Most gig bookings go well. The ones that don’t share a pattern. A few warning signs, usually visible before the booking was even confirmed.
A portfolio that only shows a handful of hand-picked images, with no way to see a full session, is worth questioning. So is a photographer who won’t put pricing or inclusions in writing, or who is vague about turnaround time when asked directly.
Reviews matter, but so does how a photographer responds to a less glowing one. A pattern of clients mentioning late delivery, or images that didn’t match the portfolio’s standard, is worth more than a wall of five-star ratings with no detail behind them.
See also: Booking a gig in Notting Hill: what to know.
For everything this post didn’t cover, including current pricing, the Live Music page has the full picture, or reach out directly and ask.
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
Related reading below.