Shot list for concert photography

This is a shot list that's made to make sure we don't forget to take photos of something important while we're photographing events. This is the MINIMUM list of what you should take pictures of. There's always room to be creative and take photos of other things or to use other angles that look interesting.

Key mantra: We shall not be in the way of the audience who have paid to be at the event. Don't spend too much time in a single spot if you can be perceived as an obstruction for people

Entry

It's good to get some shots that people are arriving at the venue, and queueing up to enter the event. Try to capture the anticipation on people's faces, and groups of people having a laugh while waiting. Does this event have a particularly long queue? Are people wearing costumes? Let's capture what's unique to THIS event in particular!

Entry shot list:

• The Queue - Usually at different times during entry
• Close-ups of happy people queueing - These people are literally just waiting in a queue. Go talk to them and ask if you can take their photo
• Ticket scan - Can we get some pics of people getting processed to enter? I usually ask specific people if i may take their photo here. Note: Not all venues like photos from this area

The concert / Band members

A concert photography shot list wouldn't be complete if we didn't take photos of the artists on stage. These are the shots i usually try to capture:

• Close-ups of the lead artist (and preferably each of the band members)
• Overview wide shot of the entire stage
• Overview wide shots of the entire stage, with the audience in frame

Please note: If this is a commercial shoot for the venue, artist photos that does not meaningfully show the venue will not be useful.

The audience

Live events are no good without people experiencing it. Let's focus on capturing the crowd and people having the time of their lives at this event.

• An overview of the entire crowd to show how many people attended the show
• Photos of people, from the "media pit". You're usually just allowed access for a few songs, so you better use it! (This is your best chance to get an audience with faces)
  • How's the atmosphere?
  • What does the people on the first row think of the show?
  • Can we get some reactions of people paying attention to the camera?
• (Optional) Is there anything special happening in the crowds? Are people dancing? Headbanging? Capture it!
• Photos of small groups of people having the time of their lives (Close ups, often from pit)

Special Effects (SFX)

Venues and hosts often pride themselves on the things that make their venue or event special. Special effects is very important to capture, although it can be quite tricky. Talk to the hosts and technicians to get an overview and maybe a cue you can wait for. It sucks to miss a curtain drop, confetti launches, or pyro cause you didn't know it was going to happen.

• Will they use pyro? Capture it!
• Will they fire confetti cannnons? Capture it!
• Is there a curtain drop? Capture it!

Crew

You may not need to capture every single person in the crew at every event, but get at least a few photos of crew at work at the different functions. Events and venues use these kinds of photos exensively for hiring, volunteer recruiting, and promotional purposes.

• Bar & Food crew - Are they working on tapping a drink? Are they serving people with a smile?
• Technical crew at work - are they rigging something? Occupying the sound board?
• Entry - Already mentioned, but try to capture the great entry experience and the people responsible for it
• Security - A lot of venues don't like photos of security in action, but you may ask the security crew if they can pose and look friendly

Sponsor material & venue

This is one of the more important categories to cover. Make sure people know where the event took place. Is there any sponsor material up? Capture it. Event hosts are often required to document that these things are seen by people.

• Any banners that hangs
• Any sponsor stands
• Any sign or other marketing material that is posted up
• Are there logos on a digital screen? Capture that as well.
• Is the bar sponsored and have special cups? Capture it!

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