Industry Insider: Photographer – Tom Falcone

So, way back in February, I made my way from Upstate New York to Massachusetts on assignment for a couple interviews on the Take Action Tour (Breathe Carolina and Anarbor). With some time to kill during sound check before the interviews were to start, I found myself standing side stage, relaxing and taking in the pre-show antics of stage and sound prepping, when a fresh face that I didn’t recognize chimed up and introduced himself. After chatting a bit, I learn that this is Tom Falcone – no, not the former member of Cute Is What We Aim For – but an up and coming photographer traveling on a leg of the Take Action Tour with Anarbor. Fast forward to the month of May and I find myself in New Jersey at Bamboozle and who do I run into? None other than Tom Falcone, again! This is [clearly] someone we will all be seeing a lot more of as his touring resume grows – so keep an eye out for him at shows around the country!

At just 17 years old, Falcone has already found a place in the music industry as a professional photographer. Having done photo shoots with All Time Low, Cute Is What We Aim For, There For Tomorrow, and more – he is already making quite a name for himself. Check out my interview with Tom, completed soon after his return home to New York City, after a brief jaunt on the 2009 Vans’ Warped Tour.

Can you introduce yourselves for the readers at ForTheSound.com?

Tom Falcone. A 17 year old music photographer from New York.

Standard info – What kind of camera do you use/brand/lens/equipment preferences?

Canon 5D… Ran with 17-40mm f/4 lens and a bunch of Alien Bee strobes!

You’re only 17 years old, yet you’ve gone on several tours as a touring photographer and have done several photo shoots with up-and-coming bands in the scene. Besides your high school schedule, what has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a young person in the industry?

Being very young in the industry isn’t such a bad thing. As I get older, more and more bands are being signed to labels and looking for photos. I am getting the most exposure at seventeen…who knows what I’ll be doing at 19 or 20! There are always bands and musicians looking for photos, no matter what stage they are in, in the industry.

How did you get started in music industry photography?

I got really into live band photography…shooting for band publications such as 123 Magazine, and webzines such as Tragic Endings and others. After every concert I shot, I’d e-mail the band the images and ask if they ever needed press photos and it led from there. The industry started spreading my name and people recommend me to other people, which give me something to do!

It seems like it would be a really competitive field – especially with such a great amount of young talented photographers out there with Adam Elmakias, Gage Young, Sara Kiesling, etc. – do you find that it is more encouraging to have others your age in the field…like a feeling of camaraderie among photographers…or is it more competitive?

Lately I’ve been getting compared to Adam and Gage. They are great dudes, and we have been friends for a while now. They are both young guys, as well as myself. I look at myself and it seems like I am going to follow their footsteps, somewhat. The thing about photography is that everyone is acquainted. No one really has “beef” or “hate” towards each other or about their work. I would never look at Gage or Adam and say, “Oh wow, this band hired them over me…not cool!” It just makes me more inspired to be a better photographer.

Where do you find your inspiration for coming up with promo shoots for bands? Is it mostly a collaborative process between you and the band? Or what is the process of prepping for a photo shoot like for you?

Depending on what the images are being used for, I will separate what I want, and what the band is looking for. Sitting down before to the shoot and discussing what is going to take place is essential. Most of the time, bands have limited time during their day to discuss any actions that will be taking place during the shoot so I leave it up to their manager as well… Also, prepping for a photo shoot is a huge deal. Other than packing, making sure all equipment is working, and actually getting to the destination the booking of photo shoots are long. Some shoots take over a month to get confirmed and approved by label. Some shoots I have gotten were scheduled a day before via-phone call from my manager (Caleb Beiermann) which isn’t such a smart idea, haha. Thanks Caleb!

If you had unlimited funds/resources – what band would you shoot, where would your location be, and what kind of a treatment would you design for them?

I always wanted to take a band white water rafting. Or…fake it. I feel like it would be hysterical. And for a band to do that…that will for whoever is up to it!

This summer you did a short run on the 2009 Vans Warped Tour – were there any events or happenings regarding this tour that you hadn’t expected to encounter that you did? What were your initial expectations for this tour?

That is a good question. Ha ha. There was many times through out the day, and all night, where I would be thinking to myself, “Is this real?” Or “…am I really talking to this person?” I used to become very star struck, but lately my life has done a complete 180 and I look at everyone to be the same as everyone else, a normal human being. One of the weirdest encounters of the tour, which is ironic but cool, was that two of the workers of Rock For Health that were on my bus, were from Yonkers (where I work full time). Thought it was funny! The first night I was on the bus, and the first venue I arrived at, I thought the week was going to be boring and non -ventful but things ended up being great and the most fun I’ve had in a while!

Come up with 5 essential rules and/or necessities of Warped Tour.

1)    Sunscreen.
2)    Bring a towel to shower – I had to use a shirt every time I showered!
3)    Make sure you grab a few of those Vans Warped Tour Waters every few hours…so cool!
4)    Fill your catering plate full of food so you eat as much as possible.
5)    Have fun!

What is the most memorable shoot that you have done to date?

I have a few… Action Item – because they took me to Chipotle for my first time. Hey Monday – because the photos came out sick! The other ones…it’s a secret!

What is the best thing or most useful thing that band or another band has taught you while touring with them?

Whenever I head out on the road, I never think about food or my hygiene (minus brushing my teeth). On Take Action, I barley ate for some reason. On Warped, Wal-Mart runs were the best. I stocked up on Easy Mac and microwavable pizza and pasta.

What is the best advice anyone has ever given you, either pertaining to photography or life in general? Who gave it to you? Did you follow it?

I’ve taken any advice anyone has ever given to me. Most important ones were stuff like “talk to everyone, and anyone. Hand out business cards like crazy. Give your number and e-mail out to anyone! And make a good first impression!” – [From] my parents, pretty much, and friends.

What advice can you offer to other young photographers hoping to get into the industry? What are some ways they can prepare for this particular field of photography?

Be ready to work hard. Be ready to do stuff you don’t want to do and take crap for being young. I was the “baby” on the bus this summer. Start small, and one day you will have a big break out.

Any final words to the readers at ForTheSound.com?

Natalie Bisignano rules. And so does ForTheSound. Thank you! Be sure to check out my images at: www.flickr.com/tjfphotography and e-mail me if you have any questions about the photography field at: tom@blackgoldsociety.com . Thank you!