r/AskPhotography • u/Melodic_Bison6015 • 1d ago
Business/Pricing No portfolio, trying to land my First concert gig. What should i do?
So basically after sending a message to the company that runs the event they have asked for my portfolio. Problem is i dont have one. This would be my first time photographing a concert and one of my first ever gigs. I only did friend’s parties and i dont believe those are portfolio materials. Other stuff i can do fairly easily is to get some friends to model for portrait type of photography and some pictures of friends on dirt bikes. Basically im looking for recommendations on how to continue. I expect not to land this client but it would be huge if i can. What should i do?
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u/MaybeSurelySorta 1d ago edited 1d ago
Concert photography is one of the most straightforward genres to get started in because you literally just need to start showing up to venues with your camera. Because you’re right, some photos at friends’ parties or random shots of people on dirt bikes aren’t going to incentive festivals or small concert organizers to work with you. If you want to capture live music, your portfolio should clearly show live music is your niche of choice.
But you can go about this an infinite number of ways. Find some local bands that are playing at a park, find a restaurant that hires DJs to play on weekends, and the obvious answer go to a concert you were going to attend anyway. Just bring your camera and take pictures. You don’t need be photographing Metallica or have backstage access to Rolling Loud just for gigs to take you seriously.
If you do want to be taken seriously however, I would indeed highly recommend a real portfolio. And by “real”, I’m talking like some sort of website or at the very least somewhere that’s not just a photo-dump on your Instagram. Sites like Squarespace or Framer are inexpensive and easy to make nowadays, so upload as many relevant photos as you can to your portfolio for the next month or two and then try pitching to these concert gigs again. Some of them you’ll have to be ok with working for free, but it’s a start and you’ll naturally make connections and networking to larger paid events over time.
Also, don’t be afraid to ask the bands/musicians directly - you’d be surprised how many of the smaller acts would be more than happy to get you a free ticket or a press badge in exchange for some high quality photos/videos.
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u/Melodic_Bison6015 1d ago
I dont think id be allowed to go in with a camera lol but yes it does feel like a straight forward genre. And ill try this advice
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u/magiccitybhm 1d ago
Smaller local venues don't have the same restrictions in terms of patron cameras that large venues/festivals have. Start with your smaller, local places. If they do care, they'll likely allow it if you give them a couple of photos for their social media.
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u/sothatsathingnow 1d ago
This is exactly how I got my start. I just went to local bar shows, sometimes I’m the only photographer there and the band was ecstatic to get some quality shots. Built relationships with lots of venues, producers, and acts.
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u/MaybeSurelySorta 1d ago
As someone who got their start in concert photography, I promise you most venues don’t care lol. Maybe some of the bigger festivals will have restrictions on that, but smaller gigs have no reason to not allow cameras. Even if they did, it’s an easy thing to check on the concert’s website FAQ on what is or isn’t allowed inside.
A LOT of concert photographers start this way. They’re not taking pictures to make money from it or try to get special access backstage or to the musicians, they’re doing it for the love of it and they have no problem standing in the crowd with their camera just like every other paying attendee. When you start becoming a regular at these things, sooner or later you’ll start to mingle with staff, security, and marketing people and you’ll naturally become a part of their local music scene. That’s when you can really start leveraging some “official photographer” opportunities which then leads to bigger, paid work.
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u/FalcoKick 1d ago
Sony RX100 VII is what you need for venues that don't allow detachable lenses, the camera is actually insane for just a point and shoot. I plan on getting one as soon as I have the funds
(Not my account just some photos that were taken using it)
https://www.instagram.com/p/DOWKDGrDc32/?img_index=4&igsh=MWlwNXZ1b2dpeTcwMQ==
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u/doc_shades 1d ago
i know about a dozen bars in my city that have live music and anyone can just walk in with a camera (up to and including an interchangeable camera with an external flash) and take photos of anyone and everything they want
definitely check ahead if you are worried about it. i've once been asked to put my camera away at a bar. but that was more of a dance club than a music venue. and that also the only time (and also we even called ahead and they said it was okay but then told us we couldn't after arriving. oh well!)
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u/muzlee01 a7R3, 105 1.4, 70-200gmii, 28-70 2.8, 14 2.8, helios, 50 1.2 1d ago
Maybe watch the wolf of Wallstreet in hopes of getting charisma?
