Behind the Lens with Rock N’ Roll Photographer Bahram Foroughi

We return to our Behind the Lens series with photographer Bahram Foroughi. A political refugee from Iran, Bahram went from the Middle East to New York City, from the gritty photo studios of the East Village to the high-tech halls of Apple, Inc. before discovering the Hudson Valley. It was in Woodstock that Bahram truly found his creative rhythm. Now a music photographer at the legendary Bearsville Theater, Bahram is less interested in capturing polished, staged perfection and more obsessed with the “sensory” grit of a live show—the kind of raw, cinematic moments you can’t plan, only catch.

In our exclusive interview with Bahram, we talk about his serpentine path from NYC photojournalism to the Woodstock music scene, his work with indie filmmakers, and why he’s traded the city hustle for the unique light and creative community of the Catskills.

INSIDE+OUT: Where are you originally from, and how did you wind up in the Hudson Valley?

Bahram Foroughi: I was born in Iran and became a political refugee in 1979 as a child during the Iranian Revolution, when my life and my family’s future changed overnight.

In 2005, my wife and I moved to the Hudson Valley, where we opened an art gallery in Woodstock and ran it for nearly six years. We came here because of the vibrant art scene.  My wife is a jewelry designer, so it seemed like a perfect fit for her to work in such a creative space. That chapter was deeply creative and formative for both of us. Eventually, we returned to New York City, but the Hudson Valley stayed close to our hearts.

In 2017, we finally listened to our hearts and moved back upstate, enrolled our son in school, and made a true commitment to the area.

What inspired you to become a photographer, and what was your journey?

Bahram Foroughi: I moved to New York City in 1997 and started working at a small photo studio in the East Village, on 10th Street and Avenue A. That’s where everything changed for me. Something about being around images, watching moments get captured and preserved, it just clicked. I caught the photography bug and never let it go.

From there, I followed that instinct wherever it led. I started freelancing, eventually shooting for The New York Times and The Associated Press, and even found myself on the campaign trail during a U.S. Senate race in 2001. It was fast, unpredictable, and real, and it taught me how to trust my eye and react to the moment.

In 2003, I joined Apple and was part of the launch of Aperture. Aperture was Apples first foray into professional photography software. That experience put me in the orbit of some of the most respected photographers in the world. Being around that level of talent was both humbling and inspiring, it pushed me to see photography not just as a job, but as a calling.

In 2012, everything came full circle when I had the opportunity to cover Bonnaroo for Entertainment Weekly. Standing there, surrounded by music, energy, and emotion, I felt that same spark I had back in the East Village, but amplified. It was one of those moments where you just know. From that point on, I committed to focusing on music photography, capturing not just how it looks, but how it feels.

You work at the intersection of live music and film. Could you share more about this and your connection to lens and music?

Bahram Foroughi: I kind of landed in it naturally. I came up shooting in the city when things were still a little rough around the edges, and live music was always part of that world—small venues, bad lighting, loud rooms, no separation between you and the artist. I was never interested in polished, staged moments. I wanted what was real.

That mindset is what puts me at the intersection of live music and film. I’m drawn to moments that feel like they belong in a movie—but aren’t staged. Real light, real tension, real emotion. The kind of moments you can’t plan, only catch.

My connection to music is pretty simple; it’s about energy and honesty. When it’s real, you feel it immediately. That’s what I’m always chasing.

As a photographer, what is the message you wish to convey, and how do you choose a body of work or subject matter to focus on?

Bahram Foroughi: I don’t really think in terms of a single message. For me, it’s about capturing something true, something that feels the way it actually was in that moment. That’s what drew me into working with filmmaker Larry Fessenden. Larry’s films live in that space where things aren’t over-polished or forced; they feel human, a little raw, sometimes uncomfortable, but real.

Being around that kind of filmmaking reinforced how I see things as a photographer. I’m drawn to moments that have tension, where something’s just beneath the surface. It’s not about perfection, it’s about truth. Whether it’s on a film set or in a live music environment, I’m looking for that same thing: a moment that feels like it could fall apart or come alive at any second.

Choosing a body of work isn’t calculated for me; it grows from the moments I’m drawn to. For the past two years, I’ve been the house photographer at the Bearsville Theatre with Pete Shapiro and his wonderful team. I’ve come to see myself as a sort of historian of music in Woodstock. Being there night after night, I capture the energy, the spirit, and the fleeting moments that make each performance unique. Over time, those moments build into a body of work that tells the story of this place and its music.

You describe your work as being rooted in sensory experience. What does this mean for you and for those who experience your work?

Bahram Foroughi: When I say my work is rooted in sensory experience, it comes from how I was trained to see as a photojournalist. You learn pretty quickly that it’s not just about what’s in the frame, it’s about what’s happening in the moment. The mood, the tension, the noise, the things you can’t stage or recreate.

For me, it’s instinct. You’re reading a situation in real time, watching light, body language, small shifts, and reacting before it disappears. Those are the moments that carry weight, the ones that feel real because they are.

For someone looking at the work, I want it to feel immediate. Like you’re not just seeing an image, you’re stepping into it. You can sense what was happening just outside the frame, the sound, the movement, the atmosphere, the smell. That’s the goal, images for your senses.

What projects or collaborations are you currently working on? Any shows coming up we need to know about?

