Rock photographer

How to get on the road to rock stardom faster than you can say ‘Hello Wembley!'

Words Roger Payne & Pictures by Nick Lewis & Scarlet Page

You're reading this feature because you like a challenge. You don't want to make things easy for your photographic self, you fancy a crack at a career that's going to be tough to break into and harder still to truly establish yourself. Something that's more, well, rock 'n' roll. The good news is, you've come to the right place, this feature will furnish you with all you need to get started. The bad news? You're going to need to roll your sleeves up and get stuck in.

On the face of it, ‘rock photographer' is one of the world's more glamorous professions. Rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous be it on tour or in the studio is something that would get almost any photographer's nerves tingling. But to get to this position requires a grass roots approach; if you were thinking we were about to tell you how to become official photographer to U2 in three easy steps, you'd be best leafing past the next few pages.

Nowadays, almost everyone knows someone in a band and getting friendly with them and offering your services for free is a great apprenticeship. You'll quickly learn how to handle low and contrasty lighting and get used to dealing with a subject that's as unpredictable as a small child.
If you don't know any bands, try approaching local pubs and clubs. Don't go to established music venues just yet; it's important that you build up a portfolio. Your portfolio needn't be overflowing with images; 20 decent shots will suffice.

With a strong portfolio in the bag, it's time to approach either the larger venues or a band itself to get press accreditation for a gig. The best way to do this is to have a commission from a magazine or newspaper. Of course, it's easy to think big in such situations and approach titles like Q, Mojo or Kerrang!, but in the first instance it could be worth lowering your sights. Consider approaching local newspapers, magazines and websites. Be prepared for knock-backs, but if you're pictures are strong enough and you persevere, you will get lucky.

The three song rule

Having a press pass is, of course, only half the battle. Photographing a well-known band at a popular venue is challenging. For starters, access and time will be strictly limited. The general rule is the first three songs and no flash. You also have to factor in the other photographers that you'll be sharing the small area in front of the stage with. Space will be tight and everyone will want to be standing in the same spot. For this reason, you need to travel light, possibly use two bodies with two different lenses so you avoid having to change mid-song. You should also consider the people directly behind you, who did actually pay to come. The trick is to move around - you'll get a variety of framing options and are less likely to be hit on the back of the head with a plastic pint of beer.
Once your three songs are up and you're asked to leave, do so. Getting truculent with security is, by and large, ill advised. Not only are you likely to find your camera in an unusual part of your anatomy, but you'll stand no chance of being invited back.

The more you shoot, the better you'll get. Your ultimate aim, however, should be to get in with an agency, because it will market you as well as your images. Approaching an agency should be done with a strong portfolio and a willingness to go wherever, whenever. If you do get taken on by an agency, it will also look after the housekeeping side of the job so you can concentrate on getting strong images. Plus, if you're with a well-known agency, one day you could get that call to go on tour with a big name. But don't get too far ahead of yourself just yet, before you get into that position there's some serious work to be done.