• POSED
    • NORTHERN SUMMERS in MICHIGAN
    • CREATING A FISHWHEEL in NIKOLAI, ALASKA for NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
    • PROJECT APOLLO in DEARBORN for FORD MOTOR CO.
    • BUILDING BRIDGES GALA in DETROIT for POPE FRANCIS CENTER
    • MUSTANG MACH E x GHOSTLY INTERNATIONAL in ANN ARBOR for FORD MOTOR Co.
    • DYER'S RUN FOR SHERIFF in YPSILANTI for WASHTENAW COUNTY DEPUTY SHERIFF CAMPAIGN
  • COLOR
  • RECENT WORK
  • ABOUT ME
  • WORK WITH ME
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Charlotte Smith | Photographer

Michigan based. Available for travel.
  • POSED
  • PROJECTS
    • NORTHERN SUMMERS in MICHIGAN
    • CREATING A FISHWHEEL in NIKOLAI, ALASKA for NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
    • PROJECT APOLLO in DEARBORN for FORD MOTOR CO.
    • BUILDING BRIDGES GALA in DETROIT for POPE FRANCIS CENTER
    • MUSTANG MACH E x GHOSTLY INTERNATIONAL in ANN ARBOR for FORD MOTOR Co.
    • DYER'S RUN FOR SHERIFF in YPSILANTI for WASHTENAW COUNTY DEPUTY SHERIFF CAMPAIGN
  • COLOR
  • RECENT WORK
  • ABOUT ME
  • WORK WITH ME
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A candid wide photo of Jacob Collier performing a concert with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra on stage at Hill Auditorium

Color and Sound: Photographing the Ann Arbor Symphony with Jacob Collier & Chris Thile

Charlotte Smith October 30, 2025

What a night! Photographing the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra with Jacob Collier and Chris Thile was such a treat — two absolute musical talents who somehow make performing look effortless and joyful at the same time.

A candid photo of Jacob Collier performing a concert with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra on stage at Hill Auditorium
A candid photo of Chris Thile performing a concert with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra on stage at Hill Auditorium

The energy in the hall was unreal. The audience was encouraged to be a part of the performance, singing along, interacting with Jacob, and that kind of atmosphere makes it so much fun to shoot — it gave me permission to play around more photographically and try new things.

A candid photo of an audience listening to Jacob Collier performing with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra at Hill Auditorium.
A candid photo of Suzier Collier leading the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra while her son Jacob performs on stage at Hill Auditorium

The stage lighting was another highlight (literally) — so colorful!!!! - It made for the perfect playground to experiment and play. One of my favorite photographers, Jackie Lee Young, shoots for a number of musicians, but I especially love her concert photography with Khruangbin. I found myself channeling that same vibe during this show — leaning into the color and letting the light tell part of the story.

A candid photo of the audience being illuminated by light during Jacob Collier performing a concert with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra on stage at Hill Auditorium
A candid photo of Chris Thile performing a concert with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra on stage at Hill Auditorium
A candid photo of Jacob Collier and Chris Thile performing a concert with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra on stage at Hill Auditorium

Just one of those nights that reminds me how lucky I am to do this work — where sound, light, and emotion all collide in the best way possible.

A candid photo of the audience applauding during a Jacob Collier performing a concert with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra on stage at Hill Auditorium
A candid photo of Chris Thile performing a concert with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra with colorful stage lighting on stage at Hill Auditorium

Thank you to everyone at the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra for inviting me back to document the arts and the joy they bring to our community. It’s a privilege to capture how music and the arts create connection and remind us that creativity is a fundamental part of the human experience—enduring through every era and challenge. I’m so grateful to do what I love alongside people who care so deeply about their craft.

In Ann Arbor Photography, event photography, Concert photography, behind the scenes, Music and Arts Tags Ann Arbor symphony orchestra, Jacob Collier, Chris Thile, Suzie Collier, Ann Arbor Concert Photography, Live Music Photography, Performance Photography, Michigan Photographer, creative photography, event storytelling, music and arts ann arbor, A2SO, colorful photography
 

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