The Fazes and Cumgirl8 in Focus: Photo Showcase & Exclusive Interview with Rob Lechner (Foggy)
Meet Rob Lechner, aka Foggy, a 26-year-old photographer hailing from Wayne, New Jersey. From live music stages to cluttered street corners and skate parks, Rob’s lens captures the world’s raw, unscripted moments. In this article, we will be showcasing the photos he took at the Cumgirl8 concert that happened in October of this year, which took place at The Casbah in San Diego, California. Along with this photo showcase, we sat down to talk about his journey into photography, his influences, and what drives him to create.
WHEN DID YOU GET INTO PHOTOGRAPHY?
"I was in my sophomore year of high school, so around 14 or 15."
ARE THERE ANY PHOTOGRAPHERS OR ARTISTS WHO HAVE INFLUENCED YOUR WORK OR STYLE?
"Atiba Jefferson and Jeremy Paige."
HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHETHER AN IMAGE IS COMPLETE OR NEEDS FURTHER EDITING?
"A photo is complete once taken."
WHAT WAS IT LIKE SHOOTING PHOTOS FOR CUMGIRL8 AND THE FAZES?
"It was a fun show, and both bands had great stage presence. Just wish Casbah had better lighting."
DO YOU PREFER LIVE MUSIC PHOTOGRAPHY MORE THAN OTHER FORMS OF PHOTOGRAPHY?
"I kinda fell into concert photography, which I love, but my true favorite thing to shoot is street photography in unusual, sometimes hazardous places. I’m also a huge fan of skate photography."
WHAT DO YOU HOPE PEOPLE FEEL OR TAKE AWAY WHEN THEY SEE YOUR PHOTOS?
"I just want to share what I see. I always felt when I was young in NYC, weird things would find me, and I would always want to share those moments. I just hope people can see things they usually might not see."
DO YOU THINK PHOTOGRAPHY HAS THE POWER TO CREATE CHANGE OR TELL STORIES IN WAYS OTHER ART FORMS CAN’T?
"Yes, for instance, I shot the riots in 2020, and I’m grateful I can show the unfiltered things that went down during a very chaotic time in history. Without photographs and videography, history would be harder to comprehend and learn from."
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE JUST STARTING OUT IN PHOTOGRAPHY?
"'Shoot, shoot, shoot' is what my teachers always said. Also, gear is not important."
Rob’s passion for photography is rooted in his desire to share the overlooked, the chaotic, and the beautiful. Whether documenting history, live performances, or fleeting moments on the street, his work invites us to see the world through his eyes. As he puts it, the key to photography is simple: “Shoot, shoot, shoot.”