The Human Connection – Photographing Musicians at work and Strangers on the Street

I recently had a very interesting chat with Jeromie Stephens, a talented photographer who’s been documenting the world of bluegrass for many years. If you love the candid, authentic moments in music or on the streets you need to check out the work of our guest Jeromie Stephens.

In today’s episode Jeromie and I dig into everything from street photography to the art of catching those spontaneous, off-stage moments that capture a musician’s spirit. Jeromie
started off wanting to be a photojournalist, but through his love of music and being inspired by the legendary Jim Marshall, and ended up immersing himself in the world of bluegrass. This shift took him on adventures to festivals and even led him to photograph the 52nd annual Takarazuka Bluegrass Festival in Japan.

I first met Jeromie several years ago during a photowalk sponsored by our local camera store. Through this experience I was able to see him work first-hand create interesting compositions with his awareness of shapes in candid scenes then approach complete strangers with kindness and a sincere interest in them to make very personal portraits.

One of the things that really stands out about Jeromie’s music work is his preference for capturing the candid, fleeting moments over posed performances. He sees photography as a combination of preparation and spontaneity, much like music itself. This approach allows him to blend into the background, catching the genuine interactions of musicians without disrupting the flow. It’s all about the art of invisibility.

Jeromie has this wonderful habit of sharing prints with musicians, which not only builds goodwill but also strengthens the connections within the bluegrass community. He believes in the power of printed photographs, and how they hold a personal touch that digital images just can’t replicate.

As a testament to his strong relationships with the musicians he photographs, Jeromie received the 2024 Photographer of the Year Award from the International Bluegrass Music Association.

I hope you enjoy the podcast as much as I enjoyed chatting with Jeromie.