Ok this video was seriously so helpful! All my previous emails were relatively unprofessional and my nerves were definitely conveyed, and I was always rejected. But I just used this format for the first time and got the gig I was trying for (Queensryche!)! I'll be shooting a huge metal band before college, and I seriously credit this vid for making me sound a whole lot more confident!
Jess Hess this is amazing! Thanks for the support and I am so glad you get to shoot an awesome band! Feel free to share the video and help the community. Good luck!
This is super concise and helpful. I’m starting out my music photo journey and it feels like a steep climb but this is really good advice. Thank you!!!
I just started taking photos for a media outlet and I just sent my first email for a more popular band. I used this and this helped so much! Also kind of calmed my nerves with emailing! Thanks dude!
I got chummy with a band directly, firstly just by being a groupie. 😂 Then I asked the manager for a photo pass. I kept following them around on their US tour, and soon enough I had an AAA badge and was shooting them everywhere.
Jwalt Photography Good News: I've emailed so many bands from pollstar and surprisingly a good number of people responded and said they'd like to have me!! Bad News: I was confirmed to be given a press pass for two shows this weekend and one of them even provided my ticket w/o me even mentioning it. Unfortunately, my car literally broke down 3 days ago and my family has some spontaneous event coming up this weekend as well and I can't borrow anyone else's car😒
i got access to shoot hippie sabotage by messaging them on twitter, and gnash by his girlfriends email using a similar format, but this looks more professional. thanks for this video!
Wow this is so helpful! Thank you so much for sharing this info! also! What would you say is a good timeframe to be emailing? like in terms of the date of the show- when do you normally request for a pass to have the biggest chance of getting a yes? Would a few days before be best or is more time better?
Jwalt Photography Imagine, you don’t have any platform yet to put on the pictures you are going to shoot, or to write an article about the gig, what could I write to still gain the permission to take photos of the gig?
Primatus great question, The most important thing to do is to be honest from the get-go. When contacting the band let them know that you are new and are wanting to build up experience. In exchange for letting you shoot to show you will give them the photos to use. Once you have enough photos after doing this for several bands, put them on a website that you can direct people in the future to and try to sell your services.
Jwalt Photography Thank you so much for replying to every comment and also giving such good advice! I really appreciate that. For me it is 00:40am right now, so I’ll probably work on this later on today, but I’ll definitely use what you showed in this video and use the footage I will get out of possible shows for my portfolio, which I will then create. :) Best wishes Niggelzzz
Hey, thanks for making this video! I really like the layout you used for the email. I’m currently sitting at my computer with an email pretty much ready to go to inquire about a photo pass for Cage The Elephant. I’m not new to photography but am relatively new to concert photography, so I’m trying not to get my hopes too high. Wish me luck!
Hey! Great video, I have a quick question. So I have an opportunity to go to a concert ( so I'm gonna kill to birds by going to work) and my current portfolio consists of mainly portrait shots that I have taken par my university and for my department that I work for there. Should I mention that I am web content intern at my university? I don't plan on writing a review I just want to build my portfolio with more event shots than private portraits. ( I'm stuck on the whats in it for them)
Mariam Tajudeen still to the absolute truth. Don’t imply they may be getting something they are not. Just tell them, they’ll will be get access to use photos in exchange for you to practice.
thanks, I´m following your suggestions and they are very helpful, but if I don't have a portfolio to show them, what should I say in the email? that I´m an upcoming photographer? thanks again
This is such a helpful video, thank you! When would you recommend to send the email in regard to when the gig is taking place? Some photographers say get in early whereas i've heard others say email around 2 weeks before the show.
Ruby Nixon two weeks is right for some, a month is right for others. Never ask the week of unless they are a small show. Never ask three months out unless it’s a festival like Warped.
Hey! very helpful video. I have one question. How do you apply for publications and what should you include in the email? I see that a lot of music photographers i follow get majority of their gigs from being part of a publication.
Nice video! I'm trying to get into a concert in my city next April and I have an important question. Im only 16 years old. Do you think there's no point in trying? I would assume venues/artists would prefer 18+. Thanks so much. :)
hopefully you respond to this. i just started to take photos at concerts and i love the layout of your site. what site did you use to make it? if you dont mind
Jano Janoskianator thanks for the question! It’s always best to use the press contact as a first option. If they don’t have that move on a manager, or if it’s a small band, joe the singer is fine. :)
Hey there! So I emailed two separate bands for concerts that are around two weeks again. It’s been almost a week since I sent those emails and no response? I don’t know what to do now.
