Energy, Grit, and the Final Boss

Photographs by Tess Fulkerson

Music photographer Tess Fulkerson opens up about going to every local show, Brooklyn’s DIY venue Trash Bridge, and how New York City is a living, breathing piece of art.

New York City, USA

How did you begin your journey as a photographer?

I picked up the camera for the first time on a whim, I had a red Canon Coolpix in middle school that I brought with me everywhere and would even plan obscure “artsy” shoots that I love looking back on today. As far as shooting bands, I admired other concert photographers at shows and thought, “Hm, I would like to try that” and thus the obsession was born. I started going to every local show I could, many many many basements, and practicing. Over time, I found a style I enjoyed and learned how to use my camera to my advantage.

What have you learned along the way?

You can have all the fancy equipment in the world, but it really just comes down to having an eye for it.

How would you describe your style? What makes your perspective different from other music photographers?

Energetic and gritty. My perspective is probably similar to most music photographers, but being a musician myself, I feel sometimes I can predict what people on stage are going to do before they do it. I love shooting wild and rowdy punk shows the best because of all the inevitable movement. My style ended up really forming around the nature of this.

The majority of your work focuses on musicians and concerts. Why does this subject matter inspire you?

I love music more than anything. I also love the idea of documenting the happenings of another art form in a way. Music history is so interesting to me, and the thought that I’m contributing to that, even if slightly, is exciting.

What would you say is the best thing about being a music photographer? What is the most challenging?

The best thing? Free entry to shows that I would want to see anyway haha and front row access!

The worst thing is definitely being unable to turn it off. These days, I’m incapable of attending a show without a camera in tow. And if I do, the entire time I’m just wishing I had one, or cursing myself when I see a cool shot I “could have gotten”.

Tell the story behind one of your images.

In this image of Pop Music Fever Dream, it was my first time attending a show at the “trash bridge” in Brooklyn this summer. The location is named for the bridge behind the area they set up equipment to throw shows. There’s a giant set of train tracks that apparently exist to haul trash exclusively and every once in a while, the trains will stop in the tracks under the bridge essentially forming a pretty good sound barrier to prevent a lot of noise pollution, making it possible to throw a show in the middle of a New York City street on a random Wednesday without getting the cops called on you. However, the smell as you can imagine, is not great haha. In this shot, the lead singer had climbed the steps to the bridge overlooking the show and was hanging from the railing. I am helping them hold their mic cable so as to not get disconnected during their antics.

You are based in New York City. How does the city inspire you as an artist?

I was originally based in Louisville, KY and then Nashville, TN and feel that is where I “grew up” as a music photographer and I kind of viewed New York City as the “final boss” of my creative career. This was a huge a factor in my decision to move here. I think what inspires me the most is that the city itself is a living breathing piece of art. It’s possible, and even easy, to step outside my front door here and simply breathe air and be inspired.

What is the music scene like in NYC? What makes it unique and special?

The music scene in New York is unlike any other I have seen. One thing that’s great is that every tour EVER comes through New York. If a musician I like is going on tour, I know I will be able to catch them here, unlike the Midwest, where I would likely have to travel hours away to a different city. This makes it both very cutthroat locally, but also advantageous. Local bands get more opportunities to open for cool national acts and get their music seen by a larger audience than anywhere. Bigger pool of bands, bigger pool of opportunity. There is also something happening EVERY night. If I wanted to, I could go to a different show every night of the week.

Who are some local bands we should listen to?

Some of my favorite local bands are: Balaclava, Big Girl, High Waisted, Tetchy, Television Overdose, Pop Music Fever Dream, Venus Twins, and Model Actriz

If you could photograph a music scene in any other city, which one would you want to photograph and why?

I think Austin, Texas would be fun to photograph in or Chicago, Illinois! Austin because of the way they have turned it into a huge musical hub and creative community. Chicago because I feel it has the big city nature of New York with the midwestern charm I grew up with and that translates to the local music scene as well.

If you could give advice to someone who wanted to get into music photography, what would you say?

Just do it! Go buy a used camera from your local camera shop and ask them for pointers on how to use it. Watch YouTube. Ask your friends at shows what they think. Don’t be embarrassed. My biggest piece of advice is to find a band you love and ask them to let you follow them around with your camera and learn. And most importantly, have fun!

What is next for you?

I’m hoping to get my work published more than ever before in 2025. I’ve worked on this for long enough to be proud enough to start sharing with a larger audience.