After 25 Years the Show Still Goes On

One Fateful Night at a Blues Bar With a Rock Legend Cemented My Career in Photography

Join us as we celebrate Photography G’s 25th year in business. We hope you’ll tag along for some fun stories, reminiscence and of course some favorite, meaningful images from the archives.

Let’s kick it off with where it all began: a musician hero of mine, Gregg Allman. It is an image of him here, singing “Melissa” that I consider to be my first professional-quality photograph.

My first 35mm camera was (film, of course) a Pentax that I found at a ski chalet and became mine after no one claimed for weeks at lost and found. It would then sit for years before I braved trying to work the thing — I didn’t know if it even worked!

Gregg Allman was doing a show in the 1980s at a local Blues bar in my hometown of Minneapolis. I needed help from my big brother to get me in as I was underage. That hurdle crossed, the next door I got through was to Gregg’s dressing room. Someone was walking out and I, well, just walked in (see black-and-white photo below). And that open door would open more doors that would eventually lead to my successful career at first, a rock and roll photographer. A little more than 25 years later, I can say that first night began my career as a professional photographer.

About Gregg: I remember thinking, “Wow, Southern Rock and Blues legend, royalty! And so old!” (He was of 35 years old at the time, and my how those perceptions change with time). I would meet Gregg many times through the years and come to know him as a real Southern gentleman. And an admirer of my work.

Thanks Gregg Allman. You were and still are, The Man! Thanks for your kindness and generosity toward that young punk kid way back when!

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