How Do I Get In To Shoot A Show?
Press passes. 99% of all professional photographers you see behind the barricade are there shooting for either a newspaper, a magazine, a music website, or for a stock photography house such as Getty Images or Wire Image.
Normally, the only exception is the house photographer for the arena, the tour photographer, the band's photographer, or if there has been a special photographer invited in to cover the show by the band.
How Do I Get or Submit for a Press Pass?
Press passes are issued to local and national media. To request a press pass, simply contact the artist or band's P.R. firm or record label, and make sure to include the publication you are shooting for, your name, and the date of the show you are interested in shooting.
Press normally is granted access to shoot either the first two or three songs of the performing artist's set.
Tips for first time or new concert photography shooters.
1. Before you arrive at the arena or venue make sure you know where the media check in. This varies per venue and arena. Simply contact the arena or check the venue's website. Many have information for the media in regards to where you need to enter.
2. Allow ample time for parking and always arrive early.
3. All arenas and venues have media reps. They are basically your handlers insuring you not only follow the guidelines of the media coverage designated by the band, but they are also there to assist you with any questions you have.
If this is your first time, make sure you know who your media contact is for the venue/arena. Introduce yourself, and thank them for their assistance.
4. You will not always have access to the pit. Don't argue. Don't complain. If you are shooting by the mix, pull out your telephoto, suck it up and get the best possible shots you can.
5. Introduce yourself to your fellow photographers. If it's your first time, naturally you are going to be excited but don't over do it. Many of the photographers you will shooting next too are seasoned professionals. They are there to get a job done, not there to hold your hand. You can never go wrong with turning the focus of the conversation onto them: Who do you shoot for, how long have you been doing this, and most important: just know when to shut up.
6. If you get bounced early DO NOT ARGUE with your media rep or the tour rep. Once in a blue moon the media rep will get told to enter on one song, exit on another, then when you get in the pit you find out only two songs instead of three.
If any member from the tour's staff walks by and says YOUR OUT OF HERE, or if you get tapped on the shoulder as an indication of shoot time is up, you have only one responsibility and that is to smile, mouth thank you and get out of the pit as quickly as possible. You are there as a guest of the venue and as a guest of the tour. It simply does not matter if you thought you were getting three songs and only ended up shooting for two. Count yourself lucky you got what you did and exit smiling.
7. Watch your mouth. You think Kellie Pickler is hot? Your a guy and you totally want to do her? Nifty. But keep your mouth shut about it. Leave the locker room talk in the locker room. When you are in media holding, or even better, in the pit with sea of tweens surrounding you, keep your mouth shut on how doable you think the artist on the stage is.... it is grossly unprofessional and it makes you look like an ass.
8. Be courteous to your fellow shooters. I don't care if you are in the pit or shooting by the mix, always remember a little kindness goes a long way. Just got the best shot ever, great. Move and let the photographer behind you have his chance.
Shooting through a sea of fans because you were stuck by the mix and you have found the sweet spot. Fantastic. Use it. Get the great shots you need, then share it. Alert the other shooters, hopefully next time they will do the same for you.
Situational Awareness. Double tap on the shoulder is priceless inside the pit. We don't have eyes in the back of our head. Shooting behind someone shorter than you, give them a heads up you are there so when they back up they don't get a lens jammed into their skull. Inside the barricade it is cramped. Try to be at courteous as possible when you move, but bumps and stumbles are going to happen. Don't be a jerk about if someone bumps into you.
9. Know when to step outside of the box.
The truly great concert photographers are the ones who obtain the images that do not look what everyone else was shooting. Break away from the herd. If everyone around you shooting the same angle, then find a new one.
10. Dealing with the local hero. Many arenas and venues have them. That one photographer who, one day, just decided to pick up a camera and become a rock shooter. They have no professional training, they think they are totally awesome, and they act like they own the place.
There is only one way to handle this person. Simply smile. Smile big. Smile proud. Trust me. You are not the only one who has noticed their attitude. Smile and get the shots you need and move onto the next show.
11. Never place the arena or venue in a bad spot. This could be anything from trying to sneak in shooting a few extra songs, to trying to stay around and watch the show without a ticket, to unethical behaviour outside of the arena. Always remember you are a guest. You are not there to make their job any harder then it already is, so go out of your way to always present yourself in a professional manner. If you think you have messed up, own up to it. Believe me, that will get you father then trying to b.s. your way out of it.
12. Show day is leave them alone day! Your media rep is dealing with a million issues on show day. This is the day where you do everything in your power to support them and not bother them. You didn't get a press pass at a venue you normally shoot at? Do not call them and complain. It is not their job to say who receives press passes and who doesn't. This is strictly up to the visiting artist or band. Simply suck it up and realize you can't win them all, and better luck next time.
