7 Things I've Learned From Shooting Live Music

Shooting live music is a wild mix of adrenaline, chaos, and so much fun — honestly, I'm completely hooked.

Since stepping into the world of gig photography, I've learned a lot. Some things the hard way (like why you should never forget your earplugs), and others just by doing it over and over again. Every gig brings something new — whether it's a lighting challenge, a surprise from the crowd, or just a moment where everything clicks.

Here are seven things that have stuck with me so far:

1. Lighting is your best friend — apart from when it isn't

   
   

Live lighting is unpredictable at best, chaotic at worst — and sometimes completely magical.

Sometimes, the colours and contrast are dreamy. Yet other times, you're stuck with red wash and barely any light on the artist's face — a dream for ambience, miserable for the camera. But you quickly learn how to adapt; to work with what you've got and to recognise those perfect moments when the lights actually help instead of make you want to cry silently into your camera bag.

This shot of Georgia Harmer at The Fleece in Bristol is one of those moments. Just the right amount of haze in the air and a perfectly placed spotlight. Those little lighting miracles don't come often, but when they do, you take the shot and run with it.

Shooting live music is 50% instinct and 50% quietly cursing at whatever the lighting tech is doing.

2. You will take WAY more photos than you think

   
   

I'm talking hundreds — honestly, probably even thousands — of shots in a single night.

And then comes the editing... sifting through frames where someone blinked, or the mic stand's in the way (bordering on traumatic when the shot is otherwise 🔥), or a lighting change hit just as you clicked. But the good ones? The ones that make you feel like you're back in the moment? They make it so worth it.

Half the work happens after the gig, and learning to trust your instincts in the edit is just as important as shooting the thing.

3. Forget the pit — sometimes you are the pit

   
   

At smaller venues (which I love), you're not separated from the crowd. You're right up in it, super close and squeezing past people mid-song. Dodging heads, elbows, drinks (and not always successfully).

It can be a challenge, but honestly? That's part of what makes it so good. You're in it with the audience, sharing the atmosphere and energy. The photos feel more alive because you were part of it, rather than simply observing it.

And surprisingly, it can also open doors. I've had some genuinely great conversations with people just by being out there shooting. Sometimes it's just a bit of curiosity — "Are you with the band?" or "What lens is that?" — but every now and then, someone will say, "Hey, I've got a band — would you be up for shooting us sometime?" It might actually be my favourite way to pick up work, and honestly, whether it leads to a job or just a fun chat, making those little connections is one of the best things about shooting this way.

4. Not every shot needs to be "perfect"

   
   

This was a big one for me.

I'm a perfectionist by nature — or maybe by habit. Before I started shooting live music, I saw a great photo as something clean, sharp, well-lit, and distraction-free. If it wasn't technically flawless, it didn't make the cut. Gig photography threw that mindset completely out the window.

Live music doesn't sit still. It doesn't care if your light is balanced or if there's motion blur. And I had to teach myself that those so-called imperfections aren't flaws. In this world, they're part of the feeling. A little blur, some grain, uneven lighting... they are the moment.

It was a huge learning curve to not just accept those elements but to embrace them — to shoot and edit differently and to chase emotion over polish. Some of my favourite shots now would've horrified past-Rhi, and honestly, I kind of love that.

Gig photography isn't about perfection. It's about presence.

5. Earplugs aren't optional

   
   

You think you'll be fine. You won't be.

There's nothing like that instant regret of realising your earplugs are still at home, and you're stood next to a stack of speakers for the next three hours. Tinnitus is real, and hearing protection is your friend.

It's a completely different experience shooting a show compared to just being there as an audience member. You're right up against the stage, next to the monitors, often working multiple sets a week. The volume hits different when you're that close, and when this becomes part of your routine, proper protection is not optional.

My go-tos are the Loop Experience 2s — they reduce the volume without ruining the sound quality, and they're super comfy for long nights (Loop, if you're reading this... call me 👀).

Trust me. Bring some earplugs.

6. Every gig teaches you something new

   
   

No two shows are the same. Different lighting, different stage setups, different crowds, different genres. You're constantly learning — about timing, about gear, about people, and even about yourself.

Sometimes the challenge is technical. Sometimes it's mental. Sometimes it's being taken seriously when you're the only woman in a pit full of middle-aged men (but that calls for it's own post, so more on that later). Either way, you walk away from every show with something new in your toolkit.

7. Don't overlook the drummer

   
   

Seriously! The drummer is almost always buried away in the back, hidden behind cymbals and lighting gear — but they're often the most dynamic performer on stage.

They're all movement, all expression, all rhythm. And getting a great shot of a drummer is weirdly satisfying. Some of my absolute favourite gig photos have come from finding the right angle and catching the drummer mid-swing.

Honestly? Drummers might be my favourite musicians to shoot overall. There's just something about the energy — it's chaotic, it's messy, and when you catch it at the right moment, it's absolute magic.

Make the effort. They're worth it.

🎤 Final Thoughts

Shooting live music is unpredictable, exhausting, loud, and at times completely chaotic — and I love every bit of it. There's always more to learn, more to improve, and more moments to chase.

As with any career, this one has its challenges — but nothing else comes close. I love what I get to do, and I'm all in.