intimate setting. He pushed what might be completed behind this workplace desk.
Watch the Olivia Rodrigo Tiny Desk live performance right here.
Zayrha Rodriguez/NPR
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Zayrha Rodriguez/NPR
Whereas that is Olivia Rodrigo‘s second Tiny Desk live performance, that is the primary one behind the precise desk. Olivia’s efficiency was stuffed with Olivia’s emotion and rawness.
Additionally, she confirmed her musical vary by enjoying the piano and the guitar and singing together with her band and with out them. Really a pleasure to see her carry out songs that I’ve been listening to on repeat since her album GUTS got here out.
— Zayrha Rodriguez, NPR Visuals Editor and Producer
From leaping on the desk to voguing along with his leg within the air
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Keren Carrion/NPR
The primary time I heard of Durand Bernarr was on the day of his Tiny Desk. Since then, I’ve not shut up about his unimaginable efficiency and stage presence.
Bernarr is without doubt one of the few who used the whole house at his disposal, from leaping onto the desk, dancing amongst the gang, voguing along with his leg within the air, present process an outfit change, burning incense and belting vocals all through all of it.
That is one in all my favourite photos I captured of Bernarr thanking the gang after his efficiency, exhibiting his infectious power and the way proud he and his workforce are – in any case, they had been dressed because the Proud Household for a purpose.
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Keren Carrion/NPR
Becky G was simply comfortable to be there, and you could possibly inform.
Though the picture is barely out of focus, I really like this body as a result of it captures her pleasure proper after performing her first track, “Bailé Con Mi Ex,” the place she began hyping up the gang and her personal band.
She’s one of many greatest stars in Latin music, and but she expressed herself so humbly and with a lot gratitude, and even invited up-and-coming artist DannyLux to carry out together with her throughout the live performance.
— Keren Carrion, NPR Visuals Editor and Producer
Iconic songs deliver pleasure to the workplace
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Grace Widyatmadja/NPR
Nile Rodgers and CHIC introduced an unimaginable power and a lot pleasure to our workplace. It was an incredible expertise to be within the room and take heed to their iconic songs on this intimate setting. The Tiny Desk is without doubt one of the most particular issues about NPR and I really feel very fortunate any time I get to be a small a part of it.
Watch the Sweeney Todd Tiny Desk live performance right here.
Grace Widyatmadja/NPR
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Grace Widyatmadja/NPR
Broadway on the Tiny Desk is at all times such a deal with! I am at all times so excited to see how these exhibits take their large stage productions and share their songs with our viewers. It was unimaginable to look at Josh Groban, Annaleigh Ashford and all of the gifted people from Sweeney Todd share their present with us!
— Grace Widyatmadja, NPR Visuals Editor and Producer
Capturing totally different vibes
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Estefania Mitre/NPR
By photographing Tiny Desk live shows, I’ve not solely found new music, I’ve additionally realized learn how to seize totally different feelings and evaluating the power every artist brings.
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Estefania Mitre/NPR
From Ivy Queen‘s religious tia vibes to Kany Garcia‘s joyful power, discovering the proper angle that connects with the ambiance they carry.
Watch the Gregorio Uribe Tiny Desk live performance right here.
Estefania Mitre/NPR
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Estefania Mitre/NPR
— Estefania Mitre, NPR Visuals Editor and Producer
Feeling the power, emotion and keenness by way of the picture
Watch the Publish Malone Tiny Desk live performance right here.
Catie Uninteresting/NPR
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Catie Uninteresting/NPR
This Tiny Desk picture is one in all my favorites as a result of Publish Malone is one in all my favourite artists (#1 based on my Spotify Wrapped) and it was a dream come true to {photograph} him. He gave his full all to his present, regardless of being in the midst of a tour. I really feel like this picture actually captures the power he dropped at the desk throughout his efficiency.
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Catie Uninteresting/NPR
I had by no means heard of RAYE earlier than, however attending her Tiny Desk and photographing her made me a fan. I really like this picture as a result of you may really feel her emotion by way of the picture. She introduced ardour and vivacity to her efficiency, and I believe this picture exemplifies that.
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Catie Uninteresting/NPR
Juvenile’s present was essentially the most energetic Tiny Desk efficiency I’ve ever seen. Not simply energetic, however so enjoyable. Everybody within the room was having the time of their lives. I really like this picture as a result of you may really feel that everybody behind the desk is having simply as a lot enjoyable because the viewers.
— Catie Uninteresting, NPR Visuals editor and producer
Do we have now to depart?
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Elizabeth GIllis/NPR
Omar Sosa & Seckou Keita’s Tiny Desk efficiency had me smiling for the remainder of the day. This trio introduced such infectious pleasure and playfulness into the workplace on that day, and I am unable to take a look at these photos with out enthusiastic about that optimistic power.
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Elizabeth Gillis/NPR
At one level throughout this Tiny Desk, Tank says to the viewers, “We do not wish to go away. Do we have now to depart?”
The response is a loud and clear “No.” Tank’s crowd work right here is unmatched. This efficiency was stuffed with huge hits and spectacular vocals, however manages to really feel so intimate and laid again.
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Elizabeth Gillis/NPR
Caroline Polachek’s Tiny Desk live performance was for me, personally, one of many most-anticipated occasions of 2023. I used to be already an enormous fan, and listening to her effortlessly ship these flawless vocals stay solely deepened my admiration for her music and artistry. This video is now in my common Tiny Desk rotation.
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Elizabeth Gillis/NPR
Photographing Anne Akiko Meyers was such a deal with. We do not usually have violinists go to the desk, and visually I wasn’t positive what to anticipate. Virtually instantly I used to be struck by how a lot emotion was packed into every word. These songs are fascinating, and it is easy to get misplaced on this efficiency.
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Elizabeth Gillis/NPR
Some of the-rewarding assignments I had in 2023 was photographing the Tiny Desk Contest winner Little Moon. I’ve witnessed many artists, even actually well-liked ones, geek out over the chance to carry out on NPR’s little stage.
It is particularly gratifying to see how the desk is usually a device for showcasing lesser-known expertise. You get to see individuals dwelling out a dream with their family and friends trying on from the viewers with a lot pleasure and love.
— Elizabeth Gillis, NPR Visuals Editor and Producer