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I am the most published early punk rock photographer on the West Coast. ~ Jenny Lens, MFA.
Welcome! Glad You Are Here! Stay Awhile and Have Fun!
Lots of goodies for you! You can tap/scroll to see photos and stories, but first … check out my great deals.
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Want to see photos? Hover over Buy Photo Prints on my menu or click three black lines on mobile device. Dive in and explore this page cos lots of links. If questions, drop me a line.
NEW AFFILIATE PROGRAM. When YOU share my links, and people click on YOUR links and buy something, YOU MAKE MONEY!
IF you are a Member of My Private Punk Pioneers Podcast and Photo Club, you make even more money!
Just fill out the Affiliate Application. If you love posting punk stuff online, you’re in! I’ll post details ASAP.
So effin’ easy! I posted step-by-step how-to.
Buy Museum Quality, Archival Photos
Signed, Unsigned, 8 x 10, 11 x 14, 16 x 20 and some can be larger. See Print FAQs about paper, shipping and other questions people often ask me.
Major stars and international collectors from all every strata of society collect my photos. You can too! Great gifts too! No watermarks on prints.
Buy 78 Rare Punk Mini-Prints, Special Collector’s Portfolio, Limited Edition!
NEW and Improved! Last seen in 2014. Now 78 for same price as 60 in the past! Limited Edition! No watermarks on prints.
Examples of the 78 Rare Punk Mini-Prints, Special Collector’s Portfolio, Limited Edition. (That’s a mouthful! These are sturdier than regular prints. So easy to hold and view and enjoy!)
Buy Punk Collage Prints, 12×18
These unique, limited edition 12 x 18 inch poster sized, archival, museum quality photo prints make great gifts for yourself or others.
Some images available as single prints. But most are ONLY available in collage prints. No watermarks on prints.
When you can’t decide which photo to get, choose a collage!
Join The Punk Pioneers Podcast and Photos Private Club!
Great Gift for You and others: Affordable, No Shipping, and very Unique!
Hear True Tall Tales of Early Punk. See Rare Photos and Narrated Vids of Photos To Prove It!
Don’t be left behind, believing all kinds of distortions about early punk. Or playing guessing games. Get the True Fun Facts!
It’s All Happening in the coolest place online.
“The infamous Jenny Lens, supreme master of the punk rock photo.”
~ San Francisco Bay Guardian [And straight up rock too!]
“The was a time when Punk Rock was dangerous, man — in a cerebral way. And Jenny Lens was there to record it all.”
~ Garage Magazine “Jenny Lens was not just one of the few photographers chronicling the early punk scene in both North America and London, she was also one of the few women working in a very male-dominated field. Her life is pretty fascinating and made up of the three acts usually associated with characters in movies and novels.” Adorama Camera.
“How to Look Punk” in 1977 Hollywood on Lethal Amounts gallery and site magazine.
The following taken from their article, which included many of my photos and quotes from various sources:
“How To Look Punk” exclusively features photos by Jenny Lens, the premier photographer of the first wave of Los Angeles punk rock.
Lens, who shot from 1976-1980, knew how important it was to document the revolutionary fashions that were taking Hollywood Blvd by storm. She was there from literally beginning to end, and her work is the most crucial link in preserving the visual history and fashions of this era.
“I often photographed people based on their creative clothes, dancing, love of partying and posing, in a time when this was rare. The fans who migrated to the Hollywood shows often were colorful, vintage clothes from thrift stores or something they created themselves.” — Jenny Lens, an excerpt from her website, Punk Pioneers.
More fabulous photos of 1977 Hollywood punk style can be found in a lecture posted on YouTube by Jenny Lens, accompanied by a commentary slideshow. Mandatory viewing for anyone thirsty for knowledge about where this fashion came from and the characters that put it on the map.
Tap or Click to Buy Museum Quality Prints of World Famous Museum Quality Photos!
After this text, you’ll see highlights, a tiny fraction of my most famous photos of very famous performers.
You can see and read more on my Buy Photo Prints page.
IF you want to learn from the best, or be photographed by the best, check out My Services page. I love to share secrets about photography, the business, marketing, and offer coaching too.
I took photos and conducted photo tours until the pandemic changed a lot of things. Read what I can still offer. Let’s make it work for you!
