Being assigned to....

Muss

Muss

Messages
183
Name
Dan
Edit My Images
Yes
How do i go about getting assigned to a media outlet/publication, whether it be in print or online?

I love everything about shooting a concert but i dont know how to go about trying to represent a source to get into the bigger shows?

Any advice?

I do have some shots on Flickr
I understand that there are mass improvements i can do to the photos but i just generally want to know how to ask in the right way.
 
Muss said:
How do i go about getting assigned to a media outlet/publication, whether it be in print or online?

I love everything about shooting a concert but i dont know how to go about trying to represent a source to get into the bigger shows?

Any advice?

I do have some shots on Flickr
I understand that there are mass improvements i can do to the photos but i just generally want to know how to ask in the right way.
Click to expand...

My advice would be to be damn good...the best.

The problem you have is that you're doing photography that's not really that well covered. Not every newspaper will want to use concert photos...and the specialist publications like the NME are pretty tightly sewn up in terms of contributors.

Still, if that doesn't put you off, then research some agencies you'd like to work for and put together a portfolio of the best 15 shots...the VERY best and phone them, then email a portfolio. Post one too if you have to.

Be persistent and be prepared to be knocked back A LOT.
 
Same advice as trying to shoot anything news reporting wise... start at the bottom and work up.

"You can't do it until you've done it" is the classic problem here, so you need to go with the low hanging fruit and build your reputation.

So find some local bands playing pubs or small venues in your town, shoot some photos, write reports (this bit is important, more so than the photos because a complete ready to run article is more easily acceptable than just photos) and keep firing them to the local newspapers. Once they bite, keep going.

Find someone bigger then (with a local connection) and ask to cover them the same... and keep going.

Don't expect to get much in the way of anything more than basic expenses but build your rep.

Ok, so week 2 you aren't going to get to cover the Rolling Stones playing in Moscow, but slowly slowly catchy monkey.

I am talking time and determination here. If that sounds too hard, give up now because short of some freak accident, its the only way.
 
Considered setting up your own website?

A lot of people told me a simple blog site would never work, it wasn't professional enough.

I'm photographing a Biffy Clyro gig next month and in the summer Kendal Calling festival, so it can work.

It won't get your photos in print or money in the bank but it might just get you photopasses so you can get the experience and the portfolio to be able to approach agencies etc.

My site is www.ukgigsandfestivals.com is you fancy having a nosey... it's pretty much as basic as they come, but does the trick :)
 
Setting up your own website can work, but its still all about hard work and not just rocking up :D

Jessica - love your photos on your blog btw, excellent work!
 
Hey thanks for all the replies.
I do have my own website but im not happy with how it is at the moment so as soon as the webmaster gets back from holiday im going to tweak it abit.
Blog i did have and will start it up again i reckon.

I have photographed, Faithless, The Automatic, lots of local bands and in the next few months il be doing Bowling For Soup, Slam Dunk Festival, 36 Crazy Fists, The Wonder years, Hopefully KISS @ wembley arena and V Festival.

So i think ive been very lucky so far to have the opportunities that i have had. But I need to learn more about the marketing side of things and how to approach people about things.

Its all a great learning curve though!
 
Sounds like you have your foot in the door, you just need to make sure you exploit it fully and get some of the stuff published.

Most PR offices will stop accrediting you if they aren't seeing results - you just wanting to take photos or even being the best concert photographer in the world won't help if its not getting them the media exposure they want.

So your publications are more important than the photography itself, make sure you don't burn any good contacts by failing to deliver SOMETHING each time.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top