This video provides a beginner's guide to concert photography, focusing on how to obtain media passes and photograph concerts, particularly for aspiring photographers. The speaker shares their personal experience and offers actionable advice.
Key Takeaways
Gaining Access: Joining a publication (online blog or magazine) significantly increases chances of getting a media pass, as it provides the artist with wider exposure. Freelance photographers often face more difficulty.
Starting Out: Begin by photographing smaller, local artists to build a portfolio and network. Utilize resources like the "Bands in Town" app to find local shows.
Securing Media Passes: Contact publicists (easily found via Google searches for artist press releases) to request passes. Personalize your outreach emails; a generic template is less effective. Alternatively, apply through the Live Nation portal (though success is not guaranteed). Consider starting your own publication if joining an existing one proves difficult.
Concert Photography Strategies: Develop a shooting strategy (e.g., covering different stage sides in subsequent songs, using filters strategically). Essential gear includes a camera, telephoto lens (for stadium shows), and a star filter. Avoid using flash photography. There's typically a 3-song limit in the photo pit. Dress in dark clothing.
Compensation: Most concert photographers do it as a hobby or supplement their main income source, as paid opportunities are limited. Licensing photos can be a possibility, although this area is complex regarding copyright and artist likeness.
