We loved to hear your stories about the moment you realised you want to become a concert photographer! For some, it was a logical move and they grabbed the chance to combine their two passions "music" and "photography", for others, it became a way to overcome panic attacks in huge crowds. It was great to see all of you do it for the love of live music!
I have been a musician and music lover my entire life! You could always catch me at a show for one of my favorite bands, whether that be a big name or just local friends playing a small local venue. Throughout the years, as the cameras on smartphones got better and better I became OBSESSED with getting the *perfect* shot or video to share to social media. I had always had an interest in photography with a real camera but knowledge and finances held me back! One day after chatting with a friend who had just started out doing concert photography, and after sifting through my phone pics of concerts, I decided it was time to make the leap and give it a go on my old Canon Rebel XSI from 2008 (a decade old by that time!) that I had been gifted, and while the shots weren't perfect by any means, it really inspired me to continue and from there I began shooting every show I could get a photo pass for!
Honestly it just happened. One day I was front row with a point and shoot and the next I was in the pit with an actual camera 🙃 how, I don't know. I have always loved concerts and photography, so why not combine it?
It always interested me and I did some other types of photographing already, but it felt like an impossible dream. Not just because it’s hard to become one, but also because I usually get bad panic attacks in big crowds. There were some bands I used to go to, despite those attacks, one of them was @tarjaofficial and it turned out she allowed all sorts of cameras with her shows. So I tried that and I had no issues whatsoever, I could just enjoy the show AND do what I love, which is taking photos. So from then on I knew I had to pursue this and I’m glad a few music blogs gave me a chance to do this. And I love it to death, I’ve been to so many places and I got to see so many cool new things and I’m just really happy doing it!
Even though it makes so much sense in hindsight that I became a concert photographer, nothing was actually planned. Probably like many others, I've always enjoyed going to concerts and at some point started taking photos with my phone and then switched to a compact camera before making the leap to a mirrorless camera. Because I enjoy the small, intimate, local gigs, I was often the only one taking photos. And seeing that the bands were so grateful to have something nice to share made me realise that I don't just want to do it because I really enjoy it, but also because I can help others. And of course, all the opportunities it brings and the stories that come with it are two of the reasons why I'm glad I went this way.
I had always brought disposable cameras to concerts, but I think it was the first time I saw a concert photo in a magazine (can’t remember which one) that I realized getting some kind of access to concerts in that regard was possible.
Music changes. Moods, people, moments, time, space. The favourite song line on the lips of the person behind you, the stillness of the other. The flash in the eyes on stage, the sweat of the notes. It was one of those observing moments when I realised that music can be made visible. Since then I photograph and shoot almost nothing else ;)
[Original text: Musik verändert. Stimmungen, Menschen, Momente, Zeit, Raum. Die Lieblingsliedzeile auf den Lippen des Menschen hinter dir, das Stillhalten des Anderen. Das Blitzen in den Augen auf der Bühne, der Schweiss der Noten. Es war einer dieser beobachtenden Momente, in denen ich realisierte, dass man Musik sichtbar machen kann. Seitdem fotografiere und drehe ich so gut wie nichts anderes mehr ;)]