Behind The Lens

Featured Image by Maurits van Hout

“Behind The Lens” was one of our most beloved and best-read series, celebrating the artistry of jazz photography through insightful interviews and selections of images, curated by the photographer themselves. Each feature gave readers an intimate glimpse into the creative minds of renowned photographers, who selected photos that encapsulated their unique vision and captured the spirit of jazz culture. The series illuminated the powerful relationship between jazz musicians and the lenses that documented their magic—bringing to life moments both onstage and behind the scenes. Although the series concluded in 2022, it has remained a favorite among readers, with consistent calls to see it return.

In response to this enthusiastic demand, we’re excited to announce a special edition this December that brings together the entire “Behind The Lens” series in a single, dedicated publication celebrating the art of jazz photography. This retrospective will present the previously published interviews in full, accompanied by rich portfolios and never-before-seen material, allowing readers to dive fully into the stories and images that made the series so special. The comprehensive nature of this special edition aims to honor the ongoing visual legacy that jazz photographers contribute to the music’s history, culture, and enduring appeal.

Ed Thigpen | Photo by William Ellis

Before the special edition’s release, this preview article offers a condensed introduction to selected photographers featured in the series. Rather than reprinting full interviews here, these abridged glimpses provide an engaging overview of each artist’s approach, career highlights, and the distinctive styles that shaped their work. Serving as an appetizing entry point, the preview prepares readers for the depth and breadth of content they will discover in December, shining a spotlight on some of the most influential and visionary jazz photographers to date.

Jazz photography and indeed music photography in general is a unique discipline that not only documents the music but artistically interprets it—capturing fleeting moments of improvisation, the intensity of performance, and the candid humanity behind the stage. The “Behind The Lens” series created a vital space for this fusion of sound and image. As jazz photography continues to evolve, this special edition affirms our commitment to celebrating the visual storytellers who enrich the jazz experience, inviting readers to revisit iconic images and encounter fresh perspectives that honor the genre’s past and inspire its future.

CARL HYDE

Carl Hyde is a photographer whose work embodies the spirit and soul of jazz through images that are alive with musicality, freedom, and beauty. Based in South-East London, Carl’s journey with photography began at the age of eight with a simple compact camera, and over the decades, his passion for both jazz and photography has deepened into a distinctive artistic vision. As the long-time house photographer for the iconic Ronnie Scott’s jazz club since 2014, he has built a reputation for capturing the intimate energy and humanity of live jazz performance, combining technical skill with a profound respect for the musicians he photographs.

Carl’s style is characterized by its tonal sensitivity, often drifting between subtle black and white contrasts and rich color palettes, reflecting the mood and rhythm of the music itself. Known for slipping into a focused “zone” during performances, Carl finds that light and shadow play off one another in a delicate balance, producing images that are far more than mere documentation—they are visual interpretations of the emotional and improvisational nature of jazz. His approach is relaxed yet attentive, understanding that sometimes a simple glance from a musician can reveal the essence of the moment. Beyond the club, Carl’s work also includes compelling portraits and editorial photography, always grounded in a deep love for jazz and the spirit of collaboration.

Dr Lonnie Smith
performing at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London in 2015
Photo by: Carl Hyde

CHRIS DRUKKER

Chris Drukker is a New Jersey-based photographer and graphic designer whose distinguished career spans decades of capturing and shaping the visual identity of jazz music. His photographic portfolio features many of New York’s most legendary jazz musicians, from Lee Konitz and Bill Evans to Charles Mingus and Paquito D’Rivera. Alongside his prolific photography, Chris has designed close to a thousand album covers and contributed to major institutions like Jazz at Lincoln Center and WBGO Jazz radio, making him a deeply embedded figure in the jazz world’s visual and cultural fabric.

Originally drawn to illustration as a child, Chris transitioned into graphic design, working for top corporations before embracing freelance work focused on the music industry. This natural shift was driven by his long-standing involvement with jazz, from design to stage management and photography commissions. His photography is deeply intertwined with his design work; for Chris, the two disciplines are inseparable, both concerned with balance, form, and storytelling. Known for his focus on portrait, location, and live concert photography, Chris approaches each project thoughtfully, prioritizing the subject’s comfort and capturing the authentic energy of the moment. His ability to blend into live settings—earning him the nickname “photo ninja”—allows him to slipstream the emotion and light of performances, producing images charged with vibrancy and feeling.

