How to get a PHOTO PASS for CONCERTS & photograph your favourite bands

[@chrispatmore8944]

Top tips Steve. You covered pretty much everything. I know here in London (not the Canadian one) at all the small venues (mostly pubs) you don’t need passes and can just show up with a camera and shoot. The lighting is usually pretty bad, but the bands are good, and most gigs are free or under a tenner - more are charging since lockdown finished. Even though I’ve shot lots of big gigs and festivals, and I shoot for one of the nicest medium-sized venues, I prefer the smaller shows that are free from the hassle of getting passes along with the restrictions that come with the bigger shows. It’s also nice shooting the new bands because you never know who is going to make it.

[@SteveGerrardPhotography]

Great points Chris. I do still love those tiny shows where you might catch bands on the way up. First time I saw Muse, it was free to get in and they played a bar that held about 100 people.

[@floridahippyman1984]

You lucky if u do shows in America if it’s a small one u have to contact any of the bands and try to get them on to put you on the list haven’t gotten a chance to do a huge show working towards it hopefully will pay off here soon.

[@andrewcroft2570]

Great Video Steve, very useful.

[@SteveGerrardPhotography]

Glad it was helpful!

[@DarrenMostyn]

Really interesting - especially the points about respect!

[@DarrenMostyn]

and love 'dry cleaning' band..saw it in the web pages!

[@SteveGerrardPhotography]

@@DarrenMostyn Yeah me too. I'm seeing them here in Montreal soon.

[@SteveGerrardPhotography]

Relationship-building can make a huge difference for sure.

[@CARMENTHUNDERS]

Excellent information. Loving all the tips. Heading to a large festival in September. I know several of the bands but definitely interested in this information for other events.

[@iwanjoness]

Would love a video on Lightroom and editing gig photos!

[@SteveGerrardPhotography]

That's exactly what I'm planning right now :)

[@iwanjoness]

@@SteveGerrardPhotography Beautiful stuff. I think the beauty with music photography is the freedom to go crazy with colours and lighting. I see so many people take amazing photos but then edit so the skin tone is completely natural or the lighting is dulled down. Hope you touch on that!

[@radshoesbro]

Great video. As someone that is relatively new to this whole thing I'm wondering what you'd consider the right amount of photographs for building a portfolio?

[@SteveGerrardPhotography]

Cheers Ben. I don't think there's a tried and tested number but I'd definitely say quality not quantity. Aim to show variety and images that you're proudest of. Photos that give a feel of how it felt to be there rather than just a shot of somebody on stage. Shots with emotion or attitude always work well. Hope that helps.

[@jornmulder]

Pearl Jam is a great band !! :D

[@videomandan26]

Great insight. Definitely need to get back into this side of photography been a fair few years out.

[@SteveGerrardPhotography]

Thanks Dan. I haven't shot anywhere near as many gigs recently of course but hoping that changes in 2022.

[@seanguidero3884]

Are there any 'do NOT do's" as a concert photographer? Like an unwritten etiquette that should be followed.

[@anthonyrassam7031]

Wear all black, don’t stay on stage, get your photos and move (don’t hog a spot for too long), always introduce yourself to production/staff, TM, and talent if you can. just a few unwritten rules