Concert Photography

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Name
Martyn
Edit My Images
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I'm really into concert photography, do a few local bands and did a shoot for the local radio station at a charity concert they held with some top bands.

Been trying to get into places for the likes of The Kooks, Scouting for Girls etc and not having much look because I'm going in freelance rather than working for the press.

Don't suppose anyone knows of any concert groups that have press access to bands or an agency providing a similar service?
 
Freelancers can still get in, but they need to be able to prove that their photos are published or used in a commercial way.

If you arn't selling your photos commercially, or getting them published, then you won't get a press pass for any major bands like The Kooks or Scouting for Girls.

Agencies like Getty do a lot of gig photography. It's not easy to get a job with them though.
 
You kinda just answered yourself there. Bands managers or record labels will try and restrict who takes photos as they like to know exactly where the photos are going. They basically want to make sure the photographers they let in are actually going to do something for them.

From a manager's point of view, letting in a freelancer who won't be selling the photos or using them commercially wouldn't be doing them an favors.

It's similar with festivals, a festival is only going to let in a photographer who they see as worthwhile to them.

This isn't always the case though.
 
The reason for publicists letting in photographer's, is to get publicity for their artist, if a photographer is trying to get in for experience, that isn't doing them any favours, there's loads of webzines out there that take on photographer's, you won't get paid for it but it'll get you into the gig.
 
The reason for publicists letting in photographer's, is to get publicity for their artist, if a photographer is trying to get in for experience, that isn't doing them any favours, there's loads of webzines out there that take on photographer's, you won't get paid for it but it'll get you into the gig.

Nice one thanks for the advice, can you recommend any?
 
Often a band's manager (or even the band themselves) are not the ones who have the final say.......it's the promoters and the venue management. Sometimes the band are happy for you to take shots for them, but the promoters want control, so only allow those who can get them the widest audience.

Try getting a local paper use some of your stuff from a local gig, and then see if the will give you a commision for another, bigger gig. A proven commision might do the trick.

Don't forget too, that the bigger the gig...the less access you actually get......the first three songs or 10 mins, (no flash) and that's it. At a smaller gig, you get all night to shoot and often backstage access too for candid's.
 
here is an online mag that is looking for photographers
.......................................................

www.fat-wrok.com wants photographers, live gig reviewers and cd reviewers.


Message them over at www.myspace.com/fat_wrok

If you're a photographer message them with 5 of your best shots and a link to your website or myspace.

If you're a writer please message them a recent gig/cd review.


THANK YOU! :D
 
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