Banner Photo by Allie Volpe
Music photographer CJ Harvey is one of a small but mighty group of film photographers taking the music industry by storm. Still early in her career, she has collaborated with the likes of Twin Peaks, Hinds, Daddy Issues, Post Animal, and many others. While on tour with Ron Gallo and the Black Angels, CJ stopped by the KXSU lounge before their show at the Showbox on October 23, 2017.
Zoey Knox: Does being around different bands and your relationship with them affect the way you photograph them?
CJ Harvey: Definitely. I have gotten a lot pickier, I would say in the last year, with who I tour with and who I am working closely with, which is definitely a luxury that not a lot of people have and I definitely didn’t have when I first started off. But because I’m just working with my closest friends now, touring is not that stressful anymore. They are super supportive of me, and they want me to be there, and they want me to be taking pictures. They are my biggest fans and I’m their biggest fans. It is a very healthy relationship where they like what I make and so they’re just happy that I am showing interest in them. It’s a great working relationship. When I first started off I would kind of be like, I don’t know if they want me to take pictures in the greenroom, or I don’t know if I’m allowed to be side stage. And now I’ll just be in everyone’s faces and really be annoying about it and know that they don’t care at all.
ZK: It’s a lot more comfortable.
CJ: Yeah, it’s like I’ll stand right behind the drums and shoot with the flash in their face, and they definitely don’t care at all, which it awesome. And it makes it easier to take cool photos because it’s not like you’re hiding from the farthest away point in the venue.
Amber Grimbergen (Hinds)
Photo by CJ Harvey
ZK: Do you have a project that are you most proud of?
CJ: Hmm. I really like making zines. I made one from my tour that I did back in April, with Hinds and Twin Peaks.
ZK: Yeah, I have that.
CJ: Oh cool! Hell yeah. But I don’t know, I feel like every zine I make is my new favorite thing, just because my style is constantly changing and I am constantly working with new people. You finish a tour and you get back that batch of film and you’re like, “Wow! New photos that are different because I haven’t worked with this band before, or been to these places before”. It’s such an exciting thing to get to turn that into something physical that you can share with people and that people are actually excited to see and look through. It was cool to be able to do that [Hinds/Twin Peaks zine] because so many people were enthusiastic about it.
Ron Gallo, California
Photo by CJ Harvey
ZK: Do you have a favorite and least favorite part of shooting film?
CJ: Favorite part is probably how much attention you end up spending on the details of actually taking a picture. And everyone involved pays more attention and kind of cares more. You have a film camera, and you’re like, alright I can take 36 pictures maximum on this roll. And if you have a Polaroid or something, there are literally 8. All the bands that I work with know that I love shooting film, and as soon as they see me pull out one of the film cameras they are like, “Oh sh*t, what do you want us to do”? They are much more involved with the actual process of being photographed instead of letting me be a fly on the wall. Least favorite is how expensive it is. I wish that I could shoot a million rolls of film, but usually I shoot about 10 rolls a tour and try to cap it at that.
ZK: Do you prefer taking photos during shows or behind-the-scenes photos?
CJ: Good question. I love shooting live shows, and that is why I do it, but I think probably everything besides that would be my favorite. Because it’s everything fans of bands don’t get to see, and that’s what I was most interested in when I first kind of started taking this seriously. I feel like I am the middleman between the crowd and the band, and it is whatever I decide to take a picture of that gets shared. I get to be there for the early morning van rides when the lighting is really pretty and everyone’s asleep, or we are at a hotel and no one is paying attention to what it looks like, but I’m like, this is so cool.
ZK: That’s interesting. You get to control what people see behind the scenes.
CJ: It’s a weird kind of power that I have. I had no idea that people had this job. It’s kind of a learn as you go thing, and I understood that I had that role. It’s cool for the band to trust you to take those pictures in the first place, and also for people to get to see them and appreciate them because no one else is going to take that picture.
Keep It Together, Zine, ft. Hinds & Twin Peaks
Photo by CJ Harvey
ZK: Who are some artists that you are really inspired by?
CJ: Hollie Fernando. She is a phenomenal photographer from London, and she shoots a lot of film. She does a combo of band stuff and more model-y things. She is just so good, it’s insane how good she is. When I was still in college I reached out to her, and I was like, “Maybe I could intern with you”, and she’s like, not much older than I am, one man operation, doing it on her own. Just happens to be amazing.
Then, I really like Rhyan Santos. He lives in LA, and tour manages Cherry Glazerr and LA Witch and some of those other LA bands. He always has a little point-and-shoot around his neck. It’s such an interesting glimpse into these bands that he’s working with.
There’s this guy Anthony Pham, who was out documenting Bleachers. Just recently our tours crossed paths in Texas, and he’s really good and shoots a lot of film. I just like people who shoot a lot of film. It’s the young people shooting film. It takes so much more effort and time and dedication. Oh, and Caitlin McCann. She’s perfect.
Carlotta Cosials (Hinds)
Photo by CJ Harvey
ZK: You are vocal on social media about making the music industry a more safe and inclusive space for non-male identifying folks. In your opinion, what are the first steps in making events in the music industry safer spaces?
CJ: I am always kind of thinking about this, and always concerned about it, these past couple weeks in particular. I think some of the things that I have been talking about a lot are especially if you are in a situation of privilege, if you are in any band at all, just be so vocal about what you believe in. As soon as people are comfortable talking about [making concerts safe spaces], it’s going to be better. Have a person who is the designated person that people can talk to, that you know that you can trust. I think that awareness is the most important thing at this point.
ZK: What are you most grateful for about your job?
CJ: So many things! I just feel like the luckiest person literally every day. Even the sh*ttiest day on tour is still so much better than would I would have been doing if I were just at home. I am just so lucky to get to do this and get to work with bands that I love so much, and call them my friends and get to see what they’re making and have their support. I feel like stuff has started happening really fast for me, I am doing my dream job already.
See more of CJ Harvey’s photography on her Instagram and Official Website.
ZOEY KNOX | Girl who would like to tour | KXSU Community Relations Director