Introduction

Aspiring photographers often ask me, “How do I get on a photo assignment with a publication?”

Although shooting concerts for a notable publication is a dream come true for many photographers, pitching yourself to media outlets and actually landing an assignment can feel like a monumental task. In this blog post, I’ll provide you with a comprehensive roadmap to help you secure concert photo assignments with magazines, newspapers, and online publications.

Preparing Your Portfolio

Before approaching any publication, ensure you have honed your photography and editing skills, particularly in concert settings. Remember to only showcase your best work and highlight your ability to capture dynamic, well-composed shots in various lighting conditions. A diverse portfolio is key and should include a variety of close-ups, wide-angle, crowd shots, backstage moments, and artist portraits, as they all tell a story.

Understanding the Media Landscape

1. Create a target list of local and national publications that regularly cover live music. 

2. Compile a list of editorial email contacts. Generally speaking, you want to focus on the outlet’s shot-callers, so try to avoid titles like, “contributor” or “staff writer,” and look for “managing editor,” “photo editor,” “music editor,” “photo director,” etc.. All media outlets are different and some can be trickier to navigate than others; however, editorial contacts are usually listed on the publication’s “about“ or “contact” section of their website, or on their masthead.

3. Study each publication’s style and content; understand their visual preferences and editorial guidelines. I can’t emphasize this enough — be professional and do your research! You certainly don’t want to create a particularly awkward situation with a publication because you thought it was a good idea to ask the managing editor of XXL Magazine for approval to shoot a Kenny Chesney concert.

The Pitch

After identifying upcoming concerts that align with a publication's interests and audience, draft a succinct email (no more than 5-7 sentences) to the editor. Briefly introduce yourself and provide a compelling reason for why the assignment makes sense and should be considered. Keep open-ended questions to a minimum and be deliberate with what you’re asking for. Remember, editors are busy people and receive hundreds of pitches daily, so make their job easier by turning on your PR brain and drafting a concise, turn-key pitch that essentially creates the story for them. Keep it casual, but professional, and always include a link to your portfolio. 

Lastly, don’t put the cart before the horse. I would refrain from discussing monetary compensation in your initial pitch. If the publication is interested, they often provide you with their freelancer photo-usage rates, along with a deadline for assignment completion.

I’ve provided a generic pitch template below:

Subject: Photos: [Artist/Band Name] for [Name of Publication] – [“Name of Publication’s Feature/Column/Gallery”] Inclusion?

Hey there!

My name is [Your Name]. I am a [Your Title and Location] — click here to check out my work. [Artist/Band Name] is kicking off their [“Name of Tour”] at [Venue Name and Location] on [Show Date(s)]. I plan on attending the show and wanted to see if you’d consider featuring some of my shots in [“Name of Publication’s Feature/Column/Gallery”]. [Insert Compelling Sentence Explaining Why the Assignment Makes Sense for the Publication]. Let me know your thoughts on the above. If approved, I’ll reach out to venue PR about credentials and adding me to the attending media list. 

Best,

[Your Name/Title, Website Link, Social Handle(s)]

Once you have all of the specifics, your tailored pitch should look something like this:

Subject: Photos: Drake for Bob’s Music Blog – Live Music Roundup Inclusion?

Hey there!

My name is Donny Evans. I am a Nashville-based live music and celebrity portrait photographer — click here to check out my work. Drake is kicking off his “We’re Going Home” tour at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Saturday, November 11. I plan on attending the show and wanted to see if you’d consider featuring some of my shots in your weekly Live Music Roundup. I read BMB’s recent interview with Drake (hyperlink to article) where he discusses his new album and upcoming tour, and thought running some exclusive photos from his tour kick-off show would a perfect fit for your readership! Let me know your thoughts on the above. If approved, I’ll connect with venue PR about credentials and adding me to the attending media list. 

Best,

Donny Evans

Live Music & Celebrity Portrait Photographer

Socials: @iamdonnyevans

www.donnyevans.com

Securing the Assignment

When it comes to outreach, timing is crucial. Send your pitch well in advance of the concert date, typically 4-6 weeks prior, to ensure the publication has enough lead time to review and respond. If you don't receive a response within a reasonable timeframe, send a polite follow-up email, but don’t get discouraged if the editor is unresponsive or declines the proposed assignment altogether. This could be less about your pitch or abilities as a photographer, and more about their editorial bandwidth and priorities as a publication. Take it in stride, and move on.

Once your pitch is accepted, discuss assignment details, compensation, and expectations with the publication. Get clear direction on when they need the final images and always aim to have deliverables to the publication on or before the editorial deadline.

* Below are some of my recent Star Tracks placements for People.com

Preparing for the Assignment

Obtaining the necessary credentials to shoot a concert usually requires that you contact the venue directly. Most venue’s have a publicity or marketing person that handles media inquiries and their contact is often listed on the venue’s website; however, you can also try calling the venue’s box office and asking by phone in situations where contact information isn’t publicly available. 

Next, draft your email to the venue. It should look something like:

Subject: [Artist/Band Name] Photo Pass Request – [Name of Publication]

Hey there!

[Your Name] here with [Name of Publication]. I'm reaching out to see if I could get credentialed to shoot [Artist/Band Name’s] show at [Venue Name] on [Date]. My assigning editor is CC'd for visibility. Here's a link to an example of the type of coverage we’d like to run: [Insert Link].

Can you let me know at your earliest convenience if this is possible?

Thanks,

[Your Name/Title, Website Link, Social Handle(s)]

Shooting the Concert

1. Arrive Early: plan to arrive at the venue well before the scheduled start time to pick up your credentials and set up your gear.

2. Communicate with Venue Staff: it’s always a good idea to establish a rapport with venue security and staff to ensure smooth access to the designated photo area(s).

3. Capture the Moment: focus on capturing dynamic and emotive shots that tell a compelling story of the concert.

Post-Processing and Submission

1. Edit and Select Photos: review and edit your photos to ensure they meet the publication's quality standards. Select a range of images that offer variety and convey the energy of the concert.

2. Meet Deadlines: submit your edited photos to the publication on or before the agreed-upon deadline.

Building Long-Term Relationships

1. Thank the Publication: when submitting your final images, express your gratitude to the publication for the opportunity.

2. Maintain Contact: stay in touch with the publication's editors and pitch new ideas for future assignments.

3. Continue to Improve: keep honing your concert photography skills and expanding your portfolio.

Conclusion

Securing photo assignments to shoot concerts for publications is a rewarding journey that requires dedication, skill, and persistence. By following this comprehensive guide, you can increase your chances of landing assignments and capturing the magic of live music for a wide audience. Keep refining your craft, building relationships, and sharing your passion for music through your lens.

Good luck and keep shooting!