Photography At Gigs/Concerts

[HIM666HIM]

Right well this may seem like a silly question
But im an amature/free lance photographer and as you know if you go to gigs theres always photographers at the front taking photos, basically i was just wondering how i would go about doing that aswell. would i need a special photography pass or something for it?

Any info will help!
Cheers
Marcus

www.myspace.com/m_powellphotos

[V2 Schneider]

Well for starters the ones at the front are probably not freelance the same as you. They are contarcated to NME, newspapers, the actual music industry etc.

With local events some may also have a press pass for whatever local rag they work for.

The only way a truly independent photographer would get to the front is via invitation only. But who will you sell the snaps to when there are contracted photographers there?

Put the feelers around, get a portfolio and send to as many publications as possible. Get a name for yourself, get an invitation and bob's your uncle.

Otherwise just be a paparazzi which is a free for all.

[ELVIS68]

Blag your way to to the front, get yourself a fake ID card and try it,
I have a Racing Post ID card and I show it to the bloke at the entrance when I go racing or to the dogs,it works all the time, you just need the front to do it

[rasmus]

If you get any pics at a Him concert,i`d buy one.

[saxy_jag]

Yes, you would need a pass. You'd need to contact either the venue or the artist/tour management (the former will often refer you back to the latter) and ask for permission to take photographs, although you're only likely to get it if you can prove that you're a 'professional' freelancer or employed by the press.

I see you're on Myspace. Why not contact some bands via that and ask? It would help if you could show some of your previous work and and cite some of your clients/customers.