I'd like you to meet my friend and photographer Pam Springsteen. She has zoomed in on some of the most notable faces in music history and film. Pam was born in Freehold, New Jersey and raised in Northern California. The younger sister of Bruce Springsteen, Pam's photographs of her brother can be seen through the Mojave Desert and along the famous Route 66. Pam began her photography career shooting for magazines and the music industry. Her work appeared in Spin Magazine, RollingStone, and Musician to name a few. Her style has attracted a broad range of celebrities including Keith Richards, Neil Young, Tom Hanks, Ice Cube and Rosanne Cash. Pam's unique strength lies in her ability to create an honest and intimate portrait in a comfortable , fun and collaborative environment.
Pam and I happened to meet on one of the hottest days Los Angeles has had in years. I've been fortunate enough to have met Pam several years ago through our kids school. The photo you see above is very telling of who she is. Pam's laugh is infectious, and her smile is contagious. You can't help but feel happy and carefree in her presence. I'm sure the artist experiences the same vibe when in front of her lens. Her photography is not only impressive it's authentic...because she is.
I love Pam's confidence, calmness and her down right ease attitude of life. She's managed to roll it all together. Photographer, wife and a great mother. I can say this because I've seen her in action for the last ten years. Below are just a few of Pam's photographs. Her work is truly a reflection of who she is. I believe she captures the artist's spirit, heart and liveliness.
Lyle Lovett
Neil Young
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
Italian Fans
Keith Richards
Tom Hanks
Tony Childs... what a great shot!
Her brother... Bruce Springsteen
Ghost Of Tom Joad / Exhibit going on now - September 8 - December 22 / A traveling photography exhibit curated by the GRAMMY Museum of Los Angeles to document Bruce's world, at different stages in his career. For more info. visit: MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY
Stormy afternoon on The Jersey Shore.
Pam's favorite subject / Her beautiful, gracious and kind daughter... Ruby
When Pam said "Yes" she would like to be featured on The Grateful Gardenia as one of my Fearless Females I was thrilled. Over the years, I've loved getting to know Pam, and her talent goes unnoticed by no one. Pam is real, kind and funny beyond...and she is definitely FEARLESS. Whether she is encouraging her daughter Ruby or in a conversation with you, she is always telling you to "Go For It." Thanks for your inspiration, oh...and sweating it out together while hanging out in your studio. Currently her photos are part of a traveling exhibition curated by the Grammy Museum titled Bruce Springsteen: A Photographic Journey.
And you bet...this girl was "BORN IN THE U.S.A."
Interview with Pamela Springsteen
Me: As a businesswoman, what are some challenges you have faced and how did you overcome it?
Pam: What are the challenges I have faced: First let me start off by saying how grateful I am to have spent my life's work doing the thing that I love. I have been a photographer for 25 years and I have met so many interesting people and have traveled to places I never would have gone. The challenges today are different than when I first started shooting. The digital revolution has changed things in so many ways, the market has been flooded with images increasing competiion and lowering rates making harder for photographers to earn a living. Kodak has gone bankrupt, Polaroid has gone bankrupt, and the last lab on the planet to process Kodachome closed down (for photographers and Simon and Garfunkel fans that's very sad). In spite of all that the most important aspect has stayed the same, which is staying true to your own vision. The only way to overcome these challenges is to adapt to the changes and know who you are and what you do. It can be a very exciting time as well, on the positive side there are more opportunities and more outlets for visual communication. Photography at it's best tells a story. I try to look for the story in every frame and when you capture that, well, that's the exciting part.
Me: Describe a day in your life as an entrepreneur?
Pam: A day in my life: My personal day is balanced between being a photographer and being a mother, being an artist and being a business person. I'm not very good at multi-tasking and I'm a bit of a perfectionist, so things often don't get done quite as fast as I would like. Between school drop offs and returning emails, the core reason why I chose this profession often takes a backseat so the one thing that I do that's very important to me is- everyday I make sure I photograph something that's purely for myself. It may not always be great but it keeps the creative juices flowing and my passion alive.
Me: What motivates you to keep going?
Pam: What motivates me to keep going is that I love photography. I love what I do. I don't care who or what I'm shooting I am always at my best and happiest behind the camera.
Me: What are your 3 favorite beauty or clothing products you can’t live without?
Pam: FRESH Rose Face Mask or face cream or any product from FRESH. Ito Green tea which is always on my desk and Hye Park and Lune's super soft t-shirts.
Pamela Springsteen Photography Contact Pam directly for sales or questions.
"One should really use the camera as though tomorrow you'd be stricken blind."
Dorothea Lange