Many careers and jobs in the music industry are not directly related to being a musician. Many jobs in the live music industry are related to journalism and photography.
If getting started in music journalism differs from your thing, and you are better at capturing energy through images, then music photography might be for you.
How to start a career in music photography
There are many ways to get started searching for a position within the music industry. You may be wondering if you should study photography or go to college. This guide will give you top photography tips to help launch your career.
Start small
Gaining as much experience as possible is essential, no matter how little. Even minor gigs or events can be a great way to build your portfolio and showcase your skills.
Freelance for local magazines
Freelancing is a great way to improve your photography portfolio. Most cities with a decent music scene have independent blogs. You should read them. These are always looking for photographers and journalists.
Press passes often allow you to attend concerts for free! It’s a win-win situation.
Expand your network
After gaining experience and confidence in live music photography, you can focus on expanding your music network. This is a critical component of success in the music industry, whether you’re a musician or a budding industry professional.
Use your social media profile to grow your brand and gain new bookings. You can also use social media to showcase your work.
Attend Industry Events
Getting out and meeting people in your local music scene is also essential. As you attend more and more events, others will recognize you, and event organizers will consider you for gigs. You might also find a music manager who can help your career.
Music Industry Conferences can help you find new jobs and build your network.
How to Become a music photographer
Lewis Evans is a photographer who has worked with some of the UK & Ireland’s biggest bands. He has toured Europe as an official photographer of acts like Inhaler & Bloomssoms and Arctic Monkeys. We spoke to him about how he got started in live music photography.
When did you first start taking photos of music
“I only had a little interest in photography once I went to University, where I studied Journalism. But after I started reviewing gigs, I felt that the payoff, both physically and in terms of the time spent, was not worth the effort.”
I got my first photo pass after pestering the photo editor of a small independent blog. “They always mention that I sent him duck photos at 2 am – the only photography examples. Somehow, it worked!”
Did you ever study photography
“I have never studied photography. This has pros and cons. I may not be as technically proficient as some of my peers, but I am glad I was able to dive in and find my style.
Resources are available everywhere, and I have always had friends I could lean on for any questions. In my experience, throwing yourself into situations while navigating through them can produce excellent results. I’ve had some fantastic mentors who have always encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone. ”
What tips would you offer someone who is just getting started in music photography
“Prioritize showing off your best works on social media. Don’t get caught in the Instagram façade of posting for the sake of it. I’ve always felt that self-critique is essential, and I still work on things constantly.
You’ll be amazed at how little you know about your camera. It’s obvious, but reading the manual from front to back will give you a wealth of information.
It is easy to burn out with the demands of touring and the current lifestyle. Listening to your body is not a sin; you should know what it can handle, even if that means missing out on some things. Health comes before wealth.
Always be encouraged by rejections or no’s. This is a part of being a photographer. But don’t be discouraged. Be persistent without becoming annoying. ”
What is the best part about being a photographer of music
Traveling and doing a job that I love is priceless. The work can be emotionally and physically draining, but if you balance it with fun, you’ll find that it is more than manageable. ”
Follow Lewis on Instagram to keep up with his photography, and visit his Website for inspiration.