By Jorge Perezchica
For more than four decades, photographer Jimmy Steinfeldt has stood just feet from some of the most influential musicians in modern music. From Prince and Stevie Ray Vaughan to Frank Sinatra and Madonna, his camera has captured moments that now live as part of rock and roll history.
Now, Steinfeldt is bringing a selection of those images to the Coachella Valley in a new exhibition titled Desert Rocks Music Photography, opening March 11-April 5 at the Artists Council gallery in Palm Desert.
The exhibition will showcase some of Steinfeldt’s most memorable concert photographs alongside portraits of legendary performers including Frank Sinatra and Nancy Sinatra. Joining him in the exhibition is renowned Hollywood photographer Harry Langdon, creating a rare opportunity to see work from two generations of music photographers in one gallery.
“Visitors are going to see both concert photos and studio photography of these great musicians,” Steinfeldt said. “They’re going to see some of the greatest performers of the 20th century.”
A Home Filled with Rock History
Before the exhibition opens, Steinfeldt offered a preview of sorts during a recent visit to his home studio in La Quinta Cove.
After exchanging emails, he invited Coachella Magazine to meet him in person at his house nestled in the quiet neighborhood beneath mountains. The home features a pool and sweeping desert views — a peaceful setting that contrasts with the loud, electric energy of the concert stages he has photographed for decades.
Inside, the space feels like a small museum dedicated to rock and roll photography. Framed images of musicians line the walls, while shelves are filled with books about music and photography. In the middle of the living room, a professional backdrop and lighting setup stands ready for portrait sessions.
Steinfeldt walked through the house sharing stories behind many of the photographs — memories from concerts, backstage encounters and decades spent documenting music history. After the tour, we sat down and spoke for an hour about his career, the artists he has photographed and the upcoming exhibition.
A Career Born in the Minneapolis Music Scene
Steinfeldt’s journey into music photography began unexpectedly. As a teenager, he bought his first camera — a $100 Minolta — before taking a road trip across the United States.
“I photographed landscapes and monuments and just beautiful things,” he said. “When I got the pictures back from the lab, they were good. I realized, ‘Hey, I guess I’m good at this.’”
Soon after, he brought that same camera to a concert. Photographing performers in low light and constant motion proved challenging, but Steinfeldt quickly found the thrill irresistible.
“It was fun,” he said. “I kind of felt like I was part of the show.”
His career began to take shape in the early 1980s while living in Minneapolis, just as the city’s music scene was exploding.
“At that time, in large part because of Prince, record labels started to come to Minneapolis to see the talent,” Steinfeldt said. “I was there photographing all those bands.”
He photographed artists across genres, from the legendary Prince to influential artists such as Miles Davis to the Ramones.
“That was good timing,” he said. “I just happened to be in Minneapolis in the 1980s.”
Capturing Music History
Steinfeldt’s work soon began appearing in major publications. In 1985, he was published in both SPIN magazine and Rolling Stone, a milestone that helped launch his professional career.
“That really helped,” he said. “Then I could call publicists and managers and say, ‘It’s Jimmy Steinfeldt. Did you see my picture in Rolling Stone?’”
Some moments remain especially vivid in his memory. One of them came during a legendary night for Prince.
“I photographed him the night he recorded Purple Rain,” Steinfeldt said. “He looked right at me.”
Another unforgettable experience came when blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan allowed Steinfeldt to take a portrait backstage just months before the musician’s tragic death.
“He was standing all alone after the performance,” Steinfeldt recalled. “I walked over and asked if I could take a portrait, and he said yes.”
Steinfeldt also made a point early in his career to photograph legendary performers who came from earlier musical eras.
“I realized they weren’t going to be around much longer,” he said. “So when Cab Calloway came to town, I knew I better go photograph him.”
That mindset led him to photograph Frank Sinatra three times, including the singer’s Rat Pack reunion tour and his 80th birthday celebration.
The Art of Photographing Musicians
Although concert photography can appear spontaneous, Steinfeldt has developed a thoughtful process over the years.
“My favorite shot is medium — from the waist up,” he said. “But I also like full-length shots, and I really like to get the whole band.”
Unlike many photographers who focus only on the headliner, Steinfeldt always tried to capture every musician on stage.
“A lot of photographers will just photograph the star,” he said. “But I want the drummer and the bass player too.”
That decision turned out to be a wise one. Years later, musicians who once played in the background sometimes became famous in their own right.
“I always tried to get a picture of every member of the band,” he said.
Steinfeldt also looks for emotion in his images, often seeking moments of joy rather than the intense expressions common in rock photography.
“Frequently, I look for a smile,” he said. “I try to get a very flattering photo of my subject.”
Bringing Rock Photography to the Desert
Four years ago, Steinfeldt relocated to La Quinta, beginning a new chapter in his career. The move also planted the seeds for the Desert Rocks Music Photography exhibition.
“First off, I’m very proud of the name, Desert Rocks. I came up with that name,” he said.
The exhibition grew out of his friendship with fellow photographer Harry Langdon, who also lives nearby.
“I’ve now been here four years, and Harry Langdon has been here five or six years,” Steinfeldt said. “We’re neighbors right here in the La Quinta Cove.”
Steinfeldt said the idea for the show came naturally.
“I admire Harry, so I asked him if he would do a show with me, and he said ‘Yeah, let’s do a rock and roll photography exhibit.’”
The exhibition features images from both photographers, offering visitors a chance to experience two generations of music photography.
“They can expect to see really two different generations of photographers — Jimmy Steinfeldt and Harry Langdon,” he said.
