JoJo Too Much To Say Tour, House of Blues
Behind the Lens: JoJo Live in Houston
February 25, 2025 | House of Blues | Photo Blog
There are shows you shoot because it's the job—and then there are shows that remind you why you fell in love with live music photography in the first place. JoJo’s stop in Houston? 100% the latter.
I’ve been a fan of hers for years (honestly, who didn’t have “Leave (Get Out)” on repeat at some point?), but seeing her live for the first time was something else. This wasn’t just nostalgia—it was power, control, emotion… and for me, incredible visuals.
First Impressions
The moment she hit the stage, the room shifted. She opened with “Man,” and right away, the lighting hit that perfect balance: warm tones on her face, deep purples in the back, and a subtle fog that added texture to the air. As a photographer, you live for that. I barely had time to adjust my settings before I was firing off the first shots. No warm-up—she just owned it from the jump.
The Lighting Game? On Point.
Let me just say: huge shoutout to her lighting designer. So many concerts lean too hard into red wash or erratic strobes that blow out the detail—but not this one. The lighting followed the feeling of each song. Soft blues for “Too Little Too Late” (which hit hard, by the way), a golden spotlight during “Small Things” that made the entire room go still.
That track in particular? Probably my favorite moment of the night. Just JoJo on stage, stripped back, raw and vulnerable. The crowd went quiet—not because they weren’t into it, but because they were completely tuned in. I caught a shot of her mid-note, eyes closed, with a single beam of light cutting through the haze. I knew the second I hit the shutter it was the shot of the night.
Crowd Energy = Unreal
I always try to get a few crowd shots during slower songs, just to capture the emotion from their end. And wow—this audience was fully there for every word. Hands over hearts. Tears in some eyes. One girl in the front row literally mouthed every lyric like her life depended on it. I shot a few over-the-shoulder frames that captured the stage from the fans' POV, and I love how it shows JoJo through their lens too.
Special Guest Emmy Meli? Chef’s Kiss.
Mid-set, JoJo brought out Emmy Meli for a surprise duet. They absolutely killed it. Their voices together? Magic. The energy between them felt so natural—laughing, vibing, trading harmonies. I managed to capture this killer shot where they both leaned into the mic at the same time, smiling. Definitely one for the portfolio.
Final Thoughts
This show had it all—tight vocals, a killer setlist, beautifully dynamic lighting, and a crowd that gave just as much as JoJo did. It wasn’t just a concert, it felt like a real exchange of energy, of emotion. And for someone behind the camera, that’s the sweet spot.
Would I shoot her again? In a heartbeat.
Would I go even if I didn’t have a camera? Honestly… yeah.
Until the next show,