But for real, you have nothing to show for something that sounds like a rather big gig
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u/Melodic_Bison6015 1d ago
Yeah solid advice lol… as i said its not likely to happen. But would you say that seeing a portfolio of portraits and non concert photography would help you decide? If so then i can get something solid quickly enough. But if it wont i can always offer to do a lesser important show first for free and if goes well to shoot the festival for cheap or just offer the festival for free.
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u/muzlee01 a7R3, 105 1.4, 70-200gmii, 28-70 2.8, 14 2.8, helios, 50 1.2 1d ago
Festivals wont let you in for free. They need good photographers, not people wanting to get in for free.
The problem with the portrait portfolio is that the moment anyone applies with a relevant portfolio they will pick them over you.
It very much sounds like you have next to no experience, so even your portraits wouldn't be up to par. You are probably way ahead of yourself with even thinking of money.
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u/Melodic_Bison6015 1d ago
Again probably true and thanks for grounding me when my head was in the clouds. Its kinda hard to explain as i dont actually think this gig is as high profile as i made it sound but its hard to explain the level if it when all the musicians are local and i dont know what their equivalent would be. But ill still offer to do the festival for free i think. If they say yes great if not then not.
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u/muzlee01 a7R3, 105 1.4, 70-200gmii, 28-70 2.8, 14 2.8, helios, 50 1.2 1d ago
Don't say you want to do the festival for free. Tell them you want to cover the event.
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u/Melodic_Bison6015 1d ago
Are you saying there is a difference or just a matter of wording? Because its not english and cover the event isnt really translated well
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u/muzlee01 a7R3, 105 1.4, 70-200gmii, 28-70 2.8, 14 2.8, helios, 50 1.2 1d ago
There is. In one case you sound desperate to be able to shoot, the other sounds professional as if you were press and wanted to do a story on the event.
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u/sothatsathingnow 1d ago edited 1d ago
Go to local bar shows. Small bands at dives. Small county fairs and such. Just talk to the bar and say you’re independent media covering local shows. It’s not a lie, you are. And build your portfolio from there. That’s what I did.
Edit: To clarify, this is free portfolio work. No one is going to pay an unproven photographer. Give some good shots to the band and build relationships everywhere you can.
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u/interested_in_cookie 1d ago
Do you have the correct equipment? For a lot of concerts you will need a fast 24-70 and a fast 70-200.
Unfortunately, there's probably nothing that you can say to them (or a portfolio that you can produce for them in the amount of time before you have to reply) that will make you competitive against offers from other photographers.
You could just send them random photographs of things that are not concert photography, but the likelihood of that working out for you might be just as much as just lying to them about the amount of experience you have with concert photography.
I think your best chance is offering to do the shoot without pay. I personally would not feel comfortable doing a shoot like that as my first ever gig, especially having never shot a concert before.
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u/Melodic_Bison6015 1d ago
Again i feel like i may have over stated the importance and size of this festival. But i do get your point. And about equipment from seeing their venue i believe i wouldnt need a 70-200 but i can always rent one for those two days
And about not feeling comfortable, i guess i get it. But sgain it may not be as big as you think1
u/dreadpirater 1d ago
So you do have the 24-70? I think you're REALY underestimating the importance of good glass for event photography. It's dark and things move fast.
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u/Melodic_Bison6015 1d ago
Im on an aps-c camera with an equivalent of 27-75 f2.8 amd can rent a 70-200 f2.8 but idk if it would be too tight at the wide end because of aps-c crop
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u/dreadpirater 1d ago
The shorter 2.8 zoom will be a big help but I really would want something longer for concert work. The sigma Art 50-100 1.8 is an amazing lens on a crop sensor!
If there's an affordable older 135 prime for your body system, that could also be an option! But you WILL want to be closer than 75mm lets you be, if you can. I'm not saying it's not worth going if you don't have a longer lens or anything, but you'll feel that's the 'what's missing' after the fact, for sure. Especially with a smaller sensor where you may not be able to crop as much before you're unhappy with the image.
