"Nowadays everyone is taking photos at shows with their cell phones. This makes me hopeful and fearful."

Justin Thor Simenson: Capture the Memories 

Justin Thor Simenson (aka iminphotos) is a roaming photographer living in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He finds inspiration in the works of past New Mexico artists, the rich New Mexico culture, and the beautiful landscapes. Justin adds his own voice and vision to the photographs he makes but also tips his hat to the past. Award-winning Justin, has a interesting series of Documentary style photographic slide shows with audio interviews. 

     Selfportrait by © Justin Thor Simenson

Justin says: "I have no official photography schooling but I have spent over six years behind various cameras which has given me knowledge that allows me to make quick decisions with my camera."

Justin talks about his dad, Cedric Burnside, Dwayne Dopsie, north Mississippi hill country blues, the poetry and musical tribute to cowboy poet Kell Robertson and Led Zeppelin.

Interview by Michael Limnios 

When was your first desire to become involved in the photography?

I guess it would go back to when I was a teenager. I took a cheap film camera with me on a vacation. Months later when I got the film back I looked at the photos and they took me right back to the places and times they were taken. It was a vivid feeling of the memories. About 10 years after that I used my grandpa’s camera to document my grandparents 50th wedding anniversary. That feeling came back when I got the film back from their anniversary and ever since I have been exploring photography.

What does “Image” offered you? What do you learn about yourself from the photography and music?

Photography is my creative outlet in life. So as I move deeper into photography I find different processes that give me new ways to express my thoughts and my view of whats around me. The connection of photography to music is a simple one for me. My dad was a harmonica player and he passed his love of music to me. When I started to listen to the blues I found a personal connection with the songs.

Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers, photo by © Justin Thor Simenson

What characterize your work & progress, how do you describe your philosophy about the IMAGE?

Above all else, a photograph is a memory for me. When I am able to capture the emotion of a musician’s performance, people that see that photograph are able to feel what it was like to have been there. When I go to see a band perform I am looking for the photograph that will convey that. I usually show up early and watch the band setup and the crowd come into the venue. It helps me start to think about what the show will be like. Once the show starts I just go with what happens and react to the situation.

What experiences in your life have triggered your ideas most frequently?

That would have to be when my dad passed away when I was 18. I think about him a lot at shows because of his love for music. His memory also pushes me to work harder and think of new things that can better my work because he was such a hard worker.

From whom have you have learned the most secrets about the image and music?

I have only taken one workshop on photography, the rest of what I have learned I taught myself . I did that by reading books, finding tutorials online, and from going out and using my camera. I take time and look a lot of photographs too; I try to find what “makes” the photograph. Douglas Kent Hall is one photographer that I draw a lot of inspiration from. His photographs, especially of musicians during the 70’s, are some of the best. I don’t go out and mimic his shots, but in looking through his work I find angles, lighting, etc. that I can look for when I am shooting.

What are some of the most memorable shoots you've had?

Being able to photograph the Cedric Burnside Project at Thirst Ear Festival 2011 is definitely at the top of my list. I am a huge fan of blues from north Mississippi hill country and to see the grandsons (Cedric and Cody Burnside) of the legend R.L. Burnside was great. The show they put on was fantastic, the energy of the band and the crowd were both pretty high. The photos I got of Cedric playing drums are still some of my favorite I have ever taken. Cedric also gave me his mailing address and I sent him a book of the photographs, which he enjoyed and that means a lot to me. 

Cedric Burnside, photo by © Justin Thor Simenson

How important was music in your life? How does music affect your mood and inspiration?

I think on some level every music photographer wishes they could be in a band (if they aren’t already), I know I do. My love for music came from my parents, my father was a harmonica player and I was in the school band for many years. I played the clarinet, bass clarinet, and the bass drum but I just never was able to really learn the instrument. With photography I can make something to go with the music and in my own way contribute to the music.
I have music playing almost all of the time too. I listen to a lot of genres, but north Mississippi hill country blues is my current favorite. Junior Kimbrough and R.L. Burnside are always welcome on my playlist.

What is the relationship between music and image? How does the music come out of your lens?

Like I said earlier, a photograph is a memory to me. So with when I am photographing a show I try to match my style to the mood and feel of the band and the crowd. I shoot film, digital, flash, no flash, color, black and white, whatever it takes to convey the feeling, the emotion of the performance. Each show is different too, that is something I love about music photography. One artist can do a show that feels big, happy, and carefree and then another that feels small, sensual, and intimate. Each of those require a different style of photography.

Kendall McCook at the tribute to Kell Robertson, photo by © Justin Thor Simenson

Are there any memories from the poetry & musical tribute to Kell Robertson which you’d like to share with us?

A friend of mine was putting together the tribute and he asked if I would photograph it. I never meet Kell Robertson or even heard of him but after the first hour I felt like he was a long lost uncle. The people that performed and the stories they told brought his life into the room.

