Local Concert Photography - Contract required?

Hi everyone,
So, I recently was offered to do concert photography this summer that features some well known acts in exchange for concert tickets at each event. I will meet soon with the organizer to work out details but my question is do I need some sort of release or contract? Not knowing exactly what the pictures are to be used for, is a verbal agreement good enough or do I need to come up with a written contract? I'm strictly a hobbyist and the exchange for the tickets are good enough for me.

I really don't care what they use my pictures for but I'm assuming they'll be used for local advertising purposes. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

You really want something in writing that says what they intend to use the images for and that you retain copyright. Its a reasonable trade you are agreeing to, but some sort of agreement, it can be as simple as an email making clear whats expected of both parties is a good idea.

Thank you! I just didn't know if i needed some sort of "official" document. The contract/release stuff is totally new to me.

Just be aware that if this is a venue or promoter asking you and the acts are really big name, each act will have their own rider that detail what you can and can't do.

Where I am, the local concert venue has a similar deal with a local photographer. He gets tickets to each event, and he providers a photographer to shoot the event. For concerts, that entails showing up just before the main act, being escorted to the photographer gallery, shooting songs 1-3, being escorted out. At which time he can go put his camera gear in is car and come back and watch the rest of the show from his seats.

3 songs is the standard. you don't get the whole show, and it is the Act that makes that call, not the Venue or the Promoter.

I have shot a couple for this guy as a favor, but I give the free tickets to my wife and son, since I will never leave my gear in a car unattended, just not going to happen.

Also some acts will not allow you to use the photos in your portfolio, others will. It really depends on the Act.

Just clarify what is expected and what you actually are getting

hope this helps

iwannabe wrote in post #16838732
Hi everyone,
So, I recently was offered to do concert photography this summer that features some well known acts in exchange for concert tickets at each event. I will meet soon with the organizer to work out details but my question is do I need some sort of release or contract? Not knowing exactly what the pictures are to be used for, is a verbal agreement good enough or do I need to come up with a written contract? I'm strictly a hobbyist and the exchange for the tickets are good enough for me.

I really don't care what they use my pictures for but I'm assuming they'll be used for local advertising purposes. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

What you are probably being asked to be is the house photographer, without you even knowing it. The terms are not far from the truth for a good amount of house photographers, but you really should educate yourself. I'm not going to get into the whole money, what your worth thing, because in time, that penny will drop on it's own. What you need to understand is, the establishment will take your images and use them to promote their own business on print and digital media. I'm not sure about the release thing, but I'm confident that the contract between band and house is probably boiler plate to the language of, "whatever images the house shoots, can be used by the house for marketing and advertising", to similar effect.

The only term you probably should throw at them is, "ok, you want my images for use, i want to work exclusively". So the only other pit person is from the act or local media. They'll soon kick you to the curb if your shots are useless.

You may get a little more freedom than the average Joe or even local media sources, but at the end of the day, you just get a cool seat, roam around in the pit, side and rear, bouncers give you space unless you tick them off, kids will land on you from the mosh. Take a couple of lens', shoot from all over the place (even way in the back). Get good shots of the crowd. Even get a Go Pro and strap it to your head.

Use year one as the learning curve to being a rock photographer. Then year two, you go into a legit contract with the house and do it right.

Year one, rock on and get some cool shots. Worry about the rest later. Oh, and get the tag line credit. You'll hear plenty on here about "credit don't pay bills", but if your not worried about what your really due, and you don't care, last thing you want to do is get into a pissin match with the owner about how he owes you money every time you turn up. Let your work speak for itself, and if this place turns into something of a hot spot, you'll have the golden ticket. Study up on all the current rock togs, they'll tell you they started shooting freebies.

Here's my one hit wonder in the bars. Had a blast. Cameron Liddell and Stage Diver

Its important to understand a few things. A contract is usually between you and the client/venue to establish terms and payments. A model release is between you and the subject to confirm you have permission to use the images in your portfolio or commercial/retail use.

No smart band will sign a broad release for portfolio or commercial use to a venue photographer, and in fact most will provide their own contract of restrictions for use of any photos you shoot. Most bands have a contract that allows publication of the images only by the specified client for a specific time frame, and will usually not allow any personal portfolio use by the photographer. The very largest media outlets such as Rolling Stone and Getty Images may have some leverage to negotiate less restrictions in exchange for valuable publicity, but a small venue will not.

Since releases are required of the publisher, use of the images in advertising by the venue is their concern, not yours. Your concern is for your own portfolio and advertising, and in only a few cases may shoot some bands that do not restrict the photos to your personal portfolio.

Music photography is usually handled more casually without contracts. Meeting the expectations for good photographs, submission on deadline, and prompt payment are bigger concerns.

-Scott

Thanks Eveyone! Lovin' the input!
Just to be clear, I have experience in concert photography through another local venue (about 6 years). In fact, that's how i've been offered this opportunity. The other venue, at a botanical garden, gives me a membership in exchange for my services and have only used my pictures on FB and their website. There's never been a signed agreement and I've never had any issues. My concern is mainly with shooting national acts vs. mostly regional acts. I just want to cover my bases but maybe I'm being too cautious. You've given great advice for my consideration.