In the Studio with Concert Photographer Andy Jones
Today, we’re going In the Studio with concert photographer Andy Jones and owner of AgeOwns Photography . He has been photographing concerts , sports and creating beautiful portraits for years. Andy’s concert photos were just on display in the Chesapeake Arts Center’s Rock n Roll Gallery exhibit.
Here’s Andy talking about his background, and passion for photography:
Which band is your favorite to photograph and why? Rob Zombie - every single photo I snap is a keeper, I have a very hard time deciding which photos to put in the final gallery. The over-the-top theatrics combined with the excitement from Zombie and his band make it my favorite experience. Without fail, this is the one pit I can't stand leaving after 3 songs. I'm always hungry for just a few more minutes.
Which photographer(s) influence you as a photographer? Which photographer(s) inspire your work? This is nuts, but someone like Matthew Brady. When I first started shooting and I wanted my work to stand out, I was shooting at f/1.4 to get a "historical portrait" look with a super slim depth of field, like old Civil War portraits. I thought if I took a photo of Snoop Dogg, and it subconsciously reminded you of a portrait of Abraham Lincoln, that it would register in your mind as more important. While Snoop doesn't require any elevation, I wanted to elevate the significance of the performers I was shooting. This was history happening, this is something important. https://flic.kr/p/dgSprT
Is there a specific venue that you enjoy photographing at? I feel most at home at 9:30 Club. The first time I got a pass to a show at 9:30 I felt like I had made it as a legit shooter. I shot my first handful of shows at Richter Theater in Baltimore, and I heard it's opened again. But the lighting, the vibe, the energy is all right at 9:30.
Is there a message you hope your photographs convey? What would you like to say through your photographs? I don't want people to "feel like they were there" I want people to feel like they missed out on something going on in their city. Every time I'm at a concert, I remind myself that this is someone's very first show, tonight will be someone's favorite memory ever. So I want to put forth photos that recognize that tonight is a big deal. And beyond concerts, I shoot everything as if its not routine, but something to take note of.
When did you find your passion for photography? I started with black & white film photography in college, but the developing costs and time involved kept it as a part-time hobby. After I got a decent digital camera I could just keep shooting until I saw improvement. Specifically a safari trip got me hooked on "the hunt" for specific subjects, and that's when I got my first DSLR.
What motivates you to continue taking photographs? I really enjoy the collecting/hunting aspect of getting photos. I want to get a photo I've never gotten before. I'm always looking to get a great photo of a specific bird, or get "the shot" that's better than anything I've done before. Even when shooting something repetitive like kids' sports, I'm trying to get a batch of photos that show (my) improvement over the last time. I love a challenge and photography allows me to keep challenging myself to keep improving.
How would you describe your photography style? Anyone can cook a technically perfect cheeseburger, but people will keep coming back if you've got the best BBQ sauce. I want there to be a little bit of flair or extra flavor to my photos. In an ideal world, years from now, people could recognize my work by that "flavor", but I think I've got a while to go on that.
How do you connect with the subject of a photograph? I want every image I provide to be a photo that the subject would want to show to someone else. I want them to feel good and to say "look how good I look" and share the photos more than I would.
When I'm doing one-on-one portrait work, I am trying to have a casual but intimate moment with the subject. Like two friends hanging out and vibing off each other, and I try to capture that moment. I want the viewer to pick up on that moment, and connect emotionally with the photo. Perhaps being reminded of a friendship they have.
What are some challenges faced with photography? What do you enjoy the most? There are fun challenges, like that pursuit of getting better photos and trying new types of photography. There are challenges with being a photographer such as getting the right gigs, navigating social media platforms, finding a pricing that works. I enjoy getting better at stuff I'm not currently good at. Prior to the pandemic, I didn't have very much experience with tabletop studio "still lifes" but I've found that stay at home activity to be fulfilling.
What advice would you give a photographer that just started their career? Find your mission, or reason for shooting. This can take awhile, but try out everything and see what excites you. Also there's very little money in concert photography. You'll hear a bunch of seasoned photogs say "never work for free" but honestly, if you're waiting for money, you'll be spending a lot of nights at home.
For more information on Andy’s art, check out his website at ageowns.com .