 |
 |
 |
July 1st, 2010
Well, anyone hip to the music and band photography world, should probably be at least familiar with Petey Place, and if not, you’re simply not paying attention. Petey has been shooting bands for a few years now, and has developed quite a name in the process. I’m pretty sure that there are not any more bands in the New England area that haven’t worked with Petey, or at least talked to him about it. He is one of the hardest working men in music photography, and another member of 40/60 Photography. Considered a young gun by many, 23 year old Petey lives in Punham, CT but is often on the road to shoot with an assortment of bands residing anywhere from Boston to New York. I’ve known Petey for a while now, and been a huge fan of his work. It was only a matter of time before I named him Photographer of the Month for the month of July.
I was able to get ahold of Petey and sit down and talk with him. Petey and I have known each other for a while now, so it wasn’t long before we started joking around and making a mockery of the interview. Regardless though, I was able to ask a few pretty good questions, and get some great responses from Petey.
Q :Thanks again for doing this Petey, I’ve been watching your work for some time now, but care to tell us all how you got into photography and got you to the level you are today?
A: I’ve been into photography since I was younger. I’ve always enjoyed looking at the photos in Daily Bread skate magazine back in 1998-2000 and so whenever i’d go skate with my friends we’d take pictures with the wal-mart film camera I had. Sadly, I never developed any rolls of film from those days. Since then, I was really intrigued with light and creating photos with lighting that I can control and direct. I would constantly lurk other photog’s work and see what kind of photos that they’re putting out and see if I could re-create that.
Q: Are you intentionally holding on to those rolls of film, to create a retirement fund for yourself in case you become the Annie Leibovitz of band photography?
A: Every one’s gotta have a back up plan. Those rolls of film, those are my plan. Circa 1998.
Q: hahah. Now you do do mostly band photography. With your growing success, especially across the East Coast, do you have trouble finding more bands to shoot? I know in my city, which is well sized, we have about a dozen serious bands or so.
A: In my area, we have a good number of local bands who are putting their heart and souls into the music that they create. I’ve gotten a good deal of repeat business with a few bands that I’ve developed a good..photog – band relationship with. We’re all comfortable shooting together, they know how I work, and we all know how to get work done, while having a great time. I haven’t had one boring photoshoot. I do a good amount of traveling between Connecticut, Rhode Island & Massachusetts…and those three states house a good amount of bands around here.
Q: Have you ever considered moving to LA or somewhere with more potential clients, or do you like the East Coast, and plan to stay there?
A: Moving somewhere else always crosses my mind. I’m always wondering where else could be a bit more benefitial in terms of steady, constant work. I don’t think I’m anywhere close to the level of photog’s on the West Coast. I really dig the area of the northeast. My town is a bit on the small side but it’s an awesome area to come home to when I need to relax from a long day of shooting and traveling. We’ll see what happens in the future!
Q: When lighting subjects, we all have our comfort lighting setups, care to explain your comfort lighting diagram to us?
A: Yes, I definitely do…I get my safe shots first, then once I feel good about those, I’ll be more creative. My safe set up definitely would be the Beauty dish for key, then 2 lights as rims, as you guys have seen many, many, many, many times done over. Perhaps I’ve gotten too comfortable with it. This year is about pushing myself and doing new set-up’s that I haven’t done before. Must stop being safe all the time!
Q: When you think of a new setup, do you find friends to be test subjects with it, or do you just go into a commercial shoot blindly and pray for the best?
A: I’ve definitely gone into it blindly, messing around with the lights, trying out new things and finding out what works. I haven’t shot with my friends in ages. Last time I did, I think it was when I just had speedlights. Good part is the new set-up’s I’ve done, have worked out pretty well! +1 for working under pressure.
Q: Now you’re yet another member of 40/60 Photography, and the second member of the group I’ve highlighted. Care you explain your thoughts on being in a group of photographers, and how its helped/hurt your business?
