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#780765 - 04/12/02 02:43 PM

Question for moderator

Touche'photo
Member

Registered: 04/12/02
Posts: 3

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My name is Jennifer, and I am a photographer trying to break into the concert photography scene. I really have no idea exactly who to market myself to in the industry and how get photo passes. I got lucky once when I just showed up backstage and spoke with one of the managers. He gave me a photo pass for the first two songs after looking at my portfolio. I do not want to do that all the time because these people are very busy people trying to get a show going. I got some good shots from that show. Do you have any tips for me? Your advice is greatly appreciated.

You and others can view some of my local band photos at http://www.geocities.com/touchephotos/music

Thanks - Jennifer

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#780766 - 04/12/02 03:52 PM

Re: Question for moderator

ian432
Senior Member

Registered: 03/18/02
Posts: 50
Loc: lehigh valley,PA,UNITED STATES

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hi jennifer
good for you.
connect with your daily, weekly papers and area tv----and fanzines, both print & email. when you see something you want to shoot call the promoter, ask for press passes for you & a guest (helper)

make sure people know your name and how good you are. a bud did a pic of ted nugent years ago and it ended up in his merchandise sells (have a simple contract that your photos are your property unless you state otherwise in writing). make sure your name and pic details are on the back of each photo.

sample: creed at first union, philadelphia,pa 4-12-02
photo by jennifer w/ your contact info.

a bud in green bay volunteered to be the official photographer for a minor league football team, he didn't make money but it led to connections & money opps.

remember people love to have their pic taken with stars. a former employer had his wall filled with polaroids of like.

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#780767 - 04/13/02 03:16 AM

Re: Question for moderator

Christopher
Senior Member

Registered: 02/23/02
Posts: 319
Loc: ,,UNITED STATES

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As far as contacts go, managers first and promoters second will probably provide you with the best access to artists. Stay in touch with everyone you come into contact with, even if it's only a couple of lines of email now and then. Print business cards and/or postcards of your work and pass them around. (Much easier to slip a harried manager/promoter a business card than to chat him/her up.) Post fliers around music equipment shops and live music venues.

And now for the unfun legal stuff (which you may already be aware of):

Try to get a written and signed release from the artists that you're photographing. Many states, esp. California and New York, give public figures what's known as a "right of publicity" that prevents other people such as photographers from exploiting their likeness in a commercial manner. (So the written contract that Ian suggests should not only state that you own the copyright of your photos, but should also state that you have the express permission of the artist to take his or her photograph and use it for commercial purposes.)

Good luck!

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#780768 - 04/13/02 11:43 PM

Re: Question for moderator

Touche'photo
Member

Registered: 04/12/02
Posts: 3

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Thank You, Ian432 and Christopher.

I am in the process now of printing business cards and promotional items. I will be posting them all over town and giving them to whoever I can. $\:D$

I have one more question. How do I find out who is managing and/or promoting a well known artist other than reading the CD insert? It's not something I usually see publicized - unless it is someone really big.

Thanks again!

Jennifer
http://www.geocities.com/touchephotos

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#780769 - 04/13/02 11:50 PM

Re: Question for moderator

Touche'photo
Member

Registered: 04/12/02
Posts: 3

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Thank You, Ian432 and Christopher.

I am in the process now of printing business cards and promotional items. I will be posting them all over town and giving them to whoever I can. $\:D$

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#780770 - 04/14/02 04:29 AM

Re: Question for moderator

Christopher
Senior Member

Registered: 02/23/02
Posts: 319
Loc: ,,UNITED STATES

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Quote:

Originally posted by Touche'photo:
I have one more question. How do I find out who is managing and/or promoting a well known artist other than reading the CD insert? It's not something I usually see publicized - unless it is someone really big. http://www.geocities.com/touchephotos

In addition to CD insert "Thank Yous," band websites usually credit management. If neither of those list management (rare for well-known artists) you can also head out to club gigs a couple minutes early and try to schmooze to the band.

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