Photography Hunt: Aaron Stern

By Jauretsi

Aaron Stern is an interdisciplinary artist who produces several high-profile events all over the world in music, film, and art. Moreover, his real passion and gift is photography, which he always indulges in during his fabulous events, be it backstage at fashion week or a cool music festival. Aaron released a photo book in collaboration with Designers Shipley & Halmos entitled Everyone Must Be Announced. There’s 5 books currently available on eBay so grab them while they’re hot. His latest collaboration is capturing Rebecca Minkoff’s current collection.  

What is Aaron’s preferred method? A medium format and 35mm film. His website, amediumformat.com, corroborates this with snapshots of Lykki Li backstage to Alexa Chung messin’ around with her friends. I was curious about Aaron’s arsenal of equipment and how he captures his photos. He was kind enough to share his online tips for building a photography bag. Aspiring students, take note:

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Q: Tell us about your eBay hunting… and your relationship with the site when finding your treasures online.

A: I like reading the comments people write, but also about the people they buy from.

Q: What is your favorite lens or camera part you would recommend searching on eBay?

A: My Leica 50mm Summilux F/1.4. I found this lens for a steal online and it was one of my first that I bought.

Q: I know you have photographed numerous events from concerts to events to celebrity portrait work. What is the dearest type of genre to you, and what were your most memorable moments in your career?

A: I think portraits are the most enjoyable. But what I find most interesting are candid images before and after a concert backstage or of the performer. I’d like to do the same for films as well.

Q: For all budding photographers, what is a top lens you’d recommend now?

A: If you want to shoot film, I’d say a Contax G1 or G2 with a 35mm Zeiss lens, the 45mm is great also.  

Q: What is your favorite find on eBay?

A: I bought a Gus Van Sant photo book at Dashwood called One Step Big Shot which made me want to buy a Polaroid Big Shot. I found and bought that camera on eBay for $40.  

Also in the last month, I bought this Contax TVSiii.  It is a great 35mm point and shoot. I had an Olympus Stylus that I’ve been wanting to replace since it was stolen out of a tour bus last year.  I lost my 120 back and the dark slide for my 220 back at Lollapalooza a few years ago.  So that is two - a Hasselblad dark slide and a 120 back.  I looked at a lot of places in NY and could not find either at a decent price. Found both online though. They stopped making them I suppose, or at least nobody carries 220 film anymore.  A Contax TLA 200 flash and a Contax G1 with a Zeiss f/2 35MM lens.  All three I love to shoot with.

Q: What is next on your plate for work and what can we expect to see from you?

A: I have really enjoyed shooting fashion. It is something I have recently started doing over the last year or so and it is a nice change.  Hoping to continue to do more of that.  

(Photo Credit: Aaron Stern)