A: It has definitely helped me a lot, that is for sure. It has helped with exposure, I <3 (no homo) the dudes of 40/60, they’re all awesome people, hilarious, creative…and we all bring something new/different to the table. The work they do, encourages me to get my work done and to do it with professionalism. Jose’s work…inspires me on the daily..his post processing still blows my mind. I can’t seem to figure it out. I wish I had Conor’s design skills. Sean’s composition and light hearted-ness is something everyone needs. Dabe…..Dabe is a constant reminder of how vertically challenged I am, plus I’m envious of his video and lighting skills. If I shoot a band and I’m able to pass them along to Conor for a layout, then that’s great! It’s all about helping each other out.
Q: How’d you feel if I created 41/61 Photo? A group that’s numerically one better than 40/60. Would you sick Dabe on me?
A: We’d call up dispatch and have the matter taken care of. LOL I can only speak for myself hah. In all reality, we’d probably throw down, then shake hand’s at the end of it and get some bubble tea.
41/61 is adamantly against bubble tea, and fair fights.
Q: Thanks again for taking the time from your busy schedule to chat with me. I look forward to seeing you constantly put out better and better work.
A: Thank you sir! I appreciate the opportunity 
A Highlight of Petey Photo’s Work (Click to Enlarge)-
All images copyright Petey Photography
More of Petey’s work can be viewed at the following links
Website | Flickr | MySpace | Facebook
(11:00:33 AM) Genuine Rolla: I’ve been into photography since I was younger. I’ve always enjoyed looking at the photos in Daily Bread skate magazine back in 1998-2000 and so whenever i’d go skate with my friends we’d take pictures with the wal-mart film camera i had. Sadly, I never developed any rolls of film from those days. Since then, I was really intrigued with light and creating photos with lighting that I can control and direct.
(11:01:36 AM) Genuine Rolla: So, I would constantly lurk other photog’s work and see what kind of photos that they’re putting out and see if I could re-create that.
(11:02:22 AM) MonsoonTheM0vie: Are you intentionally holding on to those rolls of film, to create a retirement fund for yourself incase you become the Annie Leibovitz of band photography?
(11:02:57 AM) Genuine Rolla: everyone’s gotta have a back up plan. Those rolls of film, those are my plan. Circa 1998.
(11:04:06 AM) MonsoonTheM0vie: hahah. Now you do do mostly band photography. With your growing success, especially across the East Coast, do you have trouble finding more bands to shoot? I know in my city, which is well sized, he have about a dozen serious bands or so.
(11:07:14 AM) Genuine Rolla: In my area, we have a good number of local bands who are putting their heart and souls into the music that they create. I’ve gotten a good deal of repeat business with a few bands that I’ve developed a good..photog – band relationship with. We’re all comfortable shooting together, they know how I work, and we all know how to get work done, while having a great time. I haven’t had one boring photoshoot. I do a good amount of traveling between Connecticut, Rhode Island & Massachusettes…and those three states house a good amount of bands around here.
(11:08:30 AM) MonsoonTheM0vie: Have you ever considered moving to LA or somewhere with more potential clients, or do you like the East Coast, and plan to stay there?
(11:11:08 AM) Genuine Rolla: Moving somewhere else always crosses my mind. I’m always wondering where else could be a bit more benefitial in terms of steady, constant work. I don’t think I’m anywhere close to the level of photog’s on the WestCoast. I really dig the area of the northeast. My town is a bit on the small side but it’s an awesome area to come home to when I need to relax from a long day of shooting and traveling. We’ll see what happens in the future!
(11:12:13 AM) MonsoonTheM0vie: When lighting subjects, we all have our comfort lighting setups, care yo explain your comfort lighting diagram to us?
(11:16:39 AM) Genuine Rolla: yes, I definitely do…I get my safe shots first, then once I feel good about those, i’ll be more creative. My safe set up definitely would be the Beauty dish for key, then 2 lights as rims, as you guys have seen many, many, many, many times done over. Perhaps i’ve gotten too comfortable with it. This year is about pushing myself and doing new set-up’s that I haven’t done before. Must stop being safe all the time!
