How to Photography at Concerts

[avarela86]

Well I think the title is somewhat broad. I am going to a Dave Matthews Band concert in the next few months and I REALLY I mean REALLY want to get up close and take some shots. I assume that I need to contact the venue and apply for a media pass only I already bought guest tickets? I dont plan on selling the pictures it's only going to be for my own use. The venue does not let professional photography inside so what do I do? Really just lost on this. Thanks in advance for the info.

-Fredo

[DDCSD]

Highly doubt they'll let you in with your camera. The venue really has minimal control over this, its the band's management that mostly would control this unless it is a large festival.

You can try to contact the band's management and/or publicist for a photo pass. The worst that can happen is that they say "no".

Have you ever shot a concert before? If you have, be sure to include a link to a gallery of some of your work.

And do not misrepresent yourself. Be 100% honest about who you are.

[Madgwick]

Good luck!! You can always try the "sneak" equip in, I've successfully done this several times, nice pair of cargo pants, lens in one pocket body in another, Only bring the BARE minimum your going to need to use so you don't bulk up to much, or if you have some friends going have them each grab a lens as most security guards only really check your stubs and not your pockets.

[René Damkot]

You can always try the "sneak" equip in
Bad advise iMO...

[avarela86]

Yeah I don't think im gonna risk getting my stuff confiscated or damaged simply to sneak in pictures that I am keeping for myself. I will try to contact both the venue and the bands people and see what I can work out. Thanks guys.

[ChrisRabior]

DMB eh? And you're not shooting for a blog/newspaper/agency/publication? There's not much of a chance you're going to get access.

Don't wanna sound harsh, but here's the scenario. I'll guarantee you that there are plenty of established concert photographers in your area that have worked their way up shooting local groups nobody's heard of before.. who have portfolios that would blow you away.. and who have the backing of a publication. You're competing with those people. They're going to be applying for the same credentials as you're going for.

Until you can come up with a reason why a venue/label/artist should give you a pass instead of the established photographer, the answer will almost undoubtedly be no (assuming they take the time to respond to you at all).

[avarela86]

I get what you mean, I still haven't contacted anyone though. I'm a but preoccupied with work and school. I'll just bring the point and shoot i've decided. I wanted just to take them for myself in all honesty and not try to get compensation etc. but unfortunately the world has gotten so corrupt these days honest words aren't a good policy anymore. It's all about sell sell sell. :-(

[narlus]

it's not just about that, it's about limited spots in the photo pit for established shooters who are on assignment, and not just shooting for themselves.

[blackshadow]

I get what you mean, I still haven't contacted anyone though. I'm a but preoccupied with work and school. I'll just bring the point and shoot i've decided. I wanted just to take them for myself in all honesty and not try to get compensation etc. but unfortunately the world has gotten so corrupt these days honest words aren't a good policy anymore. It's all about sell sell sell. :-(

It's got nothing to do with corruption.

Photo passes are issued to photographers in the expectation that their work will be published to promote the show. Issuing a pass to a guy with a camera isn't going to achieve that and as narlus pointed out spots are usually limited due to space restrictions - plenty of times professional music shooters miss out on passes to high profile acts (I've had two declined this week).

If you're not a working photographer and have tickets to the show - just go along and enjoy yourself.

[avarela86]

It's got nothing to do with corruption.

Photo passes are issued to photographers in the expectation that their work will be published to promote the show. Issuing a pass to a guy with a camera isn't going to achieve that and as narlus pointed out spots are usually limited due to space restrictions - plenty of times professional music shooters miss out on passes to high profile acts (I've had two declined this week).

If you're not a working photographer and have tickets to the show - just go along and enjoy yourself.

I gotcha...appreciate all the info guys. I went last night to the concert and to much dismay counted about 12 or so DSLRS and L lenses on the field. Guess the venue wasn't that picky in the end. Like someone mentioned in the older post it depends on the artists publicists. I got another concert coming up well see what I do for this one.