WMSE 40th anniversary : The DJs

Community powered and member supported. Every major city has one, a local radio station staffed by a rag tag group of dedicated to the art and craft of audio concierge for the most discerning listener. In Milwaukee, that 91.7 WMSE. 2021 marks the 40th Anniversary for the station, and I was lucky enough to assist in providing a few image assets to aid in the celebration.

The series of images I was asked to create were foremost to enhance their merchandise store. As a truly community powered station, the majority of the people involve are volunteers but most notably the DJs. So, I wanted to include them in this project. Creating portraits of them behind the desk sporting some of the wares but also just of them in their environment.

Photographing Dj’s in the booth is tricky business. Timing is tight, because you’ve got to catches them at the shift change and you’ve gotta be quick because nothing ruins a broadcast like too many commercials… or worse, dead air. So I really only had about 5 min with each of these gents. Took a pause for station events, but excited to get back soon and document the rest of the crew asap.