Behind the Scenes with Photographer Alysse Gafkjen

Documenting the soul of American music through timeless, black-and-white portraiture

Alysse Gafkjen

For acclaimed photographer Alysse Gafkjen, success wasn’t a single flashbulb moment — it was a series of small steps, each one leading her closer to a life behind the lens. From assisting on commercial photo shoots during college to her first Rolling Stone publication, and eventually to photographing icons like Robert Plant, Reba McEntire, and The Black Keys, Gafkjen has built her career one relationship, one frame, one moment at a time.

Her photography style is as timeless as it is intimate: “Simple, soulful, classic on black and white film,” she says. Influenced by the likes of Diane Arbus, Sally Mann, and Richard Avedon, her images carry a quiet weight, evoking both the raw humanity of her subjects and the unspoken stories beneath their surfaces.

She’s been capturing those stories for nearly two decades, beginning as a second shooter at weddings while studying photography at the Columbus College of Art & Design. Her passion was sparked early by documentary photography and the art of portraiture. That curiosity has since led her to some of music’s most legendary rooms — including a surreal afternoon at SXSW with Jimmy Cliff and Robert Plant, and an impromptu portrait session at a Nashville White Castle with Billy Gibbons, fries and all.

We sat down with Gafkjen for an exclusive interview, part of which was published in our inaugural print volume, "Heritage Reclaimed." Here, we offer the full interview, with her candid "takes" on living life as a creative, motherhood, and her favorite career moments.

Billy Strings

ON THE RCORD...

Palomino County: What makes you better, unique, or different from others in your field?

Alysse Gafkjen: I aim to capture the true personality of my subjects—who they are beyond the surface.

PC: Why do American consumers connect with your work? 

AG: Much of my work focuses on current American songwriters and musicians. I’m deeply rooted in documenting contemporary American music culture.

PC: What is your definition of the American Dream? 

AG: Being able to make a living doing something you love.

PC: How do you define success?

AG: Having the ability to do work you love while bringing joy to the people you collaborate with.

PC: Are there books, quotes, or inspirations that guide you? 

AG: Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn has been incredibly grounding for me, as well as The Courage to Create.

Kelsey Waldon

On Career & Craft...

PC: Was there a single “big break,” or did your career build gradually?

AG: It was a hundred little things. From assisting on large commercial shoots while still in college, to my first publication in Rolling Stone, to moving to Nashville and building my portfolio one client at a time—it’s all compounded through word of mouth and long-term relationships.

PC: How would you define your photography style? 

AG: Simple, soulful, and classic—primarily shot on black-and-white film.

PC: When did you first feel the pull toward photography? 

AG: Around 2008, while still in college, I began second-shooting weddings. I studied photography at CCAD and was drawn to documentary photography and black-and-white portraiture early on. Influences include Diane Arbus, Sally Mann, Dorothea Lange, Richard Avedon, and Irving Penn. Now, 18 years later, I'm still going!

PC: Who are some of the artists you’ve worked with? Any moments that stand out? 

AG: I’ve photographed Billy Gibbons, Keith Urban, Reba McEntire, Lainey Wilson, Marty Stuart, CeeLo Green, Robert Plant, Sierra Ferrell, Billy Strings, and The Black Keys.

One unforgettable moment was being asked to document Jimmy Cliff at SXSW. That same day, Robert Plant wanted to meet Jimmy, and I found myself as the third person in the room photographing their conversation—listening as they shared stories and talked about how deeply they’d inspired one another as young musicians. Later that evening, I met Bruce Springsteen backstage before Jimmy joined him on stage. It was an extraordinary day.

Another favorite memory: Billy Gibbons called me up and asked to shoot portraits in Nashville that week. We stopped at White Castle, where he jumped out, ordered fries and a Coke, and we shot portraits right there. His spontaneity and constant creativity are infectious.

Jason Isbell

On Perspective...

PC: What is the most challenging part of being a creative? 

AG: Continuing to choose curiosity over fear. And making sure that what I do professionally never diminishes my love for creativity in everyday life—especially now as a new mom. It’s important to me to show my son what it looks like to work for yourself doing what you love. My parents owned their own sewing business when I was young, and that deeply influenced my decision to pursue a creative career independently.

PC: What advice would you give artists considering a non-traditional, self-employed path?

AG: Be prepared for a lot of hard work—and a lot of no’s. But it’s absolutely worth it for the freedom to work for yourself.

PC: Nashville vs. San Antonio—what do you love about each? 

AG: San Antonio feels laid-back and almost European. Its art scene, culture, architecture, and people are incredibly inspiring. Nashville has been an amazing place to build my business within the music world. I’ll always cherish the clients who believed in me from the very beginning.

To learn more about Alysse Gafkjen and her work visit: AlysseGafkjen.com

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