News, Personal

Jeff Findley : Photographer, Friend

The world of professional music photography is sadly now smaller. You will be missed brother.

Jeff Findley 10.22.67 – 11.02.09

I had the pleasure of meeting Jeff during Rocklahoma 2007. Following that meeting we established an online friendship in which Jeff mentored me as I committed my self to the world of professional music photography. With a quiet confidence and without arrogance Jeff freely shared his knowledge of the industry while giving feedback to my own work. During Rocklahoma 2008 I spent 4 12+ hour days shooting with Jeff and had the pleasure of getting to know the person. By the end of the festival, I felt I had known Jeff my entire life. Through the pit camaraderie, discussions of music, photography, and general life reminiscing… Jeff’s zest for life always shined through and made the experience that much better for everyone around.

I am a better person for having known you and a better shooter for having shot with you.

Thoughts and prayers to your friends and family.

Allen Ross Thomas is an Atlanta, Ga based music industry photographer available for concert, promotional, portrait, and editorial coverage for local bands, national tours, multi-day festivals, and international music events.

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9 Comments

• On 11.06.09 Mark Balogh said:
  

  Very sad but nice words Allen. RIP Jeff.

• On 11.08.09 Allen Ross Thomas said:
  

  Thanks Mark. Sad indeed. He will be missed.

• On 03.10.10 Erik Schwarz said:
  

  Allen,

  Thank you for the post.

  Jeff’s brother.
  Erik Schwarz

• On 10.09.11 Mike Chavarria said:
  

  Hey there Allen.. I just googled jeff name and your site came up.. I was friends with him for a few years.. In fact I have a rebel camera he sold me so he could upgrade. I also learned a lot from jeff as in getting into places that we shouldnt be without the right credentials. I went to numerous dodger games with him even got to shoot with him at the 2009 NAMM convention.. Well i just wanted to say thanks for the kind words…You can find me on facebook if your on there Temeku Photography..

  Mike Chavarria..

• On 10.09.11 Allen Ross Thomas said:
  

  Hi Mike -

  Thank you so much for reaching out. I still think of Jeff frequently and still struggle with his passing. Though I knew him only from shooting a few festivals together, we stayed in touch online regularly and I dearly miss those conversations. I know that he never met a stranger and to his close friends he must have truly been a blessing.

  -A

• On 10.12.11 Joey Catherine said:
  

  I searched Jeff’s name and found your site also. I also struggle with the fact that he is gone. Jeff and I were the best of friends back in the 90′s. I moved out of state and we ended up losing touch. I had found him again just a couple of months before he passed. I’m still mad at myself that I kept putting off calling him….because when I did, he was gone. I’m thankful we were able to reconnect and catch up some what through email, but will always regret not calling him. When they made Jeff, they broke the mold….he was such an awesome friend. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about him. But I feel blessed that I did have him in my life for the time that I did. It’s coming up on two years and it still feels like we lost him only yesterday. I read how you met and became friends and that was totally Jeff…he was a one of a kind friend.

• On 10.14.11 Allen Ross Thomas said:
  

  Thank you Joey. Sometimes it seems there are not enough “good guys” out there. When you meet one, it is encouraging and reassuring. Somehow, and often unfortunately, it takes a sad event to bring us together. Jeff would have liked that we are finding each other and making new connections from the touching of us all he left behind.

  -A

• On 10.22.11 Joey Catherine said:
  

  Happy Birthday Jeff…you would have been 44 today. Miss you more every day but I know you are smiling down on us all. I know we will meet up again one day…

• On 10.22.11 Joe Miller said:
  

  Happy Birthday! I miss you every day bro

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