James Giffen Photography reception

Good music, stunning photos and fantastic ambience.

It should be a great evening.

Art Downtown, the Hanover Area Arts Guild’s gallery, will host a reception June 18 as part of James Giffen’s photography exhibit. Featured will be two regional bands, which Giffen has photographed — Lavacave of Lancaster and the Moonlight Mutts of Harrisburg.

The reception, 5-8:30 p.m., is at 32 Carlisle St., Hanover, in historic Hanover, where Giffen’s photos will go on display May 31. Art at the gallery is for sale, but the exhibition is always free and open to the public.

Giffen of McSherrystown, said his love affair with photography began when he dropped a class in high school. He thought he’d take a photography class and get an easy A.

Today, he works in Lancaster as a photographer and photo retoucher. He also is growing a business in the region.

His photos cover a wide range of subjects — landscapes, abstractions (including “Frozen Metamorphis Series”) and musicians. Music is an important part of his life and he loves taking pictures of fellow musicians, he said.

The June 18 concert, in Art Downtown’s courtyard, is a way to integrate his two passions. Lavacave will play from 6-7 p.m. The Moonlight Mutts will perform from 7:30-8:30 p.m. In the event of rain, the show will move next door to Whirled Records’ performance space.