Bahram Foroughi: I’m currently developing a slate of music video projects.  Over the past year, I’ve had the opportunity to film, direct, and edit videos for Maggie Rose and Amanda Palmer, working closely with Pete Caigan at Utopia Studios in the Bearsville Complex.

Looking ahead, I’m especially excited about the upcoming shows at Bearsville Theater, including They Might Be Giants and The Afghan Whigs this April. There’s something unique about documenting performances in that space.

The highlight of the summer for me is always the Follow the Arrow Festival in late June. I’ve been covering it for years, and Marco Benevento really knows how to throw a party. It’s such a fun day, set at the beautiful Griffin House, with some truly amazing performances. It’s a celebration of friendship, community, and music, deep in the Catskill Mountains.

What makes living in the Hudson Valley special for you?

Bahram Foroughi: What makes living in the Hudson Valley special for me is the balance you don’t really find anywhere else. There’s a real sense of community here; the people are creative, grounded, and supportive in a way that feels genuine, not forced. You run into musicians, artists and filmmakers, all just living their lives, and it creates this quiet, constant exchange of ideas.

Music is a big part of it, too. There’s something about seeing live music up here that feels more intimate, more connected. It’s not about scale, it’s about presence, you actually feel like you’re part of it.

And then there’s nature. The light up here is different. The space, the seasons, the stillness, it slows you down just enough to really see things. For me, that combination of people, music, and environment keeps me grounded and keeps me inspired.

Tell us about the music scene in Upstate NY. Which artist inspires you the most?

Bahram Foroughi: That’s a tough one, because there’s so much talent up here and a lot of it flies just under the radar. But if I had to point to someone, Levon Helm really stands out.

What he built in Woodstock wasn’t just about the music; it was about community. The Midnight Rambles weren’t polished industry events; they were raw, intimate, and rooted in the room. That kind of honesty and connection is something I relate to a lot in my own work. It’s not about spectacle, it’s about feel. And you see that same spirit carried forward by Amy Helm and the wonderful team at The Barn. She’s kept that sense of community alive while making it her own. There’s a warmth and authenticity to what she does that feels very Hudson Valley. It’s not trying to be anything other than what it is, and that comes through in the music and the people she brings together. That through-line, real music, real connection, no pretense, that’s what I admire most.

Local Love: What local business should we know about?

Bahram Foroughi: I’m sure it’s probably been mentioned, but Tinker Street Bites is one of my favorites—Alex is putting out some of the best food in the area, consistently.

Beyond that, what really stands out here is the depth of independent artists and small businesses. There’s a real commitment to local work, whether it’s galleries, pop-ups, or events like Hullabaloo. That mix of food, art, and community is what makes the Hudson Valley feel like a true creative hub.

What is missing in the area that you wish we had?

Bahram Foroughi: I’d say Persian food is probably the one thing I really miss up here. That said, Brushland Eating House has been doing these monthly Persian feasts, and they’re incredible. It’s not something you find every day, but when they do it, it’s the real deal, absolutely worth the trip.

Who or what inspires you personally?

Bahram Foroughi: I’m inspired by photographers who aren’t afraid to confront the harder truths of the world, people like James Nachtwey and Lynsey Addario. Their work doesn’t look away. It captures the reality of what’s happening, even when it’s uncomfortable, and does it with a level of honesty and humanity that really stays with you. That kind of commitment, to documenting what’s real, not what’s easy, is something I connect with deeply.

Also my son. He was born up here, raised in the East Village and spent his last two years of High School up here.  He inspires me to be the person I am today and everyday.

Tell us something about yourself that people would be surprised to know.

Bahram Foroughi: I’m a first responder and volunteer with the Woodstock Rescue Squad, and I previously served as a firefighter in Olive for six years. That experience gave me a real understanding of the challenges first responders face, especially when it comes to dealing with PTSD.

I’m currently working on launching a nonprofit that teaches first responders how to fly fish as a way to manage that stress. It’s something I care deeply about, creating space for people who are constantly operating in high-pressure environments to slow down, reset, and find a sense of calm and balance in nature.

What do you do for fun? What are some of your favorite ways to unwind and unplug when you are not in the shop or taking photos?

Bahram Foroughi: Motorcycling is my version of zen. It’s one of the few things that completely clears my head, you’re focused in, present, and everything else just falls away. That’s how I reset and unplug when I’m not shooting. On the colder days when riding isn’t an option, I’ve been getting into ceramics. It’s a different kind of focus, but it has that same grounding effect.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

Bahram Foroughi: Invincibility, duh 🙂

What is your current state of mind?

Bahram Foroughi: My state of mind right now is grounded in presence and honesty, both in how I live and how I create. Growing up in Iran and coming to the U.S. as a political refugee gave me a heightened awareness of how fragile things can be. That perspective stays with me. It keeps me focused on what’s real and meaningful, and it pushes me not to take moments for granted.

That mindset shapes my work. I’m drawn to authenticity in the in-between moments, the raw energy of a performance, the feeling in a room when something genuine is happening. I’m not chasing perfection, I’m chasing truth.

Music, especially, reminds me why that matters. It cuts through everything—background, language, division—and creates a shared experience. In a time when so much feels fractured, those moments of connection feel essential. That’s what I’m trying to capture: something honest, something human, something that resonates beyond the surface.

Photos by @bahramforoughiphotography

Featured Photo: Catbird and The Lumineers

Follow/Connect with Bahram Foroughi via Website | Instagram

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