Last week, I asked a simple question to my Twitter followers:
“What's the hardest part about being a music photographer?”
Here's how you responded.
@crickontour: Night's like last night, show starts at 8pm, lead act on at 12:15am, editing complete at 4am, sleep till noon next day. Repeat!
@hybrid756: Hardest thing I would say is starting out with no clue how the business works. That, and badly placed smoke machines!
@Sara_Holla: Not having a Y chromosome/people thinking you're only in it to sleep with the band/d-bag security guards. (Yes, I'm bitter.)
@emily9980: Counting to three! Haha, they always have to tap my shoulder or something…
@Pixgremlin: I think the hard parts make it a challenge for me, but I must say it can be the management & their incompetence regarding ©.
@TheOnlyIzak: Mosh pits.
@redwallphoto: The late nights and deadlines, especially when also working a separate full-time job. The shooting challenges are the fun part :)
@sebbux: Having multiple terabyte external drives sprawled out across your desk… and needing more in a few months time anyway!
@xdonniex: For me, making the band feel comfortable in front of the camera, especially when they are just starting out (aka not famous)!
@fvphoto: Being respected as an artist and not just someone who sprays & prays.
@giloscope: Industry types who forget/never intended to sort your photo-pass.
@sk8bette: The unpredictable nature of it. Everything changes from shoot to shoot: lighting, crowds, performers, energy, permissions, etc.)
@dokool: Going to a show as a normal attendee, looking up from the mosh pit, and wishing you had your gear with you.
@jasonsheesley: Convincing young bands of the value of quality images, regardless of cost.
@minkus: Keeping the camera steady when it's your favorite band.
@evatography: Making $ and putting in requests/dealing with pr/management types. Shooting a show is the easiest most enjoyable part of it all.
@victoriapk: Lighting, lighting, lighting. Every venue & show is different…
@shotbykim: The schedule is rough; you are always out shooting shows while your friends are out drinking/dinner etc.
@xdonniex: Trying to reach a personal style without taking too much inspiration from other pros.
@benyacobi: Marketing oneself.
@ailinglu: The hardest part of being a music photographer… is when you stop taking pictures of the band.
@scorpiusdiamond: 1) Rejection 2) Liquids 3) The unexpected.
@simplyjenn: Getting the lighting to line up with the shot. And getting the shot at the right angle.
@delineated: Finding time to properly edit each show set before getting too backed up. Not easy when shooting multiple shows/week.
@LizFromStLouis: The hardest part: Being taken seriously when you're a girl photog at at pop-punk show.
Have Your Say
Agree? Disagree? What do you do you think is the hardest part of being a music photographer?
Add your answer below or hit me up on Twitter via @toddowyoung.
