South Jersey photographer Frank Stefanko recalls Springsteen photo shoots

Frank Stefanko knows most photographers would kill for even a few minutes with Bruce Springsteen. That’s why he feels so lucky to have spent many years with a lens focused on The Boss.

Stefanko, who now lives in North Jersey, shot the covers for “Darkness on the Edge of Town” and “The River.” His Springsteen photos appear in galleries all over the country and are featured in the book “Days of Hope and Dreams: An Intimate Portrait of Bruce Springsteen.”

What is your favorite Springsteen memory, song or lyric?Tell us in the comments below.

Now, his work is helping to tell Springsteen’s story at the National Constitution Center’s current exhibit, “From Asbury Park to the Promise Land: the Life and the Music of Bruce Springsteen.” The exhibit documents the singer’s life from “Greetings From Asbury Park” to his newest album “Wrecking Ball.”

In a recent interview, Stefanko remembered how important South Jersey was in Springsteen’s early career.”One of the best days of my life was when we were working together in Haddonfield, New Jersey, 1982, doing photographs for “Nebraska.” It was a hot Memorial Day weekend and we decided to get out of town for a while, just cool off,” Stefanko recalled.

Although he’s from North Jersey, Springsteen’s musical roots run deep in South Jersey, Stefanko said.

“He came down to South Jersey as his career was evolving. he played in a lot of clubs in South Jersey, at the Jersey shore and in Cherry Hill.”

You can hear a portion of Stefanko’s interview by clicking on the video above the story, which features several of his pictures of Springsteen and the E Street band members.

After you watch the video, share your favorite thoughts about Springsteen. What concert stands out in your mind?

Did you play a Springsteen song at your wedding, or listen to one after a breakup? Which records did you wear out?