I often feel privileged to have this opportunity, and very grateful to mix it with other photographers to get those few images from a night of shooting Live music. Three songs no flash, get in there and out and come home with the best possible shots. Some nights are more difficult than others. Sometimes I can get frustrated that during the first three songs the lighting person is asleep! The best lighting of the gig is when it's all over and it's time to leave the photo pit. The rewarding thing is though the fact you get to watch the band perform knowing that you have done all you can. You have the opportunity to see the gig without the camera. Whilst you look on to see the punters watching the gig live via their mobile phone. As a photographer you can only laugh at the sight of "shaky drunk cam" thinking wow that will look shit tomorrow morning. Maybe it would have been better to actually watch and enjoy the gig through your eyes and take home the experience. Rather than bringing home a dodgy shaky drunk camera with shit audio explaining to your mates. "It sounds pretty shit on the phone but man it was so good LIVE".
Some nights you get blown away with vocal performances of solo artist like here with Adalita. What an amazing voice and an amazing storyteller. This was shot Australia Day 2015 at the Prince of Wales Hotel in St Kilda , Melbourne.
Promotional Photography
"Promotional shots for bands are a great challenge to come up with inventive ways to capture the band and their personality."
I thrive on the opportunities that come from the lighting challenges that live band photography brings. It's refreshing to have the chance to do some promo shots. Promotional shots for bands are a great challenge to come up with inventive ways to capture the band and their personality. Finding interesting locations. More importantly the ability to control the light, to help shape the subject and the environment.