Shooting the Sound: My Journey Into Music Photography (and Why I'm Hooked)

Rhiannon Phillips
Jan 8
3 min read

Updated: Nov 20

If you'd told me back in school that one day I'd be combining photography and music as a career, I wouldn't have believed you - not because I didn't want it, but because I didn't even realise it was an option. I mean, I knew music photographers existed in some abstract way... but it never occurred to me that it was something I could actually do. Plus, my art teacher told me herself that I'd never have a future in photography - and honestly, I believed her.

Thankfully, that didn't last.

🪩 Where It All Began

Music has always been a massive part of my life. I've always loved the rhythm, the emotion, the connection you feel at a live gig - the fleeting moments where everything just clicks between an artist and their audience. And I've been equally obsessed with photography for as long as I can remember. Light, motion, atmosphere, freezing a moment in time... it's always felt a little bit like magic to me.

Looking back, it's kinda wild that it took me so long to make the obvious connection - making a career out of those two things makes perfect sense.

"My art teacher told me that I'd never have a future in photography." - Funny how things turn out.

🎶Why Music Photography?

There's something electric about a live show. You're surrounded by energy - the roar of the crowd, the lights, the feel of the bass in your chest. And in the middle of all the chaos, there's this super fun challenge: to capture it. To bottle the feeling and preserve it in a frame.

I guess that's why I'm so drawn to music photography. It's not about polished poses or perfection. It's more about movement, raw emotion, and real moments. The sweat on a bassist's brow. The quiet intensity in a vocalist's eyes. The split-second explosion of light when the chorus hits.

Those are the moments I love to capture.

⚙️ How I Approach a Gig

Every show is different - and I try to treat them as such.

Before each gig, I research the artist's style and energy. I look at previous setlists, performance clips, and stage setups to get a sense of what I'm working with. I prep my gear, plan for low light, quick movement, and tight pit spaces. But once I'm in the venue, it's all about instinct. You've got seconds to react - no time to hestitate.

And even with all that preparation, I still get hit with imposter syndrome. Almost every time. That little voice in my head going, "What if I mess this up? What if I'm not good enough to be here?" But I've learned to take that voice with me, to remind myself that I care deeply about getting it right.

Because when the lights go up and the music hits, I don't have time to doubt myself. I just shoot. I focus on the rhythm, the emotion, the atmosphere. I try to feel what the audience feels, and translate it into something you can see.

It's part precision, part rhythm, and part surrendering to the moment.

📸 What I Aim to Capture

For me, live music is way more than just sound - it's movement, emotion, and connection.

The intimacy of a verse. The explosion of a chorus. The split-second between spotlight and shadow. I want people to feel something when they see my work - like they're standing right there in the crowd, heart pounding, caught in the same moment I was.

That's the magic of live music. And that's what I chase with every frame.

Capturing the chaos, the colour, and the connection *(You Me At Six @ Cardiff Great Hall)*

📝 What This Blog Is About

This blog is my space to share more of the journey - the behind-the-scenes moments, lessons learned, and stories that don't always make it to Instagram. You'll find gig breakdowns, photography tips, lighting battles (and wins), favourite images, and everything in between.

Whether you're a fellow photographer, a music lover, or just curious about life behind the lens - welcome!