The 2015 Supernatural convention circuit kicked off in January in beautiful San Francisco, California.
I’d never been to San Francisco, so as well as getting to do the convention I was excited to explore a bit for a couple of days after the convention.
Alcatraz, San Francisco
Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco
Giraffe, San Francisco Zoo
The conventions started out with a bang – this is what I’ll call The Big Convention Year, celebrating 10 years of Supernatural, and I think the stakes have been raised to reflect that. Creation Entertainment have invested in a huge new sound and lighting system, and the guys themselves have all been involved in shaping different aspects of the convention itself. This year, the Cabaret is being billed as the Louden Swain Saturday Night Special, which is wonderful since it encapsulates just how important Louden Swain have become to the whole convention. It really would not be the same without them, or without Richard Speight Jr running the show as the Host (or Captain of the Ship, if you prefer).
My friend I was attending the convention with hadn’t seen a Creation event for over a year, so I was excited for her to see how much of a huge production it’s become.
Host Richard Speight Jr kicks off SFCon 2015
Felicia Day, Friday SFCon 2015
Osric Chau, Friday SFCon 2015
Matt and Richard’s karaoke party theme for 2015 is “Cult Classics”, which sounded difficult at first, but is actually quite a broad well to draw from! Loads of attendees dressed up for the karaoke, which is a good sign for the rest of the year!
Photography by Christopher Schmelke
Sebastian Roche, Karaoke SFCon 2015
Richard Speight Jr, Karaoke SFCon 2015
Gil McKinney and Rob Benedict, Karaoke SFCon 2015
My last blog post was about how the different parts of the cons have very different feels and so I sort of approach shooting them differently. However, as I was editing my photos for SFCon, I noticed that this particular convention kind of tore up that rule book. The karaoke and the “cabaret” were the same, however the panels also had this very moody, high key lighting. It was most noticeable when the guests would walk to either side of the stage, they would be thrown into this high-key side-lighting that gave everything a very dramatic feel.
(l-r) Rob Benedict, Stephen Norton, Misha Collins, Mark Sheppard and Mike Borja, SFCon 2015
Mark Sheppard, SFCon 2015
Jensen Ackles, SFCon 2015
The Louden Swain Saturday Night Special / Cabaret is still the highlight of the convention for me. It’s difficult to describe exactly what it’s like unless you’re there to experience it, and I urge anyone who is thinking of going to the SPN cons this year to go to the Saturday concert. The guys put their heart and soul into the whole weekend, but Saturday night just feels a little bit more special, like the emotion is just that much higher.
Osric Chau, Louden Swain Saturday Night Special SFCon 2015
Christopher Schmelke, Louden Swain Saturday Night Special, SFCon 2015
Rob Benedict and Mark Sheppard, Louden Swain Saturday Night Special, SFCon 2015
Mike Borja and Billy Moran, Louden Swain Saturday Night Special, SFCon 2015
Stephen Norton, Louden Swain Saturday Night Special, SFCon2015
Gil McKinney, Louden Swain Saturday Night Special, SFCon 2015
Matt Cohen, Louden Swain Saturday Night Special, SFCon 2015
Rob Benedict, Louden Swain Saturday Night Special, SFCon 2015
The fact that this incredible band, that plays tirelessly all weekend as the houseband, is still able to put on a concert for us in the middle of it all is amazing to me and I cannot express enough how much I love it. If you’re a fan of these guys, and a fan of good music, please go and see this!
The panels were the usual heady mix of earnestness and hilarity, and it seems as though every time there is a convention there are more and more new (and younger!) people attending. I don’t think I’ll ever get over how adorable it is to hear someone get overcome when it’s their turn to ask a question at the microphone during a panel. I don’t blame them – I wouldn’t get up to ask a question, and look how many I’ve been to!
If SFCon 2015 was a sign of things to come for the rest of the convention year, we are all incredibly lucky! Here’s to 2015!
Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki, SFCon 2015
Misha Collins, SFCon 2015
Stardust & Melancholy 
As always, I’m stunned by your photographs. They are truly amazing and make me want to go to a con ASAP. Have to wait a little less than a month but I know it’ll be epic.
Thank you for sharing these incredible pieces of your life!
The pics are wonderful, Meg, and I love your writing, too!!