Meet Jeff Crespi, Music Photographer

Chances are if you've been to a concert at The Stone Pony, Starland Ballroom or just about any venue where live music is rocking, you've noticed a man with a camera front and center capturing shots of your favorite band or artist. That man is Jeff Crespi, who in my humble opinion, has become as well known in the Jersey music scene as the musicians themselves. Jeff, an award-winning photographer, is known for capturing the raw energy and emotion of live performance. With an eye for both iconic moments and intimate details, Jeff’s work tells the story of artists on and off the stage, preserving the spirit of live music through powerful imagery.

Visit his website here: JEFF CRESPI ROCKS

But who is Jeff? The Flying Garter sat down with our favorite music photographer to learn more about Jeff and his art....

You started photographing shows after taking your son to his first concert — how did that moment plant the seed for your long career in music photography?

When I started taking my son to concerts, photography was not in any way shape or form something I thought about. It was only to create a father son bond through music. Concerts were not a thing back in my day but listening to music always was. For some reason, as an adult later in life, the live show appealed to me in a much different way. I found myself very interested in how everything works behind the scenes as well as watching the performance. Getting to a show hours before the doors open, talking to other concert goers on line became part of our experience. We were learning about all types of bands and different styles of music. Once inside it was usually an hour before the music started so I would take that time to watch everything going on as they prepared the stage for the opening band. Taking photos for me personally was only about documenting our journey. Having some memories to look back on was all I was trying to do. Of course, doing that ended up leading to everything I do now.

I believe I capture the energy of a show because I feel the energy of the show. I say this all the time, everything I do is a result of passion and feel. I do come from an artistic childhood so I think that helps me in understanding what I'm looking at. Everyone always tells me I have a good eye for what I do. I feed off the energy a band or artist creates so the more energy on the stage the more energy I feel which makes me want to photograph more than a band that lacks energy.

How do you capture the energy of a live performance?

Concert photography is like no other. There are so many moving parts as compared to say portrait or landscape photography. Every place I photograph has a different atmosphere, different locations I photograph from and different lighting themes. So, when you combine, atmosphere, band moving around and changes in lighting every few seconds there is no constant. You can't just set your camera up and leave it. I love that about concert photography; there are no real rules. But I will say as a professional photographer I believe there is a huge difference between a photographer and a content creator. I take pride in what I produce with experience and skill. There are a lot of things I look at when photographing a show, like timing the band's movements with lighting patterns for example. Understanding framing of a photo as well as learning what certain members of the band do on stage. 

Do you have a favorite camera or lens setup for shooting live bands, and why?

My camera and lens choices vary based on where and who I'm photographing. The bigger venues I prefer my longer zoom lens (70-200) it allows me to photograph from anywhere in the venue and get zoomed in shots or far away photos without any hassle. Years ago I always strapped multiple cameras on my body but I've learned to make things simpler in my old age. In smaller rooms where I'm right in front of the bands, I usually use a smaller prime lens, usually a 50mm or my 28mm pancake lens. The camera I use doesn't really change as it's the lenses to create most of the difference between shots. 

You’re deeply embedded in the NJ scene — how do relationships with bands and venues influence your work? 

My relationships with venues and bands go back 20 years now, so yes it definitely relates to where I go and how my access is arranged. I think that's one of the mistakes a lot of newer photographers make. They photograph a few shows and want access to bigger shows with no real understanding of the industry. I spent right years photographing local music around the entire state of New Jersey as well as New York before I even thought about anything else. I also do all of that out of my own pocket, I invested well over $20,000 in going to shows with my son over those years. Season passes, merch, food, travel, etc. was all on my dime. I never ever asked a local band to allow me to come to a show without offering to buy a ticket. Yes, that all changed when I started photographing professionally but that all happened genetically. Even today I still pay for smaller shows because I know how the industry works. I also have a great relationship with all the local promoters, some of them even pay me for certain shows. 

I'm not usually that guy that looks for backstage access. There really isn't anything exciting going on today like in the old days. So other saying hi to bands I know it's not anything I ask for. My son and I got to hang out many times back in the day with bands we had a good relationship with. Most of my behind the scenes access is when I'm photographing the making of videos that bands hire my for. That is one of my favorite things to do. 

How do you think your images help tell a band’s story beyond a moment on stage?

I think my photos are more for documentation and memories for years down the line. The story behind the photos I believe comes from everyone else's perception of those photos. My interpretation can be very different than someone else.

I think when I photographed Willie Nelson I was taken back by his eyes as I looked through my camera. It gave me the thought of what are these musicians really thinking about when they are up there. Are they really enjoying being on that stage performing or is it just because they have too. Usually, you can tell but not always if someone is genially having fun up there. 

How has concert photography changed since you started, especially with social media?

Concert photography has changed greatly since I started and not for the better in my opinion. Most concert photographers do not make money anymore. It's become one of the most oversaturated industries there is. Once a trend is established, it does not go back to the way it was before. Once being able to create our own website for very little of free it established the whole online publication trend. When that happened it allowed newer, mostly younger photographers to reach out to pr companies, management companies and bands directly to not only photograph but now review the show for free. Some of these publications had really good intentions but most were created so they could get into shows for free and see their favorite bands. Every part of the industry changed how they operate behind the scenes as a result with very little money being offered for services that used to always be paid opportunities. 

Any advice for new photographers coming into the Jersey music scene?

I have newer photographers reach out to me all the time, mostly to ask how they could get a photo pass to bigger named artist with no real portfolio or experience. I always act professional and take the time to tell my story. Especially that I spent eight years doing it to build a relationship with the scene. Yes, I know the industry has changed but I will not give a way what took me 20 years to earn. My advice is build good relationships with local bands in the hope that they make it to that next level and take you along for the ride. If your just doing it for fun be careful not to devalue the industry because it hurts the people that put a lot of time effort and money into it. If your doing it for fun there are tons of cheap or free local shows you can go to support those bands.       

How do you hope your work impacts the local music scene and the careers of the bands you photograph?

I would like to think that what I have done over the last 20 years has had a positive impact on the music scene as a whole. Pretty much every show I'm at people come up to me to say thanks for everything I do. A lot of the time I'm not sure who they are which to me is the ultimate complement because that shows me that people are seeing what I do from all over the area.

In terms of careers of bands, I think it's the band's way of doing things that gets them further along. My photos are a documentation of the journey that a band has been on since they started. There are a lot of bands I have been photographing since the start. Most of the local bands from 20 years ago are no longer. The musicians themselves are mostly still out there working on newer projects with other musicians.

Do you have a dream band or event you haven’t shot yet but would love to photograph?

I really don't have a bucket list; everyone who knows me knows I'm not concerned with popularity. I don't chase the higher market bands because my purpose in all of this is to be a supportive member of the local community. My photography is a way for me to do something I love but also be part of something more valuable which is my love of people. The people at the shows are just as important to me as the bands are. The only band on the higher level that I wanted to photograph was Kiss since that was the first concert I ever took my son to. I got to photograph Kiss a few years ago at Madison Square Garden. I seem to enjoy a really good local show more than anything else. 

Thank you so much to Jeff Crespi for doing this interview.

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