Clash are in Rock Hall of Fame. I was so honored so many of my photos in this fine book! Plus a special credit. Lots of photographers in this book and they chose to give ME “A Very Special Thank You”! Wow!
Rhino Records (and other record companies) used tons of my images for their punk releases. One of my most famous of my fave band, X. March, 1980.
Wanna hear stories behind these photos? See more and larger photos?
Join the Punk Pioneers Podcast and Photos Club
YOU keep asking me so many questions. I keep emailing and posting. And more keep asking me to repeat stuff over and over again. NOW you can easily find out more than you ever imagined, in one easy to use site! Plus I can Tell True Tall Tales no one has heard! Photos rarely seen or never! More good stuff now! I posted member-only exclusive audio, photos, video and text of Blondie, Fashion, Germs, Go-Go’s, the Masque, Ramones, the Screamers, X, lots of punk history and so much more to come! IF you join us! Long-ago promised Clash stories and photos. Tech held me back. But I pushed forward JUST FOR YOU!Wanna know more about this private club? Click here.
My acclaimed book, “Punk Pioneers” from major art publisher, Rizzoli/Universe.
So many copies were stolen from Los Angeles Library downtown LA branch. So they moved it to the Reference Department. Cannot check it out! Now that’s punk.
My Punk Pioneers cover, Debbie Harry, Blondie’s LA debut, the Whisky, Feb 1977. (in Rock Hall of Fame)
One of many magazine listings. This when Punk Pioneers was published. I’ve been interviewed many times through the years.
My photo graced Spin Magazine‘s obit when Dee Dee Ramone passed away. Dee Dee was one of THE sweetest people I ever met. We hung together during the Ramones first West Coast tour, August 1976. (in Rock Hall of Fame)
My photo graced Spin Magazine‘s obit when Joey Ramone passed away. I was asked to drive Joey, Arturo Vega (who designed Ramones graphics and merch) and Tomata du Plenty (lead singer of the Screamers, not yet performing) to Little Tokyo in LA. I saw this Kamen Rider standing on the sidewalk. I asked Joey to pose. Good times. Ramones second West Coast tour, Feb 1977. (in Rock Hall of Fame)
My photo graced Spin Magazine‘s opening image for last Johnny Ramone interview. I photographed him in San Francisco during the first Ramones West Coast tour, August 1976. (in Rock Hall of Fame)
I photographed Joey Ramone in “a seedy hotel off Van Ness” in San Francisco during the Ramones first West Coast tour, August, 1976. (in Rock Hall of Fame)
This photo was supposed to be in the Clash Official Book. Oops, I forgot to send it in. Sometimes I get depressed. hard doing this all alone, in debt. But The Clash! were AMAZING live! 16 Tons Tour, England, June 1980.
HUGE honor when MY photo of legendary icon, Alice Bag, was used in a travelling Smithsonian exhibit!! WOW!
Patti Smith called me “the girl with the camera eye.” Shouted from LA’s Roxy stage, pointing to me, Nov 15, 1976.
Patti told me “She still dares other photographers to take better photos than I.” The Roxy, August 2002. (in Rock Hall of Fame)
Iggy Pop told me my photos were as good as his photographer. He asked me where I’d been. I said, “Earning art degrees.” He smiled and nodded. I learned from artists. (in Rock Hall of Fame)
Punk Pioneers Podcast and Photos Private Club
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So simple! You can listen to audio or look at images or video using any device with an online connection or wifi!
Photos appear larger on most tablets, laptop or computer monitor. But if you prefer a phone, that works too!
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Just a few of my cool punk pals, backstage, the Whisky, March 5, 1978. All became famous for performing, writing, hair stylist and one Oscar nominated Art Director!
My early Go-Go’s photo and many more in recent Showtime documentary on the Go-Go’s. Plus Under the Big Black Sun, Belinda’s memoir, Lips Unsealed, and more books. Another image on The View too! March 1980.
MY PHOTO of LA’s Screamers used for Metropolitan Museum of Art FASHION GALA! Punk: From Chaos to Couture! Centerfold of their hard cover exhibit catalog! May 28, 1977.
