This is one of the first photographs I ever sold.

The band was Free Fall, one of improviser and composer Ken Vandermark's many musical projects. The setting was backstage at the 40 Watt Club in Athens, Georgia during the Athens Creative Music Experience, a small free jazz and improvisational music festival that happened back in 2004.

I had done some design work for the festival organizers (whom I knew through the small free jazz circles I had immersed myself in during that time) and decided to head down to Athens for the whole event. I brought along a 35mm and a bunch of fast film, perfect for capturing the deep dark musical moments.

Before Free Fall was set to perform their live set (those guys rarely found themselves in the same city, let alone the same continent), one of the festival organizers, a buddy of mine, asked me if I would take a photograph of the trio, at Ken's suggestion, while they were all together backstage. It was minutes before the show and the shoot had to happen in less time than that. I found a spot that worked and angled it so that I could catch a little play with the mirror in the room.

The next few minutes after the first shutter click were a blur. I moved around the tiny space as creatively as I could, changed angles, directed the musicians, and continually wiped my forehead on my shirt sleeves from the excitement.

When I was done Ken said thanks and to email him after the festival to talk specifics. He and the band walked out of the room.

I was by myself as I unloaded the film from the camera and labeled the roll. I sat in silence as I replayed what had just happened, still intoxicated from the moments before.

As I gathered up my gear I felt it. This was it! The sensation, the excitement, the instinct, the moment of creation. I had been commissioned to make a photograph and it was one of the greatest feelings ever.

Years later, it still is.