How To Get Started As A Music Photographer

[@m.purgar]

A year ago I was shooting mostly local bands and shows with 50-100 people. Last week, I got a pass and shot a festival with 100k people, photographer Alice in Chains, Queens of the Stone Age, Nick Cave and other major artists. It's possible, just push it and take it step by step and everyone can do it.

[@timdornaus]

love your positive and supportive attitude. really helps

[@elmakias]

course, thats the vibe here, everyone is down to help if ya ever need it

[@andreeadobre3190]

Great advice. I'm a pro photographer currently working to switch my niche to music, so excited!! With my previous work it kinda all fell into place but to get into music I really have to put the work in with networking & stuff, I may have an event portfolio but people in music need to find out I exist. Also if you're sitting on your couch daydreaming about being a music photographer, at least grab your phone and introduce yourself to people. For a while I'm offering to shoot concerts for free for my favourite local bands to gain experience (and because I love them & want to support) but long term I'm aiming to work for festivals, nightclubs & promoters. I'm so lucky to be in a big city with a music scene I love, wish I got into music photography sooner.

[@TypeEcho]

Honestly I started almost entirely with social media. Like I shot photos of local bands to build a small portfolio, and then I contacted some local photographers through instagram who shot as in-house photogs for our local "big band" venue, and then we met up, talked, and now im an in-house photographer there. Hopefully from here i can grow some more. Just keeping up the hard work and having a blast in the process!

[@elmakias]

thats what im talking about!!!

[@adriiiana13]

I've have photographed many local shows. Most of them were me testing my skills and I'm confident with my work examples. But I have no idea how to start making money with it. Advice on approaching bands that come through my town, and advice on pricing or just how to get paid for photographing these bands would be really helpful! Love your videos, always good information!

[@elmakias]

Adriana Sepulveda I got you, I think it’s next weeks blog

[@jencharlie]

God did I need this. I feel like I know what I need to do to get to where I want to be but simply trying to shoot local gigs and actually getting out in the local area is such a struggle for me. Still got major confidence issues and I'm sick of it trying to limit my abilities but listening to this has really brought back my motivation and I can't thank you enough for always helping! I hope I can overcome my trepidation.

[@elmakias]

awesome, that is so great to hear

[@jamesxkay]

That camera without a cap in the background is making me nervous hahaha

[@elmakias]

its my canon 5d Original, i dont use it anymore, i just keep it cause its speical to me. I zeroed my bank account buying that when I was 19 haha.

[@olivegreen6016]

thank you for this!! i've been wanting to be a music photographer lately, but my dad didn't like the job, but you inspired me to do what i really wanted!! lots of love xx

[@KlarqueGarrison]

Adam! Just found your page.... I've been shooting concerts for about 2 years now and it's been fantastic. Thanks for all your insight and advice! Maybe I'll see ya in the pit someday!

[@Pipikins]

So...totally love your energy and vibe. Really happy I discovered your videos.

[@jerikaternora166]

Thanks for posting this! Always waiting for more from you!

[@elmakias]

JJ Musica you are welcome

[@deanhindmarch_]

Adam is BACK. Yes dude!

[@danielgrindrod]

Great video Adam, I'm sure a lot of people will find this really useful. I definitely struggle with networking but knowing that encourages me to work on it more. I would say a lot of these tips can be applied to those looking to start make music videos as well =]

[@babwluvr]

Really appreciate this video! I’ve shot some shows but I haven’t been sure what the next steps are so thank you!

[@cristhian2900]

awesome, I've been photographing some many concerts and i didn't know how to make money on this, your videos helps me a lot

[@elmakias]

you are welcome

[@sophiaedelle2071]

you give me so much hope :')

[@ellarahela9690]

My way was pure luck! I just started in March and I already have concerts to shoot(free of course I'm a starter) but I have bands that are between my fav one...hence my portfolio will be quite full up with cool bands( crystal lake-japan) on the 4th July for instance 😉) I'm literally typing while listening..and heck man I'm already doing exactly what you're saying! My first 3 bands were tribute bands! And first model were my co-workers haha

[@elmakias]

ella rahela proud of you, keep it up

[@ellarahela9690]

