What I love about music photography

Music photographers generally get three songs to capture that moment. It’s this time restraint that made me want to try my hand as being a concert photographer. The music industry has been kind enough to embrace me and my camera and allow me to capture more than those three songs. Every time I am shooting, I think about what the band needs in the images, whether they are using the photos on a poster or social media.

I started shooting bands in 2013. What I loved most about music photography is that I didn’t need to study photography to do it. I had my camera and a limited amount of time to create the concert photos. Those three songs I mentioned apply this huge amount of pressure that I live for. Making decisions on my shutter speed, aperture and ISO, all while considering the medium the photos will be displayed in. Music magazines might be dead, but that doesn’t mean demand has decreased.

Whether it’s shots of huge crowds, musicians painstakingly crafting the music that brings people together, or bands expelling endless energy recreating it in real time for thousands of people, it’s music photography that keeps my passion for photography alive. Having a small part in a band’s journey enhances my love for music that little bit more.

My music photography exhibition

In 2017, I held my first photography exhibition to showcase the more intimate side of music photography. Titled, ‘No Pits, Just Pits’, I focused on displaying big bands in small venues where there was no photo pit, just energetic mosh pits full of dedicated fans. I couldn’t think of a better place to hold it than at Crowbar Brisbane over Big Sound 2017.

Tom Lanyon from Ceres did the artwork for the four posters that featured Danny Beus from Dune Rats, Luke Henery of Violent Soho, Jake Laderman of Clowns, and Karina Utomo of High Tension.

The exhibition was named one of the top five things to do at Big Sound 2017, from the total of more than 330 events happening as part of the festival/conference.

Check out photos of the exhibition.

Touring

I currently tour with Violent Soho, WAAX, Dune Rats, Clowns, The Hard Aches, Camp Cope, Ceres, Skegss, Pagan among others.

I started working with Violent Soho in the lead-up to their third album’s launch – ‘WACO’. The first shoot I did with them was for the Like Soda clip, the first single from the album. You can see hundreds of photos over at the dedicated Violent Soho photo project I made for them. The guys have been so generous in giving me opportunity to showcase my work and contribute to their legacy as one of Australia’s leading rock groups.

Over the years, I’ve toured with all of the fantastic bands I currently work with and more. They also have dedicated photo projects with all the photos we have taken.

If you’re a band that is interested in having me at a show or on a tour, get in touch!