Last Fall I reconnected with an old friend. Jason Spahn was my roommate in college and a fellow guitarist. I knew that he had an interest in photography and that it was much more than a side hobby in his life. In fact, if I remember correctly, he loved visual arts in general as well as film and food. Somehow these things seem to belong together in my mind: a fine wine, a good meal, a moody subtitled film, 1930s photos of Paris and Jason Spahn. I am glad to see that he is now pursuing this passion more avidly.
Jason’s approach is very in line with his character: to express the inner world of his subject through his photography. He wants to capture an artist working and alive in the very process of creation. This is not at all to say that he cannot conjure great photos from formal poses or that he never encourages a model into a particular position. Rather it is to say that his work tends toward the natural and honest and seeks truth above facade. Of course, looking over Jason’s work it is clear to see that what emerges possesses inherent beauty.
My session with Jason fully reflected his aesthetic values. We found suitably attractive settings at The Putney School and he simply asked me to play my instrument. I found this relieving. After all, I am a guitarist, not a model. Usually the moment I am conscious that the purpose of my sitting is to have a photo taken, my face immediately tenses and everything is very uncomfortable. But playing my instrument, I can do. I would love to work more with Jason and hope that this first session is a prelude to another. I think his work would flourish in a live setting and I hope to get him to a concert to shoot everything from the pre-concert preparations and the concert itself right on through the post-concert celebrations. Fine wine and tasty meal included.
The photos here represent some of my favorites from our session. We explored the spaces at The Putney School together, looking for interesting backdrops and lighting. The latter was really his area but overall it felt very collaborative. Some of the best photos came from a space that I completely forgot existed in the Currier Center. You’ll notice that I particularly like these shots as they dominate my website. The translucent yellow at the time of day we worked allowed for the geometry of the stairs to shine through. I think it creates a compelling sense of movement and the reflections add a sense of depth to many of the images which have a fantastic dynamic.
Check out more of Jason’s work: JasonSpahnPhotography