Detroit Rock Photographer Spotlight: Erik Aratari
Erik Aratari is a Highland, Michigan native. He’s covered Detroit rock concerts for 12 years for WCSX and our sister station, WRIF. When did you start taking concert photos? I…
Erik gets a pic of the Pine Knob crowd.
Erik AratariErik Aratari is a Highland, Michigan native. He's covered Detroit rock concerts for 12 years for WCSX and our sister station, WRIF.
When did you start taking concert photos?
I like to say I officially started shooting photos at Mayhem Fest 13’ featuring Zombie, FFDP and more. I didn’t own a camera yet when I applied and got approved. Bought one that week.
Erik AratariDo you remember the first show you shot?
The first time I remember experiencing a photo pit was for Lamb of God and In Flames at the Fillmore in 2012. A buddy randomly gave me a pass so I went down and checked it out. I only had my iPhone at the time, which is really frowned upon but I didn’t know at the time. That show is what encouraged me to request a photo pass for Mayhem Fest 13’.
Erik AratariWhat is one of your all-time favorite concerts in Detroit and why?
Thats a really hard one but I’ll have to go with Metallica. They’re who really got me into rock and metal. And to be able to photograph the biggest band in the world was unbelievable.
Erik AratariWhat’s one of the strangest concerts you ever photographed?
I think I have to say the Up and Smoke Tour at the Masonic feat Snoop Dogg, Warren G and Bone Thugs n Harmony. There was definitely a lot of smoke.
Erik AratariWhat are your favorite concert venues to shoot in?
I love the Fillmore, everything about it. It always has great lighting and killer bands. St. Andrews is a close second.
Erik AratariIt’s all about the people watching… do you have some favorite concert attendee photos?
I don’t really turn and shoot the crowd much but one set that was fun and memorable was during A Day To Remember at Inkrceration Festival. I was shooting from next to the soundboard and they had tons of crowd surfers and people surfing on the crowd surfers.
Erik AratariErik Aratari Gallery
For larger images, visit the Erik Aratari Gallery
Erik Aratari is a Highland, Michigan native. He's covered Detroit rock concerts for 12 years for WCSX and our sister station, WRIF.
Erik AratariKISS: DTE 2021
Erik Aratari
Erik AratariKISS: DTE 2021
Erik Aratari
Erik AratariAlice Cooper: Pine Knob 2021
Erik Aratari
Erik AratariAlice Cooper: Pine Knob 2021
Erik AratariThe Black Crowes: Pine Knob 2021
Erik AratariDead & Company: Pine Knob 2021
Erik AratariUp in Smoke Tour: Masonic 2016
Up In Smoke Snoop Dog
Erik AratariMetallica: Comerica Park 2017
Metallica Detroit 2017
Erik AratariMetallica: Comerica Park 2017
Metallica Detroit 2017-2
Erik AratariErik Aratari
Erik AratariGuess Who: Arts Beats & Eats 2021
The Guess Who
Erik AratariJoe Bonamassa: The Fox Theatre 2021
Erik AratariCrowd at Inkrceration.
Erik AratariThe Flimore crowd through a fishbowl.
Erik Aratari
Erik AratariRob Zombie
Rob Zombie
Erik AratariLamb of God at The Filmore 2012
Erik Aratari
Erik AratariTalented crowd at the Inkcarceration Festival (it's held at the Mansfield State Reformatory where Shawshank Redemption was filmed.
Erik Aratari Inkcarceration
