FAQ

Please read through the following questions. If you haven’t found the answer you are looking for, you may leave me a comment on this page and I will reply as soon as I can. For immediate assistance on anything you don’t find here, please refer to my contact page and e-mail me directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of equipment do you use?

I use Canon cameras & lenses. Sandisk Flash Cards and Tamrac carrying systems. For photo editing, I use Photoshop CS3 and I very seldom use Adobe Lightroom for color enhancement.

How did you start in concert photography?

For as long as I can remember I have always been fascinated by artistic photography, particularly landscape and wildlife photos. In High School I took Journalism, which interested me as a writer. However, it wasn’t until I was promoted to Journalism Honors that my interest in writing plummeted, and instead my interest in photography grew. In 2006, I attended a Rock Festival in Atlanta. I noticed the work of Todd Brown, the former official photographer of the event, whose pictures sparked my interest in combining music (already a passion of mine), with photography. I contacted Todd with many questions regarding equipment, until I was finally able to make up my mind. In May of 2007, after saving up enough money, I finally purchased my first DSLR. Two days later I was on a plane headed to New York City to shoot the ‘Hottest Chicks in Metal’ tour. Afterward I knew this was something I wanted to pursue, and I have been addicted since.

Have you ever studied photography?

All of my experience comes from my trial and error. However, I am currently a student now, working at two degrees in Photographic Technology & Graphic Design.

How do you become approved with photo passes?

Every situation varies. A publication, third-party contact, and in some cases it is arranged directly through the band.

What kind of equipment should I buy?

Purchasing equipment for the first time should take planning and lots of thought before making the investment. First, analyze whether photography is a field you wish to pursue, or if it is simply a hobby. Next, consider what you will be shooting. Are you shooting Sports? Portraits? If you are here, and you have these questions, I assume that you are most interested in shooting live performances. Knowing your purpose will help define what is best for your needs. The best news of all is that you really don’t have to dish out loads of money for your first professional camera. Nowadays, DSLRs are very affordable. The most important thing to consider are the lenses that you wish to compliment your body. For action and sports photography you may want to lean toward a fast lens, and a camera that shoots multiple frames per second. For night and low light shooting, you want a lens with a low f-stop, etc. Once you have outlined your purpose you can then look at your budget, and decide from there.

What kind of settings should I use for a live concert?

There is no standard setting. Your settings change depending on the circumstances of your location (the venue, etc). You may adjust your ISO, F-stop and Speed before hand, and then change it once the show begins. For instance, I always have my camera pre-set. I then make my changes once I see the amount of light on the stage. What I set my camera to at a Metallica concert is not necessarily the same settings you would use at another show. Consider the status of the band, the production and of course, the venue.

Are you willing to work for free?

Are you? Probably not. Although I strive to continue expanding my portfolio with a variety of shoots and subjects, I am an artist and student and depend heavily on my income to get by (like most people). If you have an assignment or project that you feel I could benefit from, you may contact me to discuss your idea(s). For the most part, however, my portfolio does not depend on the body of work I can accumulate with unsigned and local artists at this point. In other words, shooting locals for free, to build on to my portfolio is not a necessity at the moment. I acknowedge the struggle of all musicians and even models, and therefor my rates are reasonable. It is encouraged for bands to consider a fair split between one another.

What are your rates?

My rates vary depending on each individual assignment. The best option is to contact me with a brief overview of your needs. Most importantly, if you are on a budget, I can do my best to work out a deal with you and yours. Some times I announce special rate fees for a limited amount of time. Please contact me for details regarding pricing.

We’re on a budget, can we work out a really good deal?

Perhaps. There is no guarantee that I can afford to work for you under the budget offer you extend to me. Contact me with details, and we can go from there. I ask that you be professional enough to consider the amount of time I take off for the shoot, and hours I spend doing my best to perfect my work for you. It is not only about clicking a button and taking pictures. To ensure customer satisfaction, it goes beyond that, and it can take a full day or several days to complete one assignment. Please be reasonable and considerate.

We have a photographer – but would you mind editing our pics and/or designing our Myspace page?

You are not required to contact me only for photography. If you need your photos enhanced and edited, I can do only that, as well. The same goes for Graphic design and Myspace designs.

I noticed you worked with [band], can you ask for a photo pass for me?

Unfortunately not. I am not any band’s publicist. You may try to request your own photo passes through the promoter, the venue, the label, the management team, or directly through the band. I am not in the position to grant photo passes to other photographers. I am also not a directory and can only advise you to do a little research online to find out who is responsible for accreditation.

Can I use your photos for my web/fan/personal site?

Please contact me directly before doing so with a link to the website. If I allow you to post my work it is required that my original watermark remains on the image. The photo should stay untouched – free from any kind of alteration (crop, colorization, re-sizing, etc). A link to my website and/or credit must also be provided.

Can I buy your pictures?

If you are interested in purchasing any of my photos, please contact me with what interests you, and I can then determine whether or not I am able to sell the photos as prints or at a higher resolution. If your inquiry is denied, it is due to legal matters. Some times photographers are required to sign releases which have very specific and enforced rules that we (and I) agree to obey. Purchasing any of my work does not grant you any rights to sell or re-produce the images. It also does not grant you any form of copyright.

I am a magazine – can we publish one of your pictures?

Permission must be given by me in any and all circumstances. I have requirements for this, as I no longer contribute to various or random publications. Please contact me privately with details and perhaps we can negotiate a plan.

Would you like to contribute to [publication]?

Depending on the status of the publication and what is expected of me. Only strong, professional, and promising publications will be considered.