A good gig is shaped as much by what happens on either side of it as by the session itself.
Before: confirm the brief in writing, sort out what you’re wearing or bringing, and build in time either side of the session so there’s no rushing in or straight back out again the moment it wraps.
During: trust the direction. Most people relax within ten minutes.
After: review the proofing gallery properly rather than rushing a decision, and flag any specific retouching requests clearly so nothing gets missed in the final files.
See also: What a lot of photographers get wrong about a gig.
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FAQs
Straight answers below.
How do you capture the feeling of a gig, not just the band?
By shooting the whole room, not only the stage. The faces in the crowd, the hands in the air, the light hanging in the haze carry the feeling to anyone who sees the photos afterwards.
Can you shoot in low light without flash?
Yes, that is most of the job. Gigs and small venues get shot available-light wherever possible, so the atmosphere stays intact instead of getting flattened by flash.
Further reading
More on this, if useful.
- How lighting changes the result of a gig
- Hidden costs to ask about before booking a gig
- Can I request a specific style or mood for my gig?
The steps
In short, it runs like this.
- Before. Confirm the brief in writing, sort out what to wear or bring, and build in time either side.
- During. Trust the direction you're given. Most people relax within the first ten minutes.
- After. Review the proofing gallery properly and flag retouching requests clearly.