Paquito D’Rivera
Live in Concert | Photo by: Chris Drukker

GUY FONCK

Guy Fonck, born in 1961 in Luxembourg, is a master of black and white jazz photography whose work captures the raw energy and intimate moments of live performance. Influenced early on by his father, a passionate photographer, and by family friend and renowned jazz photographer Raymond Clement, Guy developed a keen eye for the decisive moment and the atmosphere that defines jazz music. His extensive portfolio, built largely through shooting live concerts and festivals with an Asahi Pentax camera and Kodak Tri-X film, has been featured in prominent exhibitions across Europe, including regular showings at the International Photo Exhibition of Contemporary Music in Burghausen, Germany, throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

For Guy, black and white photography is not just a preference but an artistic choice, capturing the ambiance and timeless quality of jazz that color photography sometimes dilutes. His photography style is deeply rooted in the tradition of jazz photography greats like Francis Wolff, whom he cites as a major influence for mastering the art of “capturing the moment.” Beyond the camera, Guy’s involvement in the jazz scene extends to organizing festivals and concerts, as well as hosting a jazz radio program, making him a multifaceted contributor to Luxembourg’s vibrant jazz culture. With the advent of digital photography, Guy reignited his passion for capturing jazz performances, striving to combine technical precision with the elusive spirit of jazz’s live energy.

Michel Reis
Live at the Centre Culturel Opderschmelz in Dudelange on June 2, 2019.
Photo by: Guy Fonck

MAURITS VAN HOUT

Maurits van Hout is a Dutch professional photographer whose unconventional career path led him to become one of the most respected names in jazz photography today. At age 35, Maurits chose to leave a successful corporate career behind in order to pursue his passion for travel, people, and photography. Rather than office work, he enrolled at the Academy of Photography in Brussels, where he honed his skills in a relaxed and inspiring setting. Seventeen years ago, Maurits committed fully to his craft, selling most of his belongings to invest in high-end equipment and building a thriving freelance photography business based on creativity, communication, and client collaboration.

Though the bulk of his work centers on commercial photography—ranging from portraits to advertising and real estate—Maurits’s true joy and adrenaline rush comes from music photography, a passion sparked by an unforgettable moment sneaking into a David Bowie concert in 1995 with hidden camera gear. Disillusioned by the constraints of large pop venues, he found his creative freedom rekindled at intimate jazz clubs, where backstage access allowed him to connect deeply with musicians and capture sincere moments of artistic expression. Influenced by masters like Roy DeCarava, William Claxton, and Jos L. Knaepen, Maurits continues to expand his jazz portfolio, blending studio and location shoots with an unwavering belief that a great image demands intentionality, control of light and position, and a clear vision of what the photographer wants to reveal.

Bill Charlap Trio
Live at the Ghent Jazz Festval 2015
Photo by: Maurits van Hout

WILLIAM ELLIS

William Ellis is a British photographer renowned in the jazz world for his evocative portraits and innovative projects. His acclaimed “OneLP” project explores the deep personal connection musicians have with their favorite albums, capturing intimate portraits accompanied by reflections on the impact of these recordings. Exhibited worldwide—from the ARChive of Contemporary Music in New York to venues across Europe and Asia—Ellis’s work combines artistic photography with music history, offering a soulful glimpse into the minds of the artists. His photographs have been featured in respected music publications and prestigious galleries, and his images are held in the National Portrait Gallery in London.

Starting out inspired by iconic exhibitions and a fascination with light and form, Ellis has built a remarkable career photographing jazz legends such as Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie. His style emphasizes a musical communion between viewer and performer, aiming to make the audience feel present with the artist’s emotion and intensity. Beyond performance shots, Ellis has captured poignant still lifes of musicians’ instruments, underscoring the silent power and beauty of jazz culture. The “OneLP” project, blending photography with personal storytelling, stands as a unique testament to Ellis’s commitment to visual and musical artistry, resonating with both audiences and artists alike.