all images copyright jo lopez photography 2010
jo lopez photography
Caribbean-born photographer Jo Lopez is best known for his live performance shots of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Jo's unique photographic vision and style not only captures the essence of the musicians but summons viewers to "get on stage" and share the experience from Bruce and the band's point of view. Jo's images have been featured in many of Bruce's recent works such as Live in Hyde Park, The Promise and the cover of Wrecking Ball. Pieces from his collection have also been in Rolling Stone Magazine and displayed at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC.
Jo Lopez grew up on the outskirts of Arecibo, Puerto Rico where he feasted his eyes on vast landscapes and blue oceans. He spent his early adolescence in New York City where his formative mind was shaped by the sights and sounds of 1970s Harlem. On balmy nights from the depths of the Projects, he would drift away with the melodies wafting through the city streets infused with Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Doors, salsa and latin percussion. Immediately Jo felt a connection to the world of music but struggled to find his place until he finally acquired his first 35mm Yashica camera. With camera in hand Jo's colorful mind was finally given the opportunity and freedom to express and communicate his vision.
As a teenager, one of Jo's first impromptu photo shoots arose when he went to the Lone Star Cafe in New York City to see a performance of Jim Dandy's Black Oak Arkansas. To Jo's surprise, Jim Dandy noticed him shooting among the crowd and later invited him to shoot the band backstage. The confidence and excitement of such an opportunity gave Jo the momentum to pursue a career in photography. Equipped with a charismatic personality, the gift of vision and good karmic grace, Jo found himself immersed in the world of rock n' roll and throughout the years has had the privileged to work with many musical artists including Eric Johnson, Steve Vai, Brad Whitford, Ernie Isley, Billy Cox, Mitch Mitchell, Freddy Fender, Charlie Daniels, Hank Williams, Jr., Steven Seagal, Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger of The Doors, Buffalo Springfield with Neil Young and Stephen Stills and, most recently, Nicko McBrain from Iron Maiden.
Jo's photographic collection also includes fashion, scenic landscapes and a portfolio of Americana images taken during solo cross-country journeys along Route 66.