Adam Elmakias aww thank you *big hugs* Can I be a bit cheeky and ask for your advice/tips regarding Crystal Lake concert(do you know them, the metal japanese band?) It's my very first metalcore and in a tiny venue..I'm scared for my gear haha(crowd surfers), so where should I aim to be positioned pit-wise in your opinion(I say pit but there's no fence or something like that..probably I'll get squashed alive) I have full access(backstage,on-stage and pit) I'll be using canon 80D with canon 70-200mm 2.8 II , canon 5d MKII with canon 24-70mm 2.8 II and I'll have the canon 50mm 1.8 as well. Thinking to give up on being in front of stage and just try to get FOH shots with the 70-200mm for member close-up. And on stage ones with the 24-70mm so I can catch crowd view as well For backstage I'll use 50mm 1.8 with a speedlite (Btw, any idea why I'm getting terrible high vignetting when I'm using 50mm 1.8 with speedlite on the 80D,please? Is it to do with speedlite settings?)

[@era2327]

Awesomely made video, this inspires me

[@acidsnow5915]

this is really really something i would love to get in to but it seems so hard to get into venues if you dont work for a local paper

[@elmakias]

it is

[@kirstypawley366]

It’s taken me four years (so far) and even though I’m still not at the being paid stage. I’m getting artists ask me to take pictures for them. So have been focusing on making the contacts now....the money will come later on

[@ornellaberardi6555]

Great video! I'd love to know how to start making money with music photography. I've been doing it for the fun and the experience, but id like to take another step.

[@elmakias]

probably one of the hardest industries to make money in, but ill do my best to make a blog about this

[@rsp-bl]

keep up the great work

[@mrs.kellic1836]

You inspire me so much and happy belated birthday ❤️

[@elmakias]

thank you :)

[@misstarynmiko8204]

The current camera that I have right now is a Nikon Coolpix B500. And I’ve found that one of the downsides of it is it’s not the best camera for low light settings. Whenever I go to the local shows here, there is always low lighting so it’s always impossible to shoot with it since it doesn’t have a manual mode. I’m 16, and I’m just starting out with photography, and I would definitely buy a better camera but I don’t have a job to get one so I’ve just been kind of dealing with the one I have at the moment. Would you say that having a camera with a manual mode and low light settings is important to have? Or do you think for now I should just stick with the one that I have?

[@elmakias]

it will definitely help but dont become a victim of your circumstance, use it to your advantage. For example being 16 is kinda awesome so you dont have to pay rent - so maybe you can get a ajob and save up for a better one? You got this

[@johnnozzi-photovideo6543]

Just saw your channel a few days ago but I’ve seen your name on so many of the bands I enjoy. I’ve recently gotten into photography and would love to do music photography. While I don’t know if it’s something I want as a career I’ve been loving it the last few months. Question: I have a couple of connections with people that are on warped. But I don’t want to come off as using them. Is there a way to ask someone that I know without it coming off as them being used?

[@jennyjimenez1999]

Hey Adam, what do you personally think about going to college and majoring in something that could potentially be applicable to a photography career?

[@anthonigrande]

This is like a more path advanced question but: I moved to London to work for a singer and I'm waiting for her manager to stablish a price for touring and stuff. As I come from Spain, a country where the most you can get from shooting a music video is $600 in this industry, and hardly $150 for photographing a shot, what price range you would recommend for charging? Cause I don't want to price myself too low or too high. I'm supposed to do everything: from touring to promos, lil works off tour and stuff. Thanks again for everything you doing sir!

[@elmakias]

hey homie! Yea I mean the general rule is you charge as much as you can get - every client is going to be different. I make most of my money from a few clients and next to nothing from a lot, but the the ones i make the least from are what i learn the most doing, so its a balance.

[@anthonigrande]

Adam Elmakias But how do you wonder how budget would they could and be willing to spend on their photo work, I mean, if you just ask it directly won't they just tell less than what they have to spend less? Thanks Adam!

[@chinmayofficial96]

I am also a Music Photographer but how to get Client

[@ChaSoewongso]

Do you think business card is still important nowadays?

[@elmakias]

that is quite a huge question, i dont use em, but sometimes they help

[@jinitsavla]

Hi. I'm Jinit from Mumbai, India. I have a Canon 6D Mark II and a 40mm 2.8 I have emailed so many music photographers for any assistance or internship kind of things but I never get a reply and those who reply have a negative answer. Shooting local clubs in India isn't possible because in local clubs people aren't allowed to take camera gear inside. I'm just 18 years old. Please help me in approaching someone who can give me a chance or so!