Visitors will encounter both concert images and studio portraits capturing some of the most recognizable musicians in modern music history.
“They are going to see both concert photos and studio photography of these great musicians,” Steinfeldt said.
One wall of the gallery will be dedicated entirely to a pair of performers with deep ties to the desert.
“There’s one wall in our gallery — you’re going to see it right when you walk in — and it’s all about Frank Sinatra and Nancy Sinatra,” he said.
For Steinfeldt, the exhibition is also meant as an introduction to the local arts community.
“It’s a very good way to let the community know we’re here,” he said.
A Desert Community with Deep Musical Roots
Presenting Desert Rocks Music Photography in the Coachella Valley carries personal significance for Steinfeldt. After four years in La Quinta, he now considers the desert home — and he sees the region as an increasingly important part of the music world.
“It means a lot to me, because this is now my home,” he said.
While major music cities often dominate the conversation, Steinfeldt believes the desert has developed a fresh scene of its own.
“When people think of music cities, they think of Los Angeles, New York, Nashville or London,” he said. “But there’s been a tremendous explosion of musicians and bands here in the desert, and also venues to present them.”
That growth, he notes, includes the expansion of recording studios and the arrival of well-known artists relocating to the area.
“There are fantastic recording studios in Palm Springs that have opened in the last few years,” Steinfeldt said. “And many legendary musicians have recently moved to Palm Springs.”
Music has long had ties to the desert landscape as well. Generations of artists have visited, recorded or performed in the region — including some of the very musicians featured in Steinfeldt’s photographs.
“Musicians have been coming here forever, including Sinatra and Elvis Presley, and many others,” he said.
Documenting a Career in Books
After decades behind the camera, Steinfeldt has also turned his attention to documenting his work in print. About ten years ago, he decided it was time to revisit the vast archive of images he had accumulated throughout his career.
“I looked at my archive and said, ‘It’s time to do a book,’” he said.
The result was Rock ‘N’ Roll Lens: 30 Years of Photography and Stories, a coffee-table book featuring 50 photographs from his career, each accompanied by a story about the moment behind the image.
“I started out with about 200 photos, but it was just too big,” he said. “So I whittled it down to 50 photos that I thought were exceptional.”
Producing the book was a major undertaking. Steinfeldt even launched his own publishing company, Point Shoot Press, to bring the project to life.
“I started my own publishing company,” he said. “The book’s going to be around after I’m gone, so I wanted it to be really good.”
The finished book also includes handwritten contributions from some of the musicians featured in its pages.
“Slash from Guns N’ Roses wrote a piece, Slim Jim Phantom of the Stray Cats did the same, as did Tony Franklin and Chris Slade,” Steinfeldt said. “So when you buy my book, you sort of get an autograph from some famous people, including the great Slash with his top hat.”
After the first book was released, Steinfeldt decided to create a second, more affordable volume.
“My first book is a big coffee-table book that sells for $50,” he said. “Not everybody has $50.”
The second book is smaller, printed in black and white, and features a different concept: stories written by Steinfeldt’s friends and colleagues in the entertainment industry.
“I called everybody I know in show business and asked if they had a story about the musicians in the book,” he said. “I got 50 of my show business friends to write one story.”
Steinfeldt is currently working on a third book — this time focused not on music photography, but on cinema. The project explores the influence of legendary filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock through interviews with prominent directors.
“I’ve been interviewing directors about how they were influenced by Alfred Hitchcock,” he said. “I’ve interviewed Mel Brooks, Peter Bogdanovich, John Woo and Mark Rydell.”
The project is still in progress, and Steinfeldt hopes to add more filmmakers to the list.
“I still need to get to Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese,” he said. “But that’s a real fun project I’m working on.”
Advice for the Next Generation
Today, Steinfeldt is also eager to share what he has learned with younger photographers just starting out.
His first piece of advice is simple: always be ready to capture the moment.
“Your camera — never leave home without it,” he said. “And I don’t mean just this camera,” he added, holding up a smartphone. “This is okay, too. But try to bring a real camera wherever you can.”
Steinfeldt also encourages aspiring photographers to study the broader history of art.
“If you really want to make a career, study art history,” he said. “You don’t have to go to school, although art school or photography classes can help. But at least read books and study art history.”
Most importantly, he says, photographers must stay curious about the world around them.
“The main thing is get out of the house, get out in the world, and just keep taking pictures.”
Still Chasing the Next Photograph
Even after decades behind the camera, Steinfeldt continues to find inspiration in music — especially new artists.
“New bands inspire me,” he said. “I meet young musicians all the time, and I’m always excited to photograph their performances and their album covers.”
Looking back over his extensive archive — which he believes may be one of the largest private collections of music photography — Steinfeldt sees more than just a collection of images.
“I see history, art and my life story,” he said.
And when asked what he loves most about being a photographer, he reflected on the freedom it gives him.
“Well, it gives me freedom to express myself,” he said. “It keeps me young. It’s the one art that I found that I’m very good at, and I think everybody should have some artistic endeavor in their life.”
When asked if he discovered that passion early, he simply nodded. “Yeah, I did.”
Learn more about Jimmy Steinfeldt and his photography at www.jimmysteinfeldt.com
DESERT ROCKS: Music Photography
by Harry Langdon and Jimmy Stienfeldt
Presented in conjunction with Through the Lens Exhibition & Sale
Artists Council Gallery – Palm Desert
72567 Hwy 111 Palm Desert, CA
Opening: March 11-April 5