Nearly twenty years ago, I walked into Philadelphia Java Company and I met James Dean.
There was an undeniable coolness about him: the cigarette with the mile long ash hanging from the corner of his lip and a swagger to his walk as he sauntered up to get a cup of black coffee. He had a penetrating gaze— well, at least that’s how my mind’s eye remembers him. With my deep rooted shyness long behind me, I marched right up and asked him his name.
“Dylan,” he said.
Of course your name is Dylan, I thought. It couldn’t have been more fitting.
Dylan played guitar in a Philadelphia rock band called Valsalva and he is the son of the late Jay McConnell, former owner of famed Philly dive bar, Dirty Frank’s. We talked for a bit and I announced that I was a photographer and that I’d love to photograph him. Without hesitation, he agreed.
As a self taught photographer and only three years in at the time, I was eager to shoot “in-studio.” So, I called Milton Perry. Milton was one of my first photographer friends and he had an amazing photography studio in the loft district. Once the studio was secure, I began fixating on how I was going to photograph Dylan. Because he had such a classic and iconic look, I quickly decided on a white seamless backdrop.
There was only one tiny problem: I had NO IDEA how to do it— Again, self taught.
So, I set off for the now defunct Abbey Camera. John Kreidler, Greg McIlhenny, and Andy Bolton were the absolute best— I peppered them with questions, which they expertly answered and they helped arm me with the gear I needed to pull off the photo shoot.
August 28, 2000— the day of the shoot. I arrived at the studio early and was fully charged, completely ready for the challenge. My assistant was a guy named Todd, whose last name I can’t remember to save my life! We had a full sweep set up, strobes with soft boxes and umbrellas on stands, and my beloved Hasselblad on the tripod. To say I was happy, well— what an understatement.
Dylan arrived on time and was wearing the most perfect, well-worn white t-shirt. Of course he was. Didn’t I tell you he was James Dean?
Todd and I tweaked the lights and after double checking my exposure and composition, I was good to go.
On set we listened to the Red Hot Chili Peppers record, “Californication” on repeat. (*At the time, my brother, Aaron, and I were obsessed with the song “Scar Tissue.”) “With the birds I share this lonely view…” Anthony Kiedis sang as I snapped photo after photo of Dylan. Only it wasn’t a lonely view for me— I was wide-eyed and my heart was full.
It’s now almost twenty years later, and in my home in Philadelphia— in a very prominent spot— hangs a massive 40×40 print of Dylan from that photo shoot, framed in steel. When people come into our home, they often blurt out: “Wow! That’s ‘Rebel Without a Cause!'”
“Yep,” I say with a smile. “That’s Dylan.”
*Dylan now lives in California and has two daughters. He is a graphic designer specializing in logo and web design, as well as brand identity.
Shot with a Hasselblad 501CM
Judy Lewis
Love your work Lauren. I thought your photo at home was James Dean. You have such a flare. Can’t wait to see Vol. 2!
Lauren Lyons
My father thought it was James Dean as well. Thank you so much, Aunt Judy. Much love to you and Uncle Dunc. We miss you guys.
Matthew Loeber
Being a photography student at the beginning of the 90s, this entry brought back many memories of that time for me!! I met the legendary Milton Perry through Phil Kramer when I was Phil’s assistant.
Of course I remember Abbey Camera, it was like being a kid walking into a candy store being a photography student and walking into that place!!
And oh how many a night and days for that matter did I spend in the cave that Dirty Franks!! Cheap beer that seemed to be spilled on every square inch of floors and tables, and us students bitching about our teachers and the insane amount of work they expect us to do and brainstorming over a million beers about creating art!! Good Times! Thanks for bringing back those memories Lauren!!
Lauren Lyons
I love this, Matt! We have so many friends in common. Milton Perry certainly is a legend— he’d love that title. I miss Abbey Camera, but we still have Webb Cam and John Webb and his crew are fantastic. He’s opening a studio soon as well, stay tuned for info on that. Thanks so much for the support, Matt.