Music Photography Guide: 6 Tips for Photographing Musicians

Music photography involves taking creative or commercial images of musicians and bands for album covers, promotional purposes, and concerts or other live performances. Music photography is a sought-after job that requires experience and a network of connections in the music industry. Aspiring music photographers should understand how to operate camera equipment, use editing software, and capture high-quality images under less-than-optimal conditions.

Music photographers have many different options for their careers, including:

1. 1. Album covers: Many bands hire a music photographer to shoot images for their albums, either on the cover, inside artwork, or rear cover (the back of the album). The photographer works closely with the band, its management, and label representatives to choose great shots to represent the music on the album.
2. 2. Concert photography: A concert photographer takes images of musicians or bands performing live music at clubs or large venues. This type of photography often requires joining other concert photographers in the “photo pit,” a small arena at the front of the stage that allows up-close access to the performer or band members. Tour photographers travel with bands and take images of their appearances at live venues or music festivals on the road.
3. 3. Print/online publication photography: Magazines, newspapers, and websites often hire music photographers to capture photos of a musician or band to accompany an exclusive interview with the band. The photographer works closely with the performers, management, and editorial staff to craft great photos for the layout.
4. 4. Promotional/licensing photography: Musicians, management, or music labels hire photographers to take photos of the performers for various promotional capacities. Performers may use these photos for magazine spreads, promotional websites, posters, T-shirt imaging, and advertising. Music photographers capture these images at photoshoots in a studio, on the sets of music videos, or during concerts.

Here are some tips to help you capture the best photographs of your subjects:

1. 1. Get good camera gear. Buy the best DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) camera equipment you can afford, and learn how to use them before capturing your first music photos. Fast lenses, such as the 24–70MM F/2.8 and 70–200MM F/2.8, can change focus quickly, which is ideal if you plan to shoot concerts where band members are in constant movement. Learn more about DSLR cameras in this complete guide.
2. 2. Shoot in RAW. RAW files—uncompressed digital files—allow photographers to capture the best concert photography because the low-light situations inherent to concerts require ample file room when adjusting exposure during post-processing. JPEG files won’t allow for as much room as RAW files.
3. 3. Use auto white balance or adjust in post. You can use your camera’s auto white balance setting to achieve the right color temperature or control the balance manually and adjust the colors in post-production. Learn how to adjust white balance.
4. 4. Adjust your focus and exposure as necessary. It’s important to understand camera settings for concert photography because of the unpredictable shooting conditions. Low lighting conditions at big shows and clubs require the right combination of fast shutter speed, wide aperture, and high ISO settings—between ISO 1600 and ISO 3200—to get a clear image. Low lighting also impacts focus, so use the center focus point for the clearest image. Aperture priority mode will automatically set these elements, but manual mode allows for more flexibility.
5. 5. Use spot metering when shooting subjects. Stage lighting often leaves one performer in full light and the rest in darkness. Spot metering allows you to set your exposure based on a small subject. Switch your camera to spot metering mode, frame the subject in your viewfinder, note the exposure settings, and take the picture. You can use matrix/evaluative mode to get light readings at several points in the image, but it may produce an overexposed photo.
6. 6. Avoid using flash photography. It’s important to turn off flash when shooting at a live performance because it distracts the performers and audience and produces low-quality photos.

There are several requirements for becoming a music photographer, including:

• Build a portfolio: Building an eye-catching portfolio is the first step in launching a music photography career. Go to as many shows as possible and practice taking pictures. Start small at local bars and clubs. Compile your best photographs in physical or digital form and present them to prospective clients.
• Make contacts: Get involved with your local music scene. Network with musicians, independent music labels, club owners, and publicists and offer to take pictures for them. Reach out to local newspapers, magazines, and websites about photo passes for live concerts. You may have to accept unpaid assignments, but they’ll give you both experience and photographs for your portfolio.
• Study the craft: Photography classes and DIY tutorials can help you understand cameras, lighting, and other technical aspects. Once you understand the basics, study the fine details. Watch concert footage to understand how a band lights their stage or interacts with each other while performing. This information can help you determine how to set up your shots.
• Experiment and branch out: As an aspiring photographer, it’s important to accept new challenges and learn from your mistakes. Professionals expand their talents and portfolios through constant experimentation. If you’ve never ventured into the photo pit and taken close-up shots of musicians, make a point of it at your next concert. If you’ve never worked with a particular genre of music—heavy metal or hip-hop, for example—explore any opportunities that might connect you with those musicians. Try new lighting, new film, and new shooting modes. Displaying versatility in your photography makes you more appealing to potential clients.

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