Ed Rode is a nationally respected photographer and videographer based in Nashville, Tennessee. Over the last three decades, he has developed his exceptional talent in visual storytelling using still photography, videography and drone imagery.
Ed’s broad range of experience includes music, architecture, travel and corporate photography. He provides still images, 360 panoramas, website and social media content for the world’s most celebrated sporting events and athletes, including the Super Bowl, World Golf Championships and Olympians. He also supplies imagery for well-known marketing and advertising campaigns for iconic brands such as Sony Music, Dave & Buster’s, United Way, Jack Daniel’s, Sony PlayStation, Bridgestone and others.
Ed has had the privilege of shooting icons in the political, sports and entertainment arenas including Tiger Woods, Peyton Manning and Presidents Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush and Barack Obama. In addition, his photos have been published in numerous international magazines such as People, TIME, Rolling Stone and Sports Illustrated.
While working on Nashville’s famed Music Row, Ed has enjoyed a front-row seat that’s allowed him to document and capture Nashville’s rich musical heritage. He is the first photographer to have his work showcased at The Bluebird Cafe, a world-renowned, intimate listening room that showcases live music performed by the songwriters themselves.
Ed has photographed musical legends – Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton and Waylon Jennings, to name just a few – in addition to superstars like Taylor Swift, Jason Aldean, Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert and Brad Paisley. His Portraits of Nashville Songwriters and Musicians collection debuted at The Bluebird Café and has since grown into a touring photo exhibit. This stunning collection of portraits has greeted visitors in Nashville International Airport, Sony Tree Music and Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
In 2015, Ed released Burn it Down, a photojournalistic behind-the-scenes glimpse into country music star Jason Aldean’s life on the road with his band. Ed travelled internationally for a year to complete the project with Aldean, who performed for over a million fans during the tour.
In 2017, in conjunction with The Bluebird Cafe’s 35th birthday, Ed celebrated the second installation of his work at the music venue. The exhibit featured images from his forthcoming book Songwriters & Musicians, a collection of photos and stories spanning his 33-year career of photographing legendary and contemporary artists in Nashville and beyond.
Ed’s go-anywhere, shoot-anything approach to photography is a product of his work in the 1990s as a photojournalist for the Nashville Banner, the city’s afternoon paper. Ed received the Banner’s Photographer of the Year Award three years in a row.
He has shared his love of photography by instructing, lecturing and advising students in the classrooms of Vanderbilt University, Murray State University, O’More College of Design Western Kentucky University and Northwestern University.
He also served as photographer and photo editor for Sports Nashville magazine and his images reside in many personal collections.
Ed began his visual artist career as a high school student in Michigan, where he participated in a photojournalism mentoring program. After earning a business degree from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan he returned to school for a master’s degree in photo communications from Ohio University before moving to Nashville.
“I believe deeply in the power of visual storytelling. It’s my passion and life’s work. Making authentic connections and capturing real moments, bring a story to life.
– Ed Rode
Specialties
Music
Commercial Photography
Food
Fashion
Live Events
Drone Footage
Portraits
Architecture
Education
Nonprofits
Real Estate
Advertising
Documentary
Clients
Tractor Supply Corporation
Pilot Corporation
Cooper Alan
Country Music Association
Dave & Buster’s Inc.
Sony PlayStation
Bridgestone Americas
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Jack Daniels Distillery
Sony Music
Martha White
Habitat for Humanity
United Way
BMI - Broadcast Music, Inc.
Dept. of Tourism, State of Tennessee
Nashville Arts & Entertainment Magazine
ASCAP - American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers
SESAC - Society of European Stage Authors and Composers
Tour Photographer for Jason Aldean + Brooks & Dunn
Credits
Magazines + Other Media
Ed’s work has appeared in TIME, Sports Illustrated, People, Rolling Stone, Associated Press, Billboard, Guitar World, Country Weekly. His work is also internationally syndicated through Getty Images and a variety of media outlets.
Books
Songwriter: Photographing Nashville’s Iconic Storytellers– (to be released 2023) Currently compiling never-seen-before portraits celebrating the untold story of the singers and songwriters of Nashville’s tight-knit music scene. Set to be published in 2023, this 200-page collection captures the struggles and joy of these talented artists.
Burn It Down – Documentary Book – (2016) Authored documentary book Burn It Down, the first official book published on country music star Jason Aldean. Ed was entrusted by Jason and his band to tell his story and given special, unfettered access to Jason on stage and backstage. Hardcover publication consists of 72 rare and exclusive color and black and white photographs documenting the wild ride Jason and his band experienced throughout the year-long tour that took them all over the world.
Rolling Stone Tattoo Nation: Portraits of Celebrity Body Art
Hardcover – Ed was selected to contribute to this collection of 100 candid photos that chronicle the gradual emergence of this evocative art form into mainstream society via pop-culture icons.
Capture Music City
Hardcover – Ed’s work was selected by over one million voters to be included in this fine art coffee table book that captures the best of Nashville’s most iconic landmarks and hot spots.
