JODY & SHANNON WILK – IT’S A FAMILY AFFAIR
Both Jody Wilk and his daughter Shannon are no strangers to the Ct. music scene. Jody has been shooting national and local bands for years. Even though Shannon is still in her teens, she has been a mainstay in the photographer’s pit for quite awhile. Not only are Shannon’s photos first rate but she is also a journalist and podcaster. She even wrote a feature for AMP. She edits her own publication, Rockin’ Interviews and she interviews major players on her podcasts. On top of all that, she is also a musician. Not to shabby for a woman not even 20.
Jody‘s company is Moltenmental Photos. Just this past year, he has shot over 75 artists and bands including those on the Monsters of Rock Cruise. His portfolio includes Lizzy Borden, Black Stone Cherry, Godsmack, Rancid and Greta Van Fleet just to name a few. Jody’s notoriety as an on-point photographer is extremely well known. Beyond that he is also a great person and an amazing family man.
Like her father, Shannon has had a bountiful year in the pit. Even at her young age, she is sought after to shoot both national acts and local upstarts. Her shots have graced numerous publications and her interview style is well honed. Her interviewees enjoy her easy demeanor and incandescent personality. Shannon is that shining light that will hopefully burn forever..
Jody and Shannon have given AMP this really cool interview. Hope you enjoy.
AMP: How does it feel to have such a common interest as a family?
JODY: It is awesome for me to have music and photography in common with Shannon. I went to college for photography but ended up starting my own landscape company. Regrettably, I really lost touch with it for a long time. I took photos at local rock shows during high school and college and was always into music. Mostly heavy metal.
Fast forward to 2018 when we decided to go on The Monsters Of Rock Cruise. Shannon had just started playing guitar and had just started her Rockin’ Interviews. I brought my camera and was taking photos from the crowd. This is when I regained my love of photography. Shortly after the cruise is when Shannon picked up on photography and we have been doing it together ever since. My wife, April is our logistics coordinator and chaperone. A family that rocks together, stays together.
SHANNON: It definitely makes it a lot easier to learn and grow together rather than learning on my own. Also with me being so young, it would be difficult to do it without the support of my family.
AMP: Jody, Shannon is still in her teens. How proud are you of her accomplishments?
JODY: Her accomplishments are way beyond what I could have hoped for. I don’t know of any other child that at age 11, says I want to interview rock artists so when I become good enough at playing, I will have contacts in the music industry. She has interviewed over100 artists to date and photographed hundreds of bands. All the while keeping high honors in school. So, to say the least, I’m a proud father.
AMP: Shannon, how influential was it having your father so involved in music?
SHANNON: Having my dad involved in music is great. It’s awesome that we have a mutual interest and are able to do things together like shooting shows.
AMP: What do you feel is your best photo shoot to date?
JODY: Ok, this is a hard question. To say one is better than another is hard. Any photo shoot that we leave the pit smiling ear to ear is a good shoot. I would say my most memorable photo shoot from 2021 was Dropkick Murphys and Rancid at the brand new amphitheater in Bridgeport. There was a flash flood warning with 6+ inches of rain expected.
The roof at the Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater wasn’t fully completed. The show started early due the impeding storm. It was raining during Rancid but by the time DKM hit the stage it was raining sideways into the venue including the photo pit and stage. The photos came out great with the pouring rain in many of the shots. They shut the show down early due to the thunderstorms closing in.
SHANNON: For me, it would be anything on the Monsters of Rock Cruise. The group of photographers on the media team were the absolute sweetest, most supportive, kindest people and getting to be surrounded by them was nothing short of amazing. Besides that, I’d have to say photographing Greta Van Fleet. Oftentimes there aren’t very many female photographers in the pit. That show was full of very talented female photographers. It was a great feeling.
AMP: Shannon, you are a photographer, music journalist, podcaster and musician. Which give you the most satisfaction?
SHANNON: Wow, that’s difficult. I’d say it changes often but right now being a musician is what is most fulfilling, I love music photography so much and I will continue to do that for years and years to come, I don’t feel like my future lies in music journalism but I will continue to work on it until I don’t feel passionate about it anymore. Overall, I think my well rounded endeavors in the music industry will only benefit me in my future career.
AMP: Are there any feelings of competition between the two of you?
JODY: For me, I would say no. It’s always fun to see how Shannon’s photos come out. Usually we try to start at opposite sides of the stage to get different images but sometimes we can be standing right next to each other in the pit and get completely different views.
SHANNON: I don’t feel any competition, no. We are both very much our own person with our own goals when it comes to our careers. So, personally I don’t believe there is any competition between us two.
AMP: If you could pick any band or artist, past or present, to photograph, who would it be?
JODY: Well, Kiss would be the band I would want to photograph. We both were approved to shoot our local show but the show was rescheduled for October, 2022. I would have liked to have shot Metallica in the late 80s/early 90s. Really any band that is high energy is fun to photograph.
SHANNON: I’d have to say Motley Crue, Aerosmith and Guns N’ Roses if I may pick three. Those were the three bands that made me fall in love with rock music and it would be a dream come true to work with them.
AMP: How many publications have showcased your photographs?
JODY: I photograph for several online magazine (including AMP). Not sure if I had any in a printed magazine. I think a few newspapers and I’ve had photos used for guitar picks and one used on a billboard. That was pretty cool.
SHANNON: I’ve worked for four different publications since I started including my own, Rockin’ Interviews. While I have only worked with those four publications, my photos and interviews have been featured in many other media outlets such as Blabbermouth, Guitar World and more.
AMP: Shannon, any words of advice for young ladies who would like to follow in your footsteps?
SHANNON: Go for it! Don’t be afraid to get out there and do what you feel passionate about whether it be music or what have you. Be bold and don’t take shit from anyone!
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To learn more about Jody Wilk : Check out his Website
Follow: Facebook
To learn more about Shannon Wilk :
Follow: Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / shannonwilkmusic / rockininterviews
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