Today we’d like to introduce you to Jae Grey.
Hi Jae, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I think my love for photography can be chalked up to two things; 1. my mom and her Pentax K1000 that she photographed my entire childhood with and 2. Pokemon Snap for the N64. I learned how to frame a shot from Professor Oak himself. After repossessing my dad’s Sony Cybershot and claiming it for my own as a teen, I started taking it to local concerts at the Sherman VFW and the Gainesville State Theater. It was in those venues that my passion began. Bands that are now selling out entire tours came through these small venues in their infancy and it’s amazing to see them finally getting the respect and notoriety they deserve. After a year of photographing my friends bands, I got a camera upgrade and the chance to shoot the creme de la creme – the Vans Warped Tour (2008). Over the years, I got to photograph the Dallas date for many years of Warped Tour and they are, I think for all of us who ever attended, some of my favorite memories. Nobody can do it quite like Kevin Lyman and the crews & bands of WT every brutal summer. Now I’m 18 years in and still as passionate and excited about every show I shoot as my first year. THAT’S how I know I’m doing exactly what I should be doing.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Of course there have been struggles! From crooked promoters, wrecking the van on tour (it wasn’t me, don’t worry), memory card issues, rained out festivals, nightmares about forgetting my camera, the list goes on and on. Though, I think one of the biggest struggles photographers face, and creatives in general, is the lack of appropriate credit for our work. Bands wouldn’t want their song used on a commercial or in a movie without proper credit so why aren’t you crediting the person responsible for the images you’re happily plastering everywhere? Let’s TRULY help each other out! (Leaving credit in a comment to be buried & unseen doesn’t count either!)
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a music photographer! I photograph all things to do with bands; concerts, promo material, studio sessions, video work, and everything in-between! I’ve been working with local, national and international bands of all genres for 18 years in local venues, at festivals and internationally as well. I think what sets me apart is my somewhat cinematic style. I want the viewer to feel as though you were right there at the show with me.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I love recommending House of Leaves to anyone who asks. I’m currently reading Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson and had my jaw on the floor all through I’m Glad My Mom Died by Janette McCurdy. My childhood favorite was always A Wrinkle In Time (don’t bother with the movie adaptation though – per usual!)
Contact Info:
- Instagram: instagram.com/heyitsjaegrey
Image Credits
All photos by Jae Grey
