Entrevista: Travis Schneider (English)

Click HERE to read this interview in Portuguese

The official photographer of Maroon 5, Travis Schneider, gave an exclusive interview to Maroon 5 Brazil. In a nice mood, Travis told us more about his career, the band, how was the experience to photograph in our country and more.

It was a pleasure for us! Thanks Travis for the opportunity!

1. What inspired you into becoming a photographer?
– My older brother Chapman Baehler is a photographer who started by shooting surfers in Hawaii and then moved to L.A. and started shooting bands, so growing up seeing his photos was very influential in determining my path. Ultimately though, I started shooting so I could get into shows for free and have the best seat in the house.

2. How did you start working with Maroon 5?
– I was working with Phantom Planet during the making of their album “Raise The Dead”, which was about a 4 year process. I saw the M5 guys often throughout that entire time, so we all became familiar with each other. Thankfully, by the end of the recording, PP shared the same manager as M5, so when they decided not to continue on as a band any longer, their manager started sending me out with M5.

3. How does the band act in a photo session?
– The band is very professional in photo sessions, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t any shortage of goofing off and uncontrolable laughter. They’ve had their fair share of photo shoots so they definitely know what “works” and how to make it a speedy and painless process. I always look forward to shooting photos of them.

4. Do you have a favorite photo? If so, which one and why?
– Any photo of my mom and dad together is my favorite photo. I’m pathetically sentimental and completely taken by any sense of kindred history.

5. Do you have any internal jokes or nicknames?
-The nickname that has stuck since I was in high school is Boots Wallace, and it’s a very long story. One of my best friends started calling me “Tex” long ago and has continued to do so to this day. He’s the only one.

6. Is there an specific type of camera that you prefer to use?
-My dad gave me a very old 35mm Minolta camera that he had when he was my age and that’s what I learned to shoot on for the most part. Whenever I have the opportunity to shoot film, I love running a few rolls through it. I’m not sure if it’s all for sentimental reasons, but I feel like the pictures that come out of it have a magic to them that I’ve never been able to capture with any other camera, film or digital.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umtlAZQ4mmk

7. You also directed the music video for “Out Of Goodbyes”, in 2010. How was the experience?
– Directing the “Out Of Goodbyes” video was a very surreal experience. I went from shooting “behind the scenes” on Maroon 5 music videos to making my very own Maroon 5 music video, so I was probably in a bit of shock during the entire shoot. There was a great deal of planning that went into it over a period of a month or so, so I never let myself get excited about it until I actually walked onto set that day and there everything was the way I had envisioned it. Working with Dwight Yoakam was a lot of fun as well. He has a great wealth of knowledge about old western films and music videos. During the pre-production process Dwight would call late at night and say “Go pick up ‘McCabe & Mrs. Miller’ with Warren Beatty and Julie Christie and let me know what you think of his character. You gotta watch this great old Gary Cooper western called ‘Vera Cruz’ and also re-watch ‘The Wild Bunch’, etc.etc.” It was endless, his excitement about everything helped make it a wonderful process. We had a few fun meetings that went hours passed when they were supposed to end. He’s a good guy and it was amazing to hear his voice singing along to the song on set. He sounded incredible. Diora Baird is the girl in the video and she was an absolute delight to work with. Super professional and filled with ideas. She also has an amazing sense of humor, which is always welcomed on a stressful set.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGPKngU3OsY

8.You came to Brazil with the band during the Overexposed Tour and the Rock In Rio concert. What were your impressions of our country and the fans?
I had an amazing time in Brazil while we were there for Rock In Rio. The country is beautiful and full of life and culture. The entire experience felt like a dream. I could never stop staring out the window to take in the skyline and the fans are some of the most enthusiastic fans that the band has anywhere. It’s the loudest crowd I’ve ever been in front of, singing along to every word. The band felt so incredibly loved and welcomed, I can’t wait to go back.

9. In your opinion, which are the pros and cons of being a band photographer?
– The pros are being able to watch the band from just about anywhere you wish. You learn so much about the process of writing, recording and performing music, it goes beyond anything any school could teach. The only con that I can think of is when I have the desire to pick up a guitar but I have to keep holding onto the camera.

10. What was the best moment you had as a photographer so far?
– The shoot that I did in the winter with M5 on Lake Geneva during the recording of the “Hands All Over” album. I feel like it may have been the first time I had a “proper photo shoot” with the band and they could not have been cooler. The scenery was beyond stunning and it’s the most fun I’ve ever had taking pictures. It’s a great memory.

11. You also sing and play guitar in the band “The Damn Sons”. How did it start? Do you have any plans of releasing an album?
– The Damn Sons started when the drummer I played with growing up (6th grade-12th grade), finished college in Boston and moved to Los Angeles so we could start playing music again. We scrapped all of our old songs and started writing new ones. We had a revolving door of bass players for a while who all contributed priceless things to the band and continue to do so. There are no set plans right now for a full length album, however it’s something we absolutely will do. The next step at the moment is recording a two song 7″ record and a three song EP.