Jwalt Photography I’ll probably wait till exactly a week before the show to follow up. Also, I have another question. How do you feel about messaging a band over stuff like this on Facebook messenger? Thank you.
This literally just worked. I am now on the list for a photo pass for Rex Orange County.
Juaquin Sy Congrats! It work often. I am glad you like it and it worked for you!
That was extremely helpful. Glad I clicked this video right after closing Jared Polins haha
beiko thank you, he may have inspired me to make it ;)
Ok this video was seriously so helpful! All my previous emails were relatively unprofessional and my nerves were definitely conveyed, and I was always rejected. But I just used this format for the first time and got the gig I was trying for (Queensryche!)! I'll be shooting a huge metal band before college, and I seriously credit this vid for making me sound a whole lot more confident!
Jess Hess this is amazing! Thanks for the support and I am so glad you get to shoot an awesome band! Feel free to share the video and help the community. Good luck!
This is super concise and helpful. I’m starting out my music photo journey and it feels like a steep climb but this is really good advice. Thank you!!!
I just started taking photos for a media outlet and I just sent my first email for a more popular band. I used this and this helped so much! Also kind of calmed my nerves with emailing! Thanks dude!
pressurelwt that is awesome!!!! Share it up and let your friends know!
ive been looking for something as specific as this video is thank you! hopefully i could start putting together a portfolio.
Jon Sebastian I highly recommend Squarespace for doing so. Affordable and grows with you.
I got chummy with a band directly, firstly just by being a groupie. 😂 Then I asked the manager for a photo pass. I kept following them around on their US tour, and soon enough I had an AAA badge and was shooting them everywhere.
This has been the absolute best and most helpful video on how to get a photographer press pass that I've seen. Thank you!
Aaron Da thank you for watching!
How would you recommend sending out this request if they do not have anything on their Facebook in regards to "press contact"?
Aaron Da google search some contact info for bands management or press. You can usually track them down that way.
Much appreciated, thank you!!!
Jwalt Photography Do you there there is TOO early of a time to reach out to there management? A little under 3 months away for example?
Great video!
I'm gonna start using this format. Hopefully I'll get more responses at least
scuzzy awesome! Let me know how it goes!
Jwalt Photography Good News: I've emailed so many bands from pollstar and surprisingly a good number of people responded and said they'd like to have me!!
Bad News: I was confirmed to be given a press pass for two shows this weekend and one of them even provided my ticket w/o me even mentioning it. Unfortunately, my car literally broke down 3 days ago and my family has some spontaneous event coming up this weekend as well and I can't borrow anyone else's car😒
scuzzy that is great!!!!!
this is a great video with awesome advice!! thanks. so simple but i never thought about going that route.
Thank for the feedback! So glad it helped!
Sweet video!
Thank you for the info. Glad I watched this because I almost done what you said not to do. Saved myself alot of time.
Extreeeeeemely helpful, thank you so much!
i got access to shoot hippie sabotage by messaging them on twitter, and gnash by his girlfriends email using a similar format, but this looks more professional. thanks for this video!
Juju Berry thanks for watching!
thank you your video is so helpful , on your website do you think its better to add watermarks to your photos? or just to leave that out
snoogings316 definitely leave it out. Install html code that blocks right clicking and saving and that will help you out a lot.
@@MrBaldmanTT thank you so much
Wow this is so helpful! Thank you so much for sharing this info!
also! What would you say is a good timeframe to be emailing? like in terms of the date of the show- when do you normally request for a pass to have the biggest chance of getting a yes? Would a few days before be best or is more time better?
Holly Nicole thank you! 2 weeks is the sweet spot for me.
@@MrBaldmanTT good to know! thanks for responding!
Is the photo pass the ticket to get in as well or do you have to also request a ticket?
Thank you very much, this video was very inspirational!
Primatus thank you!
Jwalt Photography Imagine, you don’t have any platform yet to put on the pictures you are going to shoot, or to write an article about the gig, what could I write to still gain the permission to take photos of the gig?
Primatus great question, The most important thing to do is to be honest from the get-go. When contacting the band let them know that you are new and are wanting to build up experience. In exchange for letting you shoot to show you will give them the photos to use. Once you have enough photos after doing this for several bands, put them on a website that you can direct people in the future to and try to sell your services.
