GA to Back Stage: Do’s, Don’ts, and First Shows
Last week we talked about how I got my start in this industry, writing about a show I was attending. This week we are going to dive into the rabbit hole that article sent me down and what I would do the same and differently if given the chance. I’m also going to tell you how I taught myself basic photography and got into my first show for free as a photographer, so buckle up and get ready to dive headfirst into the world of music media.
Learning the Ropes
With the success of my first article I was hooked. I took to writing as many articles as I could, still wanting to earn the trust of the MusicFestNews team. I wrote at least two dozen articles previewing music festivals far and wide in that next month or so, all the while trying to teach myself how to take pictures. I wanted to learn photography because, being the only team member in Tennessee and especially in the music haven that is Nashville, I knew I was going to need to be able to take my own photos to support all of the writing I was doing and wanted to do. I watched DOZENS of videos on YouTube learning concepts like aperture, ISO, and shutter speed. I watched every lens review, music photography gear and tip video, camera review, and anything else I could find that would tell me more about how to take photos like the great photographers I was working with. If I could make one suggestion, it would be to get a camera and look up all the videos you can telling you tips and tricks using that exact camera; they are out there, and they make a world of difference. My other big tip would be to not go for a lower-end brand new camera but instead do some research on how to buy and check over a used camera and then purchase a gently loved used midrange camera; something that is generally proven to hold up well at higher ISOs is what you want. You do not need to understand ISO yet, either, when making this purchase; just point yourself to Google, and you will generally find a good answer. Next, pick up an aftermarket lens. People have been trained to go for a big telephoto zoom lens by watching TV and movies, but when starting out grab yourself a prime lens in either 35 or 50 millimeter. Primes give you a better range of control and sharpness that you will need while you are learning to get everything dialed in just right and will force you to be more creative to get the shot.
Starting a Photography Portfolio
In March I made the voyage down to my second Okeechobee Music and Arts Festival, again on my own dime. The MusicFestNews roster had been filled before I joined the team, so I packed up my camera and headed to the grove in hopes of getting as many great shots from and of the crowd as I could, and I did just that. Going back to why I suggest starting out with buying a 35 or 50 mm lens to start out, these lenses are generally pretty small, and most festivals, Okeechobee included, will let you bring your camera in with these lenses on without any questions at security. I spent the whole weekend enjoying as many shows as I could and taking photos at every opportunity. I learned a ton that weekend about my own skills, the limitations of my camera, and just how much I truly loved taking pictures at shows. I had never experienced and loved a show as much as when I was shooting it. That was it; I was hooked; the photography bug took hold.
Gear: Things I Would and Would Not Buy Again
Shortly after my return from Okee, I got offered the opportunity by the MFN team to go to Bonnaroo on a media pass. That pass would let me take my camera into the main venue area with any lenses I wanted; it just would not let me into the photo pits. I accepted while tears rolled down my cheeks in excitement and quickly started planning. I must admit that I am generally that overprepared person in the group who brings way more stuff than I will ever use, and photography is no exception to this rule. I immediately decided that I needed a lot of gear to be ‘Roo ready, and started buying pieces here and there. I’m just going to list out all the stuff I picked up before ‘Roo and explain if I would or would not buy it again and why. Any time I mention saving money, that money would have been better spent buying another lens.
- Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L
- I would buy a cheaper bag to get started. This bag is GREAT, but I could have spent $100 less and bought another good bag. I really just wish it had a little more space because once I get my camera gear in it’s a full load and I’m regularly looking to be able to add in a jacket.
- Black Rapid Sport
- 10/10 would buy again. The strap is awesome, especially when you have a big 70-200 to haul around all day. My shoulder never got fatigued with this strap, and I never felt like my camera was not secure.
- Rocket Blower
- Essential for cleaning lenses.
- Knockoff SpiderPro Clip
- Wouldn’t buy again. It works great, but I just prefer the Black Rapid Strap. This is totally subjective, though, and you will see plenty of pros using both.
- Off-brand small bendable tripod
- Definitely worth the $30.
- Cheap Ball Head Tripod
- In reality I should have just saved some cash and bought a good monopod.
- Battery Grip
- I could have lived without this $84 investment in the grip, but the extra four batteries that came with it were worth it. At festivals, chargers are not rampant, even in the media areas, so having extra is valuable.
- Phone Gimble
- $100 that could have been saved. Fun to use, but for the amount that I have used the footage I could have spent that money otherwise.
- SD cards x2
- Necessity
- Flash
- I would not buy again for festival use, but in general photography it is worth having.
- Lens Ball
- I would save my money. Lots of fun shots to be had but heavy to cart around at a festival where your whole life lives on your back.
- Thinktank belt and bags
- Worth the purchase. Being able to change between a backpack and the belt/pouches may have saved my shoulders and back at Roo.
- Lightroom Subscription
- Necessity
- Website and Email Address
- Totally worth it, in the next section we will go in to how these come in to play.
- Business Cards
- Worth it! Half of this business is just networking. In all reality I cannot wait to get through my current stash so I can order even cooler ones next time!
Getting My First Photo Pass
After getting back from Okee, I could not wait to shoot another show. I quickly sat down and set up my website. I found a domain name that I thought would be memorable and set up shop. I bought TheFestLife.com and quickly laid out a site telling the world that I was a music and big-event writer and photographer. I added some of my favorite shots I had gotten and even paid for the zach@thefestlife.com email address, on top of quickly snagging @the_fest_life on social media. I then turned my eyes to upcoming shows in my area as well as events that had historically happened and began to email as many managers, promoters, and PR companies as I could. I would be lying to you if I said I made a million contacts and had gotten to go to every show I contacted. Truth is I got in direct contact with exactly four people after contacting 15 or more outlets. Fortunately for me, one of them was the promotional manager for one of my current favorite acts touring, Rainbow Kitten Surprise. My emails during this time regularly mentioned my work with MusicFestNews and that I would love to come to see the show/event and take some pictures and write a review to share to our readers. I do not think that my website/email address made or broke my chances with these contacts, but I have to think that they helped. if nothing else, they gave me a sense of self-confidence and legitimacy that I may not have felt if I was firing off emails from my regular old Gmail account.
Next Week
I’ll go over how that first show went, jitters and all. I’ll also talk about starting to request access to various music festivals such as the Beale Street Music Festival and how reporting on my first music festival went! (I will give you a hint: I wanted to die afterwards.)