(11:17:37 AM) MonsoonTheM0vie: When you think of a new setup, do you find friends to be test subjects with it, or do you just go into a commercial shoot blindly and pray for the best?
(11:18:55 AM) Genuine Rolla: I’ve definitely gone into it blindly, messing around with the lights, trying out new things and finding out what works. I haven’t shot with my friends in ages. Last time I did, I think it was when I just had speedlights. Good part is the new set-up’s i’ve done, have worked out pretty well! +1 for working under pressure.
(11:20:13 AM) MonsoonTheM0vie: Now you’re yet another member of 40/60 Photography, and the second member of the group I’ve highlighted. Care you explain your thoughts on being in a group of photographers, and how its helped/hurt your business?
(11:25:54 AM) Genuine Rolla: It has definitely helped me a lot, that is for sure. It has helped with exposure, I <3 (no homo) the dudes of 40/60, they’re all awesome people, hilarious, creative…and we all bring something new/different to the table. The work they do, encourages me to get my work done and to do it with professionalism. Jose’s work…inspire’s me on the daily..his post processing still blows my mind. I can’t seem to figure it out. I wish I had Conor’s design skills. Sean’s composition and light heartedness is something everyone needs. Dabe…..dabe is a constant reminder of how veritically challenged I am, plus I’m envious of his video and lighting skills. If I shoot a band and I’m able to pass them along to conor for a layout, then that’s great! It’s all about helping each other out.
(11:27:49 AM) MonsoonTheM0vie: How’d you feel if I created 41/61 Photo? A group thats numerically one better than 40/60. Would you sick Dabe on me?
(11:29:48 AM) Genuine Rolla: We’d call up dispatch and have the matter taken care of. LOL I can only speak for myself hah. In all reality, we’d probably throw down, then shake hand’s at the end of it and get some bubble tea.
(11:30:26 AM) MonsoonTheM0vie: 41/61 is adamantly against bubble tea, and fair fights.
(11:31:03 AM) MonsoonTheM0vie: Side note- I think I’m getting lunch with Dabe on Friday, should I greet him with a hug, or a sucker punch to the side of the face?
(11:31:19 AM) Genuine Rolla: Your arms are too short to box with Dabe.
(11:31:33 AM) MonsoonTheM0vie: Dude, I’m 6’3″, I’m a pretty big guy
(11:31:37 AM) Genuine Rolla: are you serious!!!
(11:31:49 AM) Genuine Rolla: you’re that freaking tall!?! I thought you were like…5’6″ or 5’9″ the tallest
(11:31:58 AM) MonsoonTheM0vie: Nah, I’m a big dude
(11:32:14 AM) Genuine Rolla: holy cow dude….what is up with everone being so effing tall. Conor and I are the shortest of the group
(11:33:04 AM) MonsoonTheM0vie: Dabe and I would have a pretty solid fight. We’re I lack in the technique and arm length, I make up for heart and the lack of moral fiber to fight fair
(11:33:46 AM) Genuine Rolla: Moral Fiber sounds like an elderly cereal
(11:34:05 AM) MonsoonTheM0vie: haha, if it was, I sure as hell wouldnt eat it
(11:34:41 AM) MonsoonTheM0vie: I dont think this part will be in the interview….but I dont think I need any more
(11:35:17 AM) Genuine Rolla: word! hahah
(11:35:38 AM) MonsoonTheM0vie: So as an final thought.
(11:36:17 AM) MonsoonTheM0vie: Thanks again for taking the time from your busy schedule to chat with me. I look forward to seeing you constantly put out better and better work.
(11:36:40 AM) Genuine Rolla: thank you sir! I appreciate the opportunity
Posted in Photographer of the Month
Love the technique of shooting with the back sunlight and the shadows with front flash- Grant