Jwalt Photography Thank you so much for replying to every comment and also giving such good advice! I really appreciate that. For me it is 00:40am right now, so I’ll probably work on this later on today, but I’ll definitely use what you showed in this video and use the footage I will get out of possible shows for my portfolio, which I will then create. :) Best wishes Niggelzzz
Great youtube video!! you covered everything on how to get a press pass and you kept it really simple. Time to put it all in action. Thanks :D
Hey, thanks for making this video! I really like the layout you used for the email. I’m currently sitting at my computer with an email pretty much ready to go to inquire about a photo pass for Cage The Elephant. I’m not new to photography but am relatively new to concert photography, so I’m trying not to get my hopes too high. Wish me luck!
Brooke Wright good luck! What an awesome band that would be to shoot with!
Hey! Great video, I have a quick question. So I have an opportunity to go to a concert ( so I'm gonna kill to birds by going to work) and my current portfolio consists of mainly portrait shots that I have taken par my university and for my department that I work for there. Should I mention that I am web content intern at my university? I don't plan on writing a review I just want to build my portfolio with more event shots than private portraits. ( I'm stuck on the whats in it for them)
Mariam Tajudeen still to the absolute truth. Don’t imply they may be getting something they are not. Just tell them, they’ll will be get access to use photos in exchange for you to practice.
I am just starting and I haven´t shoot any concert yet, how would you do it in my situation to get a photo pass?
Denis Cheng start small. Shoot for locals until you have some experience
thanks, I´m following your suggestions and they are very helpful, but if I don't have a portfolio to show them, what should I say in the email? that I´m an upcoming photographer? thanks again
Denis Cheng be honest. Say you are new and want to give it a try. Tell them they will get all the photos in exchange for the photo pass
thanks a lot man, I really appreciate that you took the time to answer me!
So helpful ! Thanks a lot !
This is such a helpful video, thank you! When would you recommend to send the email in regard to when the gig is taking place? Some photographers say get in early whereas i've heard others say email around 2 weeks before the show.
Ruby Nixon two weeks is right for some, a month is right for others. Never ask the week of unless they are a small show. Never ask three months out unless it’s a festival like Warped.
Hey! very helpful video. I have one question. How do you apply for publications and what should you include in the email? I see that a lot of music photographers i follow get majority of their gigs from being part of a publication.
That's what I'm struggling with too
Nice video! I'm trying to get into a concert in my city next April and I have an important question. Im only 16 years old. Do you think there's no point in trying? I would assume venues/artists would prefer 18+. Thanks so much. :)
Oona B. You probably need to aim for all ages shows for the time being.
Thank you for the advice! At the general admission area what lens would you recommend?
always a f 2.8 zoom is best but depends on where they approve you for some shows like Daughtry and nickleback are soundboard and youll need a 400mm f4
hopefully you respond to this. i just started to take photos at concerts and i love the layout of your site. what site did you use to make it? if you dont mind
hayden piatetsky squarespace.
when contacting for a photo pass is it best to contact the band's press/PR, general management or someone else?
Jano Janoskianator thanks for the question! It’s always best to use the press contact as a first option. If they don’t have that move on a manager, or if it’s a small band, joe the singer is fine. :)
What happens if they don't have a press contact email in their about section? in that case would I just contact the manager or the booking agent?
Maddie Santo that is exactly what you would do. Or google search, band + press contact
hey sorry but do you get paid for these gigs
What if they dont have the contacts listed ?
Alex Cersosimo use google. Who is the band you want? Maybe I can help.
@@MrBaldmanTT Just in general. I was mainly looking to shoot for any artist in general
Hey there! So I emailed two separate bands for concerts that are around two weeks again. It’s been almost a week since I sent those emails and no response? I don’t know what to do now.
Marina B you can always sent 1 reminder email, just for follow up, but sometimes no response just means no. Keep trying.
Jwalt Photography I’ll probably wait till exactly a week before the show to follow up. Also, I have another question. How do you feel about messaging a band over stuff like this on Facebook messenger?
Thank you.
Marina B that would probably send an unprofessional vibe unless they are a super small band.
Jwalt Photography I figured haha. Thank you and great video!
What about if I don’t have a portafolio ?
jean batista then start VERY small. Shoot friends bands and public events until you have one.