About
My name is Todd Owyoung, and I love the rock show. I’m a freelance photographer specializing in live music photography and band portraits.
My work has appeared in publications such as Rolling Stone, the New York Times, SPIN, Billboard, Entertainment Weekly, Alternative Press, The Boston Globe, The Village Voice, Metal Hammer, and Harper’s Bazaar.
Clients include Atlantic Records, Universal Music Group, Live Nation, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Wrangler Jeans, Fuse TV, and Dave Matthews Band.
I graduated from Washington University in St. Louis magna cum laude with a BFA in Visual Communications. Throughout the year, on average, I photograph four to six bands a week. I drink tea everyday.
I am available for national and international assignments. Please get in touch and let’s talk rock photography.
SERVICES
- Live Music Photography
- Band Portraits
- Whoop Ass
From sold out stadium shows to smoky basement gigs, compelling band portraits, or creative for a national campaign, if it rocks and rolls, I can photograph it.
Contact me to discuss rates and how I can deliver a chokeslam of music photography for your creative needs.
CONTACT INFO
- Email: info@ishootshows.com
- Phone: 314.313.4091
Hey Thomas, thanks very much. I travels abroad as much as I can, but so far my gig photography work has only been in the domestic US. I’d love to take on an assignment in Europe or Asia, though. We’ll have to see what the next year brings!
Thanks again.
First, just wanted to say that your work is amazing! Second, something like this is pretty much my dream job, so thanks so much for the section on your gear and the tips in the FAQ. Unfortunately, I’m not in a position right now to even think about buying equipment, and most of the shows I go to either don’t allow cameras to be brought in or I’m too worried about having a nice camera in the pit with me to bring one. But anyway, thanks again for all the info-I’m sure I can make good use of it someday :)
Hey Todd!
You take really GREAT pictures :D
(okay, everyone knows that)
can you recommend me a camera ou tell me what one do you use?
OH!
sorry, i didnt see the GEAR GUIDE :(
you can delete that comment!
I’m very impressed by your work! I do some concert photography myself but I’m not as good as you! What equipment do you use? I’m considering in investing in a better camera soon and I’m looking around for opinions. Would be very grateful if I could get yours :)
Heather x
That totally rocks that you drink tea everyday! Love it! ;)
Heather: Thanks for the kind words. Please see the “Gear Guide” for the equipment I use, it’s all listed there!
Erin: High mountain oolong!
Holy Moly?! Todd is that you?! I just stumbled across this website, and couldn’t believe my eyes! How long have you been doing this? Everything looks amazing!
-Mariana
Hi Mariana, thanks for taking the time to comment, I’m glad to hear you enjoy the work. In March, I’ll be celebrating the third anniversary of when I first shot a concert.
hi there!! I really love your work. Like yourself I’ve had 2 passions collide, music and photography. I’ve had some training in both fields. I’ve recently been taking photos of some Canadian classic rock acts and it’s become something I really enjoy. Most bands members are friends. I haven’t done any professional stuff ..yet! I’d really like to continue in this direction but really don’t know where to begin. My question is “How do I get permission If I do choose to publish any photos?”
[...] and rock-show lover Todd Owyoung has posted a series of pictures from the November 26 Smashing Pumpkins concert in St. [...]
Hey Todd!
I ADORE your work. I was wondering if i could use the Gym Class Hero’s Pics and the AC/DC Pics. This would be for a non-profit, personal signature thing i do.
Please get back to me.
I love you’re work, you truly inspire me. When I have to go out and take another f’ing picture of Princess Diana, I’m always lifted from my sense of depression about the daily grind when I read your profile page that I have printed out and stored safely in my camera bag.
Yours,
Sir Davey B
Todd
When you say “I developed this site based on a template by Will Wilkins, whose link you’ll find below (IAMWW).” can you elaborate, if I wanted to create a site simular to yours using WordPress then I could choose a template, ie Will Wilkins? Is this a WordPress template or do you buy it from Will?
Thanks
Hi Lewis,
Will Wilkins is a WordPress developer, and I have modified a theme that he coded. ishootshows.com is based on an older, public theme that Will designed, but his current theme with similar functionality is the IAMWW W2 DnD.
There are actually quite a few concert photography blogs that use the DnD theme now, interestingly enough.
Hey,
I was just wondering if you ever let people ghost you?
-SAM
Hey Sam,
I’m not taking interns at this time, but I will let you know if that changes. Thanks for the interest!
Todd
I just shot a series bands at a small venue that had intense red lighting.Do you use any special filters when shooting live or special applications in the editing phase to help reduce or offset too much red lighting issue? I read where you use Noise Ninja and wondered if tehre was some magic app, like Red Reducer, haha!
Lewis,
I received your Q&A submission, thanks.
