A glimpse into the jazz photography of Skip Bolen

Skip Bolen is a southern photographer of jazz musicians, architecture, interiors, old signage, lifestyle and the culture of his hometown New Orleans. Shooting in black & white with Leica film cameras, or shooting in color with pro Canon digital cameras, Skip Bolen is dedicated to "capturing the moment" of some of today's most exciting artists and jazz performers on and offstage using only available light, revealing images infused with the spontaneous intensity, raw energy and collaborative spirit of the live jazz performance. Working without flash, being as unobtrusive as possible in deference to the artist, he adapts his technique to each club or location setting. He is in constant pursuit of impromptu moments that display the heart and soul of what is Jazz, often capturing the intense concentration and sheer joy of the extemporaneous collaborative effort in the facial expressions of jazz musicians. In the studio - shooting portraits in both color and black and white, Skip Bolen is a master of studio lighting in a classic distinctive style. Other works in progress include documenting the disappearing historic landscape of vintage signs, water towers, telephone poles, architecture and other points of interest in the South, New York and Los Angeles - a collection of images that embody both romance and nostalgia taken primarily at night with available light.

Born just outside of New Orleans, Skip Bolen took his first photo at the age of 8 with a Kodak Instamatic 124. His family traveled quite a bit and someone had to take the pictures when his father wasn't. Later he moved to New York City and worked at Conde Nast Publications for several years as Senior Designer under Anna Wintour and Editorial Director/Artist Alexander Liberman where he studied the works by such giants as Edward Steichen, Horst P. Horst, Cecil Beaton, Henry Clarke, Philippe Halsman and many others. He spent most of his time after hours in Greenwich Village basement Jazz clubs and spent his money on Jazz CD's while developing a keen interest in the Blue Note jazz photographer Francis Wolff, jazz photographer and bassist Milt Hinton, and jazz photographer William Gottlieb. It wasn't until later when he moved back to New Orleans where he was influenced and inspired by seeing the extraordinary works of Herman Leonard and William Claxton at A Gallery for Fine Photography. After living in the Hollywood Hills overlooking Los Angeles for the past few years, Skip recently moved back home to New Orleans and now travels back regularly to Los Angeles and New York. Some things never change as he still spends most of his time in Jazz clubs while spending most of his money on Jazz CD's.

Skip Bolen's photographs are in public and private collections, among them the Ogden Museum of Southern Art in New Orleans, Louisiana State Museum, NOCCA in New Orleans and Jazz-Institut Darmstadt in Darmstadt, Germany. His work has been exhibited in many solo and group exhibitions, among them Robert Bruno Gallery in New Orleans, The John Stinson Gallery in New Orleans, The Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles, ZOOM photography show in Los Angeles, Jazz Day L.A. at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, and the Los Angeles Jazz Society's Annual Jazz Tribute & Concert. His work has appeared in the CBS News Productions' episode of "Legendary Hangouts" hosted by Morley Safer. His photography has appeared in various magazines, periodicals including The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Vogue, New York Post, US Weekly, Elle, VH-1, New York Magazine, Downbeat Magazine, Jazz Times Magazine, Where New Orleans and many others. He is a member of the Jazz Journalists Association, Jazz Photographers Association, International Association of Jazz Educators, NPPA, Advertising Photographers of America and IATSE Local 600 (International Cinematographers Guild). His studies include the International Center of Photography in New York City. Skip Bolen is represented internationally by Getty Images and WireImage.com, and by Stella Jones Gallery in New Orleans.

As a member of the IATSE Local 600 (International Cinematographers Guild), Skip Bolen also specializes shooting stills photography for film production and promotion - including unit, episodic, and behind-the-scenes images of actors, crew and production. Also specializing in documentary and special event photography. Skip Bolen offers a complete digital and film service, using Jacobson Sound Blimps and Apple-Intel computers - available to shoot in New Orleans, New York and Los Angeles. Will travel and work anywhere...

SKIP BOLEN PHOTOGRAPHY

Call 1-213-840-9259, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Central time).
 
E-mail: sbolen@skipbolenstudio.com

Mailing Address: Post Office Box 51295, New Orleans, LA 70151-1295 U.S.A.
Please call for anything requiring a street address such as United Parcel Service or Federal Express.


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