The first night was at the Mine Shaft Tavern in Madrid, New Mexico. The place feels like a dusty old saloon out of a western. The crowd, as well as the musicians and poets, was mostly close friends and family. Everyone was telling stories about him between songs and you could feel that their hearts were heavy. Them getting together and singing his songs was a release. The photographs from that show have a lot of blur because of the lens I was using. It is a Lensbaby 2.0, essentially it is two pieces of glass connected by a tube. There is a small area of focus and you are able to bend the lens and move that focal point. I felt it conveyed the sadness and blurred memories being shared.

The second night was at Low Spirits in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This place is totally different, it is a new bar in the city. Although some of the musicians and crowd were the same, this night felt more light hearted and upbeat. There was a good mix of music this night too, Keith Sanchez and Glenn Benavidez played some spanish style rock and there was even some Irish ditties sung by Iscuma.

Telling me your most vivid memory from your shootings in gigs and festivals?

Every time that the shutter clicks and I know it is “the shot” is a vivid memory but my most vivid memory was when I was allowed to stand on the bar to get my shot. It was when I was photographing Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers at Thirsty Ear Festival in 2011. They were in this little bar that didnt have a stage, just a corner of the room and everyone was dancing. I wanted to get a photo of all that and the only place to get it was from up high. I was gonna stand on a bar stool and the bartender told me just to get on the bar because it was safer. The manager didnt agree, but I had the shot so I got down.

Cedric & Cody Burnside at Thirsty Ear Festival, photo by © Justin Thor Simenson

Are there any memories from Thirsty Ear Festival 2011, which you’d like to share with us?

I have to go back to Cedric Burnside at Thirsty Ear Festival in 2011. I met him before his show and we talked for a bit, he is a down to earth nice guy. But the thing I remember best is when he brought me over to his van to give me his address. I captured a photo of that, Cedric in his tour van writing his address down for me. Even though it is a photograph of him playing his guitar or drums, it is shows his life as a touring musician.

Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers put on a great show as well. They were playing in a little bar and had just about everyone dancing. Dwayne fed off of that energy and put on one hell of a performance with his accordion.

How would you describe your contact to people, when you are “on the project”?

I am a very personable and I get along with most people I meet. The bands are usually happy to have a photographer at their show so I am not shy about going up and talking to them before or after their set. As for the crowd, I try to just be part of the crowd before I pull out my camera. I am starting to take more photos of the crowd, because I feel they are a definite part of the show.

Which memory during of your shooting makes you smile?

I have had the pleasure of photographing the singer/songwriter Laura Meyer two times and both times were great. She is such a positive and powerful person. The presence she has on stage will set you back in your chair.  After one of her shows she sat around and talked with me, my wife, and a few of our friends. That portrait that I made of her smiling makes me smile every time I see it.

Laura Meyer, Photo by © Justin Thor Simenson

What is the strangest desire that someone have request in the shooting?

I get weird request from the crowd. There was one time where someone was dressed up at a show and someone asked me to go “sneak a photo of them by the bathroom”. It was a pretty weird request but I played it off and went back to shooting the band. 

What are your hopes and fears for the future of art and music?

Nowadays everyone is taking photos at shows with their cell phones. This makes me hopeful and fearful. Hopeful because those photos help spread what that artist is doing and hopefully helping them further their fan base. It makes me fearful because I dont want people to just see the concert through their cell phones. It is good to put it all away and enjoy what the musician is doing.

What has made you laugh lately and what touched (emotionally) you?

I recently reunited with an old friend. He is a musician and it was great to see him still doing his thing. He is a really funny guy and is always telling a joke or doing something to make you laugh.

Who are your favorite musicians, both old and new, would you like to meet and shoots?

Well, I’ve mentioned my fondness for north Mississippi hill country blues, but I am also a big fan of the 70’s rock scene; Led Zeppelin, The Doors, Big Brother and the Holding Company, Grateful Dead, etc. I also like more modern rock bands like The Black Keys, My Morning Jacket, and Primus. Also some modern bluegrass folks like Seasick Steve and Possessed by Paul James.

If I could, I would love to get an all access pass and photograph Les Claypool (bassist from Primus). I would also love to spend a little time in the north Mississippi hill country and photograph some of the next generation blues legend that will come out of there.

Mike Good at A poetry and musical tribute to Kell Robertson. A cowboy poet was remembered and celebrated by his friends in Madrid at The Mine Shaft Tavern and Albuquerque at Low Spirits 2012. Photo by © Justin Thor Simenson

Let’s take a trip (!) with a time machine, so where and why would you really wanna go for a whole day..?

It would have to be for two days at two places; June 25, 1972 at the L.A. Forum and June 27, 1972 at Long Beach Arena to photograph Led Zeppelin during their How The West Was Won tour. I really love the early bluesy Led Zeppelin and these two days they were hitting on all cylinders. Luckily we do have video footage of the concert, but I imagine that being there live and on stage photographing them would be beyond epic.

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