Hi there Todd – I stumbled across your site and am very pleased I did so. Absolutely pristine work! I too have found my niche in complementing the love for music and photography. I hesitate to say you are very lucky doing what you’re doing because that would downplay your eye for creativity and your skills – so I’ll just say fantastic photos and I will be bookmarking this site. If you can give me any tips in order to head in the right direction, that would be muchly appreciated! – See my website above and let me know what you think. Take care. Ant (from London)
Hi Todd! Love your photos. I saw an article at Photoshelter by someone named Chris Owyoung with a site and style similar to yours:
http://onelouderphoto.com/
Are you related? Or are you going under cover as another concert photographer? I am curious :)
cheers
Irina
Hey Todd!!! I love your photography and i am thinking of being a concert photographer. im about to go to college so is there anything i should major in specifically to become a professional concert photographer? Thanks a ton a keep taking amazing photos
Todd, what image gallery wordpress plugin do you use? I’ve had no luck finding any that seem to work as well as yours!
Hi Todd!
Just wanted to say your photos are beautiful! I always thought about getting into photography and still consider it from time to time. I’m so happy I’ve found your site, reading through some of your tutorials has made that interest come alive again. Great site!
All the best,
Heidi
Thanks for the kind words, Heidi.
Mr.Todd :),
I’m currently doing a report on a photographer that catches my interest (that’s YOU), but it’s come to my attention that there’s little to no information on your, my dear. Couple questions if you’ve got the time. Where did you grow up? How long’ve you been photographing? College? Major?
Sorry if I’ve overlooked the answer to any of these. Any other fun facts tossed in might be cool, too, if you’re willing to share. :)
Truly awesome work, btw.
love your work! just came back from the machine head show in long island. my second concert i shot. i love it! my new love in life.
Hi Todd!
I saw your site mentioned on Twitter through @Adoramalearn and I just wanted to say keep up the great work. I shoot shows on a freelance basis in Orlando, but I have lots of room to grow. Again, gorgeous shots.
Hey Amanda,
Thanks for the support, I really appreciate it. Very cool to see Adorama tweet up the site.
Hi Todd,
I’m a amateur photographer. I always use Nikon Capture NX to convert my photo from .nef to .jpg, but there’s one thing makes me crazy. when i use non-Nikon software such as ACR or lightroom open .nef files, i find the photos are so bad, the color is not vivid as it opened in Nikon NX, you can refer to this webpage:
https://n4flbg.bay.livefilestore.com/y1m0zn1u6dMu-MiigvTOXyd87b0omdcqLqKSqLp9yoSDxzvYpkUenU_oyV8K_In4dj4VskSdiaC9cxAc3OWHdFc8dPDVTLiogyVTx7-CWQUhX-_Szljjs_aUW1koLl2Q5dDnd_s6hQSq4Ar-PSX47H3UQ/%E5%AF%B9%E6%AF%944.jpg
left one is opened in Adobe Camera Raw, right one is opened in Nikon NX. very different,right??? Do you know how to avoid this situation happen?? er. I mean I want to open .nef in ACR is as vivid as it opened in NX, any advice? Many tks!!
Hi Tutuit,
When using RAW converters other than Nikon’s Capture NX, you’re almost always going to get a different rendition of the image, not only color, but detail and the way noise is rendered, too. I just did this comparison between Lightroom 3 Beta and Nikon Capture NX 2 that you might find interesting:
http://ishootshows.com/2010/01/22/lightroom-3-vs-nikon-capture-nx-2/
Generally speaking, I think NX is still the way to go for NEF files, but if you have to use other converters like Lightroom or ACR, try using custom profiles specifically for the camera you’re using whenever possible. There are profiles others have made available on the web, otherwise it’s going to require a lot of tweaking on your end. Good luck.
Hey there! I was just browsing this site (thanks to futurerocklegends.com) and I was surprised to see you’re from St. Louis like me! I’ve taken pictures of shows here before as well, though I’m not a so-called professional (or at least one that’s lucky to get a photo pass). Photography is just a side hobby for me anyway. Good work here and keep it up and maybe I’ll see you at a show soon
Hey Todd,
Amazing, brilliant work man. Keep rockin!
Thanks, Raffy, I appreciate it.
I can’t find words to describe how much I admire your photographs.
I’m… I’m… holy cow, I’m really speechless. You’re amazing!
Hey were you at the Alesana show on Feb. 24th?
Hi, love your work its amazing!
am looking to create a background for an upcoming event and was wondering where you got the picture for your “i shoot shows” lettering? if its cool? if not no worries, keep up what your doing its awesome!
Hey Todd,
I’ve been into your work for awhile now. I’m a music photographer as well. I just had a few questions for you if you don’t mind.
I was wondering what publications you’re always shooting for that you get to shoot so many concerts. And since they’re up on your site, I’m assuming you retain full copyright to them? I’m 23 and have been shooting concerts since I was 19 and I’m really trying to learn the business aspect of it all now. Did you go on portfolio reviews to land the jobs for magazines and record labels?
Thank you!