Notice: This post is made out of frustration and you can leave your thoughts and anger here too.

I am 25, female, german and a freelance photographer. Since a year I am trying to get into concert photograpy with pay. The first 10 concerts I did of course for free to build my portfolio but now I reached the point where I want to get real jobs and some respect for my work.

But as many fellows know it is a hard world out there and you have to give 200% effort to get 2% chance on landing a job. So one of my strategies were writing pm‘s to concert photographers on instagram with the question if they could be so kind and spill the tea about experiences in the business.

Guess what? The answers were vague and short or you would get ignored. Further it would stop at telling the simple thing of which lens they used. I get it that everyone has their own style and tries to protect it but you can nit be replaced that quickly by just helping one out with some info.

Can someone tell me about similar experiences? Is there someone who is not afraid of giving informations about this photography sector? I would really like to not feel alone anymore with this behavior.

Thanks guys!

Summary: Freelance photographer trying to get into concert sector but struggles to get paid jobs. Succesfull photographers won‘t have a conversation about their experiences. Hence their the biggest gatekeepers in my opinion!!

  • Kokaburr@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    11 months ago

    I completely understand where you’re coming from. It might seem frustrating, but look at it from the perspective of the people you’re contacting. They’re spent years developing their craft, figuring out everything they need to do to make it in that very niche genre, and this new photographer comes along and wants all of their knowledge. What are YOU offering them? Are you offering to shadow them for free, and do assistant work? Are you offering them money for coaching? Are you offering them ANYTHING at all other than a ‘thanks!’? Knowledge in the grand scheme of things may seem free, but someone’s time and talent isn’t. Reciprocity is also very much a huge thing. Given the current economic climate everyone in the world is dealing with, it’s hard to do things for so little, or for free, without something beneficial in return.

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    Also, I’d suggest that you reach out their their email, not IG. Explain that you would love to shadow them, work for free for them, or pay them. There’s valuable lessons learned when shadowing a professional. There’s also the option of contacting the management of bands you might like, local first, then move on from there. Offer to shoot for them during local concerts. Talk with venues, and promoters as well, they may be able to help you with getting a pass to shoot.Also look into people like Jeremy Saffer, who offers workshops on this. Or, just get out there and keep shooting. Set up an amazing website and blog, and showcase your best. Gear isn’t as important as understanding the situation you’re in, the lighting, and how to tackle it. You have to develop a keen eye for this sort of thing, and grow as an artist.

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    With that said, concert photography may or may not be sustainable depending on how well you put yourself out there, and make yourself known.A lot of bands choose to stick with the same photographer for tours. So, if you could get in tight with a band that tours, and they want you for said tour, awesome. But personally, find something that you want to shoot that will sustain your business overall, and leave the concert photography to a side gig, or hobby.