Justin Bieber

I've shot some pretty loud shows in my career; Metallica, Foo Fighters, they were loud. Weezer, Papa Roach, Buckcherry, Avenged Sevenfold, all very loud. KISS was loud. Normally when it's a loud act, and especially if I'm shooting from the pit, I'll get an email from the promoter to bring earplugs. I got that email before the Justin Bieber show, which I thought was odd, I'm not terribly familiar with his music, but what I had heard, I wouldn't considered LOUD. When I got into position that night I realized that the promoter wasn't warning me about the sound that would be coming from the huge speakers in front of me, but it would be coming from the throngs of adolescent girls screaming behind me. And since this was a sold-out show, the intensity and decibel level of the shrieks and screams was ear-splitting. I could have used double plugs that night.

And P.S. the first image has been selected as 1 of 8 finalists in the Crowd category in this year's PDN Ultimate Music Moment contest. Winners will be announced early Dec. Fingers crossed!!

Some favorite moments from 2008

Early publicity photo for the movie Twilight.

President-elect Barack Obama during an interview on the campaign trail in Albany, Ore.

Clayton Foltyn takes a tumble off "White Magic" in the Championship Round at the Portland Invitational Professional Bull Riders event at Rose Garden arena.

The ring doctor checks a cut on the head of Mark Miller during his bout agianst Mike Pierce at Sportfight XXIV at Rose Garden Arena in Portland. The fight was eventually stopped and Pierce was awarded the win by TKO.

Backstage at Phantom of the Opera at Keller Auditorium in Portland, Ore.

Bruce Springsteen and The E-Street Band playing to a near sold out crowd at Rose Garden arena in Portland, Ore.

Dave Grohl and The Foo Fighters on stage at the Rose Garden in Portland.

A crowd of frenzied Weezer fans packs Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Ore.

James Hetfield and Metallica play in the round to a sold-out crowd of hungry metal fans at Rose Garden arena in Portland, Ore.

Nikki Sixx and Vince Neil playing with Motley Crue at the Rose Garden in Portland.

Katie Ryan - Professional Kid.

Chris, Katie, and Anna wish you an abundance of joy and prosperity in 2009! Thanks to everyone for everything that helped us to make 2008 a fantastic year.