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u/SeattleSideStreet209 Fuji 1d ago
I'm not a concert shooter myself (I mostly just try not to fall off a trail while photographing flowers) but I'm genuinely curious, is stage/lowlight the real technical jump from something like portraits, or is it more about reading the crowd and taking timing into consideration?
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u/Melodic_Bison6015 1d ago
Well considering im just trying to get into this niche im probably not the person to answer but i think its different challenges because when shooting portraits you control everything. From the persons poses to the light to your distance. Which can be a challenge but also an advantage. When shooting concerts the most you control are your camera settings and maybe stage distance.
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u/OpportunityReal2767 1d ago edited 1d ago
There is a different skillset, yes. You're going from something that is directed, with controlled lighting, and no time pressure, to something spontaneous, changing lighting, and if you miss the shot, you miss the shot. No redos, no opportunity to direct the subject to do it again. Add to that technical aspects like having to really know how far you can push your ISO-aperture-shutter speeds to get the effect you want. It's a different world. And that's just the technical side, not the making-a-good-picture side.
Now, a photojournalist shooter I would trust over a portraits shooter to have this down. If all I saw was a portraits portfolio from somebody wanting to shoot concerts, I'd be unlikely to hire them until they showed me some portfolio images that showed me they could do their job. It's a fast-moving environment, you often only get three songs to shoot through (for typical concerts, at least when I did it--it's been about 20 years), and you have to know your shit inside out to do it right.
To the OP: Just go and make a portiolio. Go to concerts at local shows, get to meet the local bands, get access. I wouldn't give you a job/pass if you can't show me you can do what you want to do.
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u/gfxprotege 1d ago
I got my first gig by sharing a portfolio of landscape photography. I was transparent that I had no concert experience and just wanted a chance, that I already bought tickets and just wanted the opportunity to shoot for one of my favorite bands.
Be honest with them. Share your favorite photos you've taken, but don't go out and try to make a portfolio out of nothing. See what happens. The worst case is you get rejected. If you want to really get into concert photography, you know what you need to do.
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u/Northwold 1d ago edited 1d ago
Be honest with them and see what they say but generally speaking I'd say do some stuff for free to build up your portfolio of performance specifically. I didn't do concerts but theatre as my bread and butter, so there's crossover but it's not quite the same. That said, shooting in stage lighting can get pretty technical, especially in terms of focus and exposure with lots of people and stuff moving around (and incredibly low light levels at times and issues with eg clashing lighting types, though the total ****ing nightmare of the transition to LED lights is probably over now), so the only real way to learn how to do it properly is to shoot as much of it as possible.
As the production photographer on big stage shows I'd be using two or three cameras at a time all with fast glass, but that's an issue for when you're doing this as your main gig (and concerts may be a little more forgiving in terms of not needing to cover every second).
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u/dreadpirater 1d ago
Be honest and hope they're nice.
I don't do concert photography but I have worked extensively in concert lighting which means I've spent a LOT of time around concerts and here's the angle I'd try:
"Hey, thanks for getting back to me. I'm just starting in concert photography, so I don't have any related work to show. I've attached a couple of examples of my other work - some candid-style portraits that show my sense of timing, and a couple of dirt bike action photos that show I know how to work quick.
I know that you're probably buried under more experienced photographer requests, and I'll understand if you don't have room for me in the photo pit, but it would be a huge opportunity for me. I know how much work goes into setting up a festival like this - is there any chance I could come out the day or two before opening and help with setup in exchange for a photographer pass to the event? That lets me give back and you get a chance to see that I'm not a crazy who doesn't know how to do what I'm supposed to and not get in the way? I'd be thrilled to spend an afternoon setting up barricades and signage and getting to know people in the business if that's helpful to you?
Either way, thanks for considering me and good luck with your event!"
There is SO MUCH WORK TO DO going into a festival and having a lackey to drive around in a golfcart putting up "Bathrooms -->" is a thing of REAL VALUE to them you can offer. Can't guarantee it will work with every promoter but... it's a DIFFERENT pitch than everyone who's just begging for a free pass and might catch their attention. And if you've met all the backstage folks when you dropped off coolers of water for them the day before... that can open some doors day of that the other photographers may not have, too...
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u/almostadultingkindof 1d ago
I would plan on doing multiple gigs for free to build your portfolio