Exhibits + Lectures
Lecture
Iris Nights Lecture Series:Country: Portraits of an American Sound
Annenberg Space for Photographers – Los Angeles, California (August 2014)
“A City of Masters: Nashville’s Songwriters & Musicians”
Television Interview
Channel News 4 –Nashville, Tennessee (May 2020)
“Prominent Nashville photographers say goodbye to Dury’s”
Print Interview
Music Row: Industry Ink (June 2017)
Photographer Ed Rode To Celebrate Songwriting Legends At Bluebird Cafe
Print Interview
The State Newspaper – Columbia, South Carolina (June 2016)
“A look at Columbia through the lens of a Dave and Buster’s photographer”
Radio Interview
SiriusXM Radio channel The Highway, interviewed by host Storme Warren (2015)
“Shooting the Nashville Scene: An Insider’s Story”
Lecture
Vanderbilt University, The University Club – Nashville, Tennessee (April 2014)
“Songwriters & Musicians”– Guest Lecturer
Print Interview
The Smoking Poet (Summer 2008)
Ed Rode: Feature Artist Interview
Lecture
Imagerie Gallery – Grand Rapids, Michigan (2008)
“Cityscapes, Songwriters and Musicians”
Lecture
National Parks and Recreation Association – Chicago, Illinois (1993)
“Digital Arts & Visual Media in Non-Profit Work”
Touring + International Experience
Documentary Photographer for Ken Burns – (2019) Acted as documentary photographer for Ken Burns on the media launch for the “Country Music” PBS documentary miniseries. The eight-part series chronicles the history and prominence of country music in American culture.
Official Photographer for Jason Aldean – (2014–2015) Documented North America and European tour of Country Music Artist Jason Aldean for exclusive book, Burn It Down, published in 2016. Tour covered 100 cities, with the band performing for a million fans.
Official Photographer for Brooks & Dunn – United States (2000–2005) Touring, documentary and production photographer for the band, creating imagery for their web site, tour documentary and merchandise.
Scotland Documentary Photographer – Scotland (1990) Ohio University Master’s Program: Traveled the countryside creating photo stories and essays documenting small-town Scottish culture.
Music Photography
2022 Album Cover, Jet Black Roses (Photography)
2022 Album Cover, Ronnie Dunn (Photography)
2021 “Tough Ones” - Cooper Alan (Director)
2019 Sweet Release – Reese Wynans (Photography)
2016 Live Book – Andy McKee (Photography)
2014 Beauty Is… The Final Sessions – Ray Price (Photography)
2013 4340 – George Ducas (Photography)
2013 Feels Like Carolina – Parmalee (Photography)
2011 This One’s for Him: A Tribute to Guy Clark – Guy Clark (Photography)
2010 Bridges and Barricades – Ryan Alan (Photography)
2009 Comfort and Joy – John Cowan (Cover Photo)
2009 More Like Me – Webb Wilder (Photography)
2009 Shout! Live – Mike Farris / Mike Farris & The Roseland Rhythm Revue (Photography)
2008 The Best of Del McCoury: The Groovegrass Years – Del McCoury (Photography)
2007 My Turn – Doug Stone (Photography)
2005 Marbletown – Blue Highway (Photography, Cover Photo)
2005 Wide Open Spaces/Fly – Dixie Chicks (Photography)
2004 Just Like There’s Nothin’ to It – Steve Forbert (Photography)
2003 Crazy: The Demo Sessions – Willie Nelson (Cover Photo)
2001 Live at the Bluebird – Don Henry (Photography)
2000 Live in Detroit – Peter Frampton (Cover Photo)
1999 Fly – Dixie Chicks (Photography)
1998 Del, Doc & Mac – Del McCoury, Doc Watson, Mac Wiseman (Photography, Cover Art Concept)
1998 Swamp Dog Blues – Mike Dowling (Photography)
1996 Attic Chronicles, Vol. 1 – Dennis Morgan (Photographic Reproduction)
1996 Alive and Ornery – Scott Ramminger (Photography, Cover Photo)
1996 Farther Down the Line – Bryan Hayes (Photography)
1996 Rise Up – Scott Ramminger (Cover Photo)
1996 Tennessee Moon – Neil Diamond (Album Art)
Education + Certifications
Master of Arts in Photo Communications: Ohio University – Athens, Ohio
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration: Aquinas College – Grand Rapids, Michigan
Integrated Airman Certification, FAA Remote Pilot Drone Certificate: Current
Teaching + Advising Positions
Instructor, Murray State University – Murray, Kentucky (Current) Teach photography and multimedia classes in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communications.
Student Media Photography Advisor, Vanderbilt University Student Communications – Nashville, Tennessee (2018–Current) Provide oversight, support and ethics coaching for student-sponsored publications. Instruct students on the use of analog and digital cameras, software techniques, ethics and photojournalism responsibilities.
Media Immersion Instructor (2018–Current) Teach the photo track program for undergraduate students who vary in skill level from beginner to experienced. Topics include social media, editorial strategies, art techniques, lighting, portraiture, photojournalism, and sports photography.
Adjunct Professor of Digital Photography, O’More College of Design – Nashville, Tennessee (2006–2008) Instructor and lecturer for computer-based courses on digital photography. Goals included increasing photographic skills through the use of computer and software programs such as Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. Developed lesson plans from weekly course outline; adapted content, presentations and projects to inform and motivate students. Assessed assignments and exams; assigned course grades.
Adjunct Professor of Photojournalism, Western Kentucky University – Bowling Green, Kentucky (1998–1999) Delivered lectures and led hands-on classes introducing the basics of traditional and digital photojournalism. Facilitated review and critique sessions using theoretical models of art and provided guided direction for project outcomes. Developed lesson plans from weekly course outline; adapted content, presentations and examples to inform and motivate students. Assessed assignments and exams; assigned course grades.
Visual Media Advisor + Guest Speaker, Northwestern University – Evanston, Illinois (1993–2000)Evaluated and set goals for student-generated semester visual media projects. Developed and delivered lectures and presentations on trending photography and visual media issues. Provided instruction on the use of analog film and cameras, and darkroom and lab processes and safety. Demonstrated digital photography camera use.