Today we’d like to introduce you to BJ Papas.
Thanks for sharing your story with us BJ. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I grew up in Woodstock, NY with a passion for three things – music, skateboarding and photography. I took photo classes in high school where I discovered that, not only did I love shooting, I also really enjoyed processing film and making prints in the darkroom.
In 1984 I moved to NYC to attend FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) but soon realized that fashion photography was not for me. While attending school during the day, I spent my evenings going to shows at clubs like CBGBs and the Rock Hotel. I loved what was happening in the New York music scene at the time. It was still a small, tight-knit group of musicians and fans who supported each other and lived for the music and all that it represented.
I started shooting at shows just for myself. It was way before the age of digital and cell phone cameras so there weren’t too many people willing to take their professional equipment into the midst of the chaotic punk/hardcore scene. I can’t tell you how many times my camera got knocked to the ground, stomped on, etc., or how much money I spent on repairs, but I persevered. I shot bands like Agnostic Front, the Bad Brains and Sick of It All, and became good friends with members of these bands and others.
In the beginning, I gave photos away to bands who were always very appreciative. This led to my getting hired to do album covers and having pictures included in fanzines and, eventually, magazines like Spin, Guitar World and Rolling Stone.
The connections I made through the punk/hardcore scene helped me to establish myself as a rock photographer. Since my early days shooting for fun, I have gone on to doing studio and live shoots for bands such as Aerosmith, Johnny Cash, Beastie Boys, Kiss, No Doubt, Public Enemy, Metallica and many more. A couple of my favorite assignments were shooting album covers for hip hop bands Salt-n-Pepa and Run DMC in my studio.
I love many genres of music but I have to say that I will always remain true to my punk and hardcore roots. The people I met in the early days of my career supported and encouraged me in a way that was unique to that burgeoning scene. We were always there for each other and I made many lifelong friends along the way.
When the punk scene started really flourishing in Los Angeles, I moved west to be closer to the bands I had become involved with. Some of the NY bands had relocated to LA and I ended up establishing friendships with other popular Southern California bands. I have lived in Los Angeles ever since and, although I miss New York at times, the move has proven to be the best thing possible for my career.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Hardly. In the beginning, the bands I shot couldn’t afford to pay me, so I was doing it for the love of the music and the friends I had made. Even the bigger fanzines like Thrasher hardly paid anything. My first album cover -“Sick of it All” – netted me absolutely nothing, but the gratification I got from contributing in some way to the scene, and seeing my work in print – in magazines, albums and promotional materials – was more than compensation enough.
Photography was an expensive pursuit at the time. Film, developing, equipment – it all added up so I had to work a number of underpaid jobs to get by. I turned my bathroom into a darkroom to save money. Plus, there was always risk involved shooting in mosh pits. I broke my arm stage diving but kept shooting. I don’t think people realize how physically demanding live photography can be. I also suffered a serious leg injury in a motorcycle accident but that didn’t stop me from fighting crowds and climbing up on stages to get the perfect shot.
I was always broke back in the day, but so were all my friends! We ate a lot of dollar pizza and hung out in Thompkins Square Park with homeless people and an assortment of other East Village characters. It was the best time of my life!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about BJ Papas Photography – what should we know?
I specialize in music photography – both live and studio work. I feel very gratified to have not only made a name for myself in my field but also to have forged so many close friendships with musicians from all over. I think it’s important to get to know your subject fairly well, in order to capture their true personality.
Since living in Los Angeles, I have shown my work in outdoor festivals including Punk Rock Bowling and the It’s not Dead Festival. These punk rock festivals include 100’s of bands, multiple stages and art galleries.
The response to my photos was very positive, which encouraged me to pursue publication. Currently, I am compiling a book of images taken during the 1980s and 1990s. I’m amazed and encouraged by the fact that there is an entirely new generation of kids who have an interest in the punk and hardcore scene and film photography.
I want to share my memories of a pivotal time in music history with any and all – those who were there and those who want to learn more.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
To shoot bands live, you have to be able to think on your feet and be responsive to your environment. Sometimes you think that you’re well situated to shoot a band only to realize that another position might work better or give another perspective. Things can change pretty quickly and you need to be able to switch gears on the spot.
You have to be fairly fearless and open to trying all different types of angles and shots. Shooting live is fast paced, hectic and demanding– which is what makes it so exciting to me. I also love doing studio work because it gives me the chance to spend time with my subjects and create something meaningful.
Contact Info:
- Address: 7119 WEST SUNSET BLVD. #813
LOS ANGELES CA 90046 - Website: www.bjpapas.com
- Phone: 917.549.3618
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bjpapas
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bjpapas
Image Credit:
Photo of BJ Papas by DaCosta
HR BAD BRAINS 9.20.1989 THE RITZ, NYC ©BJ PAPAS
MIKE NESS SOCIAL DISTORTION 11.24.2004 THE WILTERN LA CA
RUN DMC 4.4.1993 NYC © BJ PAPAS
SALT-N-PEPA 3.26.1991 NYC © BJ PAPAS
TIM ARMSTRONG RANCID 7.10.1996 LOLLAPALOOZA NYC © BJ PAPAS
X 7.11.1998 LAS VEGAS,NV @BJ PAPAS
AEROSMITH 2.17.1994 MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, NYC ©BJ PAPAS
GWEN STEFANI NO DOUBT 10.23.2002 CONTINENTAL AIR ARENA, NJ © BJ PAPAS
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