New 1993 shots from the Olympic Peninsula expand the visual legacy of Pearl Jam’s second album.
More than thirty years after the release of Vs., Lance Mercer has unveiled a previously unreleased photo gallery featuring images taken during Pearl Jam’s promotional sessions for their second studio album. Shot in 1993, the collection includes photos that were later used — or left on the cutting room floor — during the creation of the iconic Vs. artwork.
The photos were taken in Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula, right at a pivotal moment for the Seattle band. Fresh off the massive impact of Ten, Pearl Jam were in the middle of sharpening a tougher, rawer identity — one that would fully come to life on Vs.
Alongside the gallery, Mercer shared a personal note reflecting on both the timing of the shoot and his relationship with the band, which by then had grown tight after several tours together.
Here’s what he wrote: “This session was after I had done a few tours already with Pearl Jam so I was definitely more comfortable with them not only as good friends but as a band. I had become way more confident with my skills as a photographer, so much so that the idea of hauling my large format 4×5 camera, lights and a generator out to the Peninsula seemed like a fine idea, I laugh about now considering how much photo technology has advanced.”
That comfort level really shows. The shots feel loose and natural, with the band blending into the landscape instead of posing for the camera — the exact opposite of slick, overproduced promo photography.
From a technical standpoint, the session is just as impressive. Mercer hauled a large-format 4×5 camera, lighting gear, and even a generator out to a remote area of the Olympic Peninsula. It was a bold move that paid off, giving the images a heavy, tactile feel that lines up perfectly with the mood and attitude of Vs. This newly released gallery is more than just a cool throwback — it’s a legit piece of Pearl Jam history, offering fans a deeper look at the visual world surrounding one of the most important albums of the ’90s.
If you’re interested in purchasing photo prints, Lance Mercer asks that you reach out directly for details and availability at: lance@lancemercerphotography.com
At this link — or by clicking the photo below — you can head to Lance Mercer’s official website and check out the previously unreleased photo gallery from the Vs. sessions.
Born in Reggio Emilia in 1980. He created pearljamonline.it in 2001 and wrote the first edition of “Pearl Jam Evolution” in 2009 along with his wife Daria. Since 2022, he is behind 2 podcasts: “Pearl Jam dalla A alla Z” and “Fuori Orario Not Another Podcast”. He has collaborated with Barracuda Style, HvsR, Rolling Stone, Rockol and Il Fatto Quotidiano. He continues relentlessly to try to find “beautiful melodies that say terrible things”.
Favorite song: Present Tense
Favorite album: No Code
Favorite bands/artists other than PJ: Tom Waits, Soundgarden, Ramones, Bruce Springsteen, IDLES, Fontaines D.C., Mark Lanegan, R.E.M., Radiohead, Cat Power, Dead Kennedys