Photography for Concerts and Events
KDHX is a multi-media organization with great interest in and reliance on new technologies. Photography volunteers will work with the photography editor to produce, publish and curate photography content for the web. Assignments will include live musical performances, events and festivals.
Overview of Department: The Web Department is responsible for all writing and photography content published at kdhx.org. This includes managing KDHX’s volunteer writers and photographers, issuing assignments, editing content, facilitating press access to events when necessary, creating policies and workflows.
KDHX photography archives: kdhx.org/tag/photography.
Location: KDHX (3524 Washington Ave. St. Louis, MO 63103), offsite locations
Supervised by: Andy Coco
Tasks Performed:
- Request and receive assignments to cover concerts, in-studio performances and other events.
- Fulfill assignments within a 24-48 hour time frame.
- Understand and act according to the basic principles of concert photography etiquette.
Time Commitment: Flexible. Suggested 6-15 hours a month.
Qualifications:
- Reliable transportation and a reasonably flexible schedule.
- Competency with and ownership of a DSLR camera and lenses capable of shooting in low light situations without a flash.
- A photography portfolio demonstrating a variety of subjects, including photographs of people in low light situations and in motion.
For more information contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Scott Bahan at 314-664-3955 or email volunteer@kdhx.org
For more information about KDHX, please visit our website at kdhx.org.
Contents
Overview
This page discusses how a photographer can request to cover upcoming concerts, festivals and other events for KDHX.
Concerts, festivals and events
Photographers may submit requests via email to photography at kdhx.org with requests to cover specific shows.
Please include:
- - the date of the show
- - the name of the headlining band or artist
- - the venue name
- - copy of press release, if you have one (optional)
Approvals from the photo editor will be confirmed via email. Often groups with large followings will receive several requests. All interested parties are noted and an assignment will be made the month prior to the event date. 99% of all assignment decisions are based on a "first come, first served" principle, so early requests are recommended.
Actual confirmation of tickets and/or photo passes is often obtained within a few days of the event. We are not always able to guarantee that we will be able to obtain entrance, but we will try to the best of our abilities.
Overview
Photographing events and live sessions is a wonderful opportunity to shoot and possibly interact with up-and-coming musical acts, as well as established legends of the industry. KDHX takes great pride in the photographs that we publish at KDHX.org and, while scheduling hundreds of these events each year, is selective about the photos that are chosen and used in publication.
Although photographers are encouraged to be creative and to incorporate their own style, there are a few rules of thumb to take into consideration.
Standards
- Shoot with good, lens-removable type digital cameras. No point and shoots or cell phones.
- Do not use heavy filtering on the photos, i.e., shrink-wrapped, antiquing, postarization, etc.
- It is ok to change photos into black and white, crop them, perform color/light balance and corrections, etc.
- All rules of good composition and lighting apply.
- Avoid giving away free advertising; i.e., Starbucks cups, soda cans, etc.
- Note: Musical equipment is exempt and t-shirts almost impossible to avoid, but be mindful where you can.
In-studio sessions
- - Be courteous to the band members and do not impose on their performance.
- - Stay out of the line of sight of the video cameras.
- - Within 12 hours, deliver at least 10-12 photos at full resolution, plus at least one band portrait. See Band portrait for Live Performance articles for very specific details about this photo.
- Note: Shots of KDHX personnel are generally not used in the article as the band/performer is the main point of interest.
- Shots of KDHX personnel are used however in another Flickr collection, so if you get a good shot please include it but be forewarned it will not be used in the photo album for the session.
Overview
KDHX volunteer photographers shoot in all sizes of venues, from tiny clubs like the Magnolia Cafe and the Tavern of Fine Arts, up to the cavernous spaces of the Fox Theatre and the Scottrade Center. The artists and bands who are featured may be local, regional or a national act.
Some venues are very relaxed about their photo policy, while others are very strict and have many rules for photographers. Those with the strictest policies will be detailed below.
Credentials will vary based on the show and producer of the event. We always request a spot on the guest list or a ticket for the photographer, a "+1" ticket for a friend and a photo pass. Different variations may result; i.e., photo pass and one ticket for photographer, photo pass only, etc.
Credential confirmation
Approximately 7-10 days prior to a concert, an email request is sent to ask for tickets and a photo pass for the photographer. Often this request is sent to the artists' publicist, however there are several venues and/or producers in town that require that all requests go through them.
- Those exceptions are:
- - Pageant / Pagan Productions (inc. Duck Room at Blueberry Hill)
- - The Sheldon
- - Scottrade / Peabody
- - Live Nation
- - Fox Theater
- - The Touhill
- - New Music Circle
Requests for festivals are usually sent several months in advance and are submitted through a fill-in form on the festival website.
Confirmation response from publicists is often received within a few days. Venues often wait until a few days before the event to issue these credentials, however the Pageant may advise as late as 5 p.m. the day of the event.
As soon as confirmation is received, you will receive an email notification from the photo editor, confirming that you have been granted credentials. Please reply and advise that you have received confirmation. Also, print the email and take it to the show with you, as it may help clear up any potential miscommunications on the night of the show.
Ticketing and Credentials
If there is a box office at the venue, you can usually pick up your press pass there. Other venues will use a guest list, several guest lists as a matter of fact, so make sure that they check the appropriate one. Have your photo ID ready, as it may be required to receive your photo-pass.
Any other scenarios will likely be detailed in your confirmation email.
Photo Release Forms
- If a band requires you to sign a photo release before shooting and you do not agree to its terms, then you should walk away and not go through with the shoot. Walking away is perfectly fine. You are not obligated to sign a release that makes you feel uncomfortable.
- If you do sign a release, please make sure that KDHX receives a copy. The easiest way to do this is to take a clear, well-lit photo of the release with your phone. If you receive a release prior to the day of the show, then email a copy to photography at kdhx.org.
Shooting the show
Again, rules for shooting will vary from venue to venue. Some will allow you freedom to roam and shoot at your leisure, while others may restrict you to a designated area and/or shooting just a few songs of each act or set. Please follow all rules or requests made by the venue while you are acting as a KDHX representative.
Be respectful to your fellow photographers and of the audience around you at all times. This is not just for their benefit, but also for the safety of your equipment! Try not to shoot the entire show from the same spot and give others a chance to shoot from your location.
DO NOT use a flash while shooting.
Lighting
The lighting for shows at larger venues is usually very good, while smaller venues like the Firebird may have very limited lighting options; i.e., all red floods.
Be prepared for the possibility of any low level lighting condition, as well as dramatic changes in the color and lighting throughout the performance.
Lens Suggestions
Lenses that are most suitable for shooting concerts include all types of lenses; from wide angle lenses to your favorite telephoto lens. If you have more than one lens, we recommend taking a couple for obtaining the best range of images.
Venue specific
Pageant and Pagan Productions
Assignment Confirmation - Gaining access to these shows has become very difficult. For the most part, shows that are performed at the Pageant or produced by Pagan Productions will not yield entrance.
There are at times exceptions to this rule and these exceptions will be found in press releases that are distributed by Pageant/Pagan Productions. These press releases will often provide contact information associated with the artist.
The Sheldon
Assignment Confirmation - A few days prior to the concert.
Obtaining Press Passes - Usually asked to meet a Sheldon representative at a designated place and time who will escort you into the hall.
Shooting the Show - You may only shoot from the back of the hall, so take an appropriate lens with you. First three songs of each band, act or possibly set. DO NOT shoot from outside of the designated area or time-frame.
