Photography Season

Gregory Alan Isakov, and his band. Boulder, Colorado.

This autumn I’ve been privileged and privy of many established and burgeoning musicians in the Denver area. I’ve been able to photograph them with nearly no hassle, and within any format or style I suggest. Each of these experiences has been a lot of fun and very satisfying.

In our day to day business conversations, I often hear my partner, Sean speak a maxim he has coined – and has been hard earned in our experience.

“There are two kinds of musicians.” He sometimes quips. “The ones who allow anyone access, but have no focus or dependability nor money.” And the other ones, he says, “Who have made it by some measure, (usually because they have focus and money) but who then have layers and layers of insulation that shuts off all access due to handlers, agents, mangers, and stylists.”

We’ve seen each. And we’ve seen some migrate from the first category to the second. And sometimes in the other direction, too. Fortunately for me, I personally gravitate to the music and aesthetics of smaller accessible bands, who by Sean’s measure, typically exists in the “accessible/no professionalism” category – or transitioning into the “professional/no access” mode. This bodes generally well for me as a photographer, and recently I’ve had the chance to photograph very friendly and appreciative – very accessible and professional musicians.

I think Sean’s perspective is true, and there will always be trade-offs for commercial success of the artists, and for those who want to be involved with them. I also see, in my perspective, the long tail in affect with music. Everyone knows the music industry is changing. So is all aspects of how our culture communicates and expresses itself. If you are reading this, then my point is taken. What this means, at least in my experience, is the ability to find, hear, appreciate, and then contribute to the bands that motivate and excite me is also changing. I am able to find real bands, who are dedicated and determined. Who show up the photo shoot on time. Who happily follow my costume and art direction. And who respect my craft and see is similar ways and means to their own.

The bands I’ve been photographing may continue to rise into Sean’s second category, and my ability to photograph them may be suffocated. I’ll be happy for them if they do, because it will mean financial success – or at least some financial security for them that comes with wider appeal. But I sense that goals and intentions are changing for many bands. These changes reflect the music industry as a whole. I sense that many bands will want the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow – the critical acclaim, the national exposure, the press, and the artistic and financial recognition that comes with it. But I sense – I hope that the consequences that that success requires will be less – or at least different. There is no need to have a top 40 album. There is no need to be on MTV. There is no need to win a Grammy. And there is no need any more for so many layers of personnel that separates musicians from their fans and the world.The definition of success is changing – for musicians, and for me as photographer too. I suspect the two are related, as you likely do too.

As bands grow in their careers, the standards of record labels and management will be less. (If for no other reason, that there is less money in the mix to pay for these layers of insulation.) I hope it will mean continued opportunities for me, and allow for a more free future for all of us.

Posted by Todd Roeth on November 3rd, 2008