My Joan Jett photos were shown onstage when she was inducted into Rock Hall of Fame. Here’s just one in her solo book. Joan always had her own sense of style. With Johnny Rotten, Whisky, March 9, 1978. (Both are in Rock Hall of Fame)
Dueling Guitars, Joan Jett and Lita Ford, the Runaways, Whisky, August 27, 1977. One of my most popular, beloved and world famous photos. (Joan is in Rock Hall of Fame)
I love this Blondie at American Bandstand image because you rarely see behind the scenes photos. These fashions might look every day normal. But June 4, 1979, people did not dress like Blondie! All the members were fashion-forward. (in Rock Hall of Fame)
Jenny Lens In Action
I’ve always been camera shy, but so glad there’s a few images of myself! I painted my face as if I were Fauve (“Wild Beast”) Matisse on acid.
I made most of my jewelry and some of my clothes. Hollywood punks were a rough crowd. Amazing I got out alive! Gotta be made of strong stuff to survive. But it takes money and time and energy to do all I did then and continue to do.
100% DIY.
There’s more on my About Jenny Lens page.
But … IF you want to hear and read True Tall Tales with Photos (and some vids), you’ll become a Member of the Punk Pioneers Podcast and Photos Club NOW!
You’ll be glad you took that wonderful step to great adventures!!
Mary Rat, Jenny Lens, Hellin Killer. We were at the farewell party for Farrah Faucet-Minors aka “She Had to Leave Los Angeles,” X. September 17, 1977.
My hair was naturally curly. That is my Jewfro cos I combed my hair. Not permed.
Gabi Berlin took this lovely photo of me on top left, 1977. Polaroid in pink kimono, spring 1980, Melanie Nissen took photo of Robbie “Posh Boy” Fields and I making out in the closet at the Screamers Wilton Hilton party, January 1978. I think photo with star in my hair at Masque Benefit, Feb 25 and 25, 1978. I made my dress, then safety-pinned fabric Xeroxes of my photos onto dress.
Divine and I at Fiorucci’s Beverly Hills store. I also photographed ANDY WARHOL!! I was so stunned I could hardly take photos. June 1978.
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Read Rules of Engagement for how to contact me and other vital info. Thank you.
One reason I have NOT posted more stories and photos is because some people are mean and rude and liars.
(“Some people give me the creeps,” from “We’re Desperate,” X.)
So I created this PRIVATE SAFE SPACE for us.
I plan on having some live sessions, as well as recorded audio and video.
It’s vital that we treat each other, and especially me, with respect. I should not have to say this, but it’s crazy how crazy people are!
Ok, so let’s have effin’ fun cos we sure need it.
Thanks and stay the eff well!
If you dare defend not wearing masks, I will kick your ass to the curb and not refund your money. That is not negotiable! No current politics! Also non-negotiable.
Let’s have fun and keep it safe for ALL of us. Thanks!
I created a form that makes it easy to contact me.
I don’t do much social media anymore. It’s brutal out there. People hide questions in comments and then attack me when I don’t answer them.
I know I am bitching about people, but why do you think I was an early Punk? Cos some people drive others crazy, ya know!
Thanks for being here. YOU are special!
Questions prior to joining? Write Jenny Lens.
Members: write with suggestions what stories, events, shows, bands, people, parties, general themes, anything you are wondering about, 1976-80.
I possibly can include photos IF on my list: Bands, Parties, Venues, People 1976-80.
Contrary to popular thought, NOT all my photos scanned. Many are scanned very small, due to technology I owned at the time.
ANY idea how much time and money scanning costs? Six figures.
I want to know what you want to know, see and hear! Membership has it privileges. Write Jenny Lens
I photographed starting with the Ramones first West coast Tour, August 1976 to the Clash 16 Tons Tour in England, June 1980. ONLY.
See my list: Bands, Parties, Venues, People 1976-80.
I did not photograph much hardcore punk cos I hated the mindless violence.
I needed FUN, interesting people in creative, colorful clothes, and songs with lyrics that resonated with me and music that had a beat and you can dance to it. Not thrashing each other in the mosh pit.
Sadly, some of my fave negs and slides were stolen by a woman in the music industry supposedly trying to help me.
I’ve lots scanned, but not all large images. So we’ll deal with hundreds that are available.
Plus stories you’ve never heard or only heard from others. I always said punk is like the 6 blind men and the elephant.
Everyone has their own memories. But I wasn’t drunk and I do have photos. Plus I’ve interviewed many who also didn’t get stoned out of their minds every night.