The Music Photographer's Guide
Everything you need to know before you step into the pit — etiquette, gear, accreditation, and the unwritten rules that keep the live music industry working.
The Three-Song Rule
The three-song rule is almost universal at professional concerts in Australia and globally. It exists to protect the artist's privacy, give them time to warm up, and ensure the show doesn't feel like a photo shoot for the entire audience.
Some artists impose stricter restrictions — first song only, no pit at all, or phone cameras only. Always read the accreditation brief from the promoter carefully. Violating restrictions is the fastest way to lose future access.
Support acts often have different (sometimes more relaxed) rules — check with the venue or stage manager before each set.
Pit Etiquette
The photo pit is a shared professional space. How you conduct yourself there affects every photographer who comes after you.
Do
- Arrive early — know where the pit entrance is
- Wear dark, non-reflective clothing
- Keep your kit compact and manageable
- Communicate with other photographers — share the good angles
- Move quietly along the barrier
- Respect the security staff — they control your access
- Leave the pit promptly when the three-song window is up
- Use ear protection — it's loud and your hearing matters
Don't
- Block the audience's view longer than necessary
- Use flash — it's almost universally banned and distracting
- Shoot with a phone if your accreditation specifies no phones
- Climb on stage equipment or barriers
- Get in the way of security or crew
- Stay past your allocated time
- Argue with venue staff in the pit
- Run in the pit — cables underfoot are a hazard
Gear Essentials
Concert photography is technically demanding. You're working with fast-moving subjects, extreme contrast, mixed artificial lighting, and no flash. Gear that can handle ISO 3200–12800 with clean output is essential.
Camera Body
Any modern mirrorless or DSLR body with good high-ISO performance. The Sony A7 series, Nikon Z series, and Canon R series all perform well. Don't upgrade the body until your technique outpaces it.
Lenses
50mm f/1.8 — affordable, sharp, great for most pit distances.
85mm f/1.8 — flattering portraits, isolates the subject.
24-70mm f/2.8 — versatile zoom if budget allows.
Prime lenses beat zooms on aperture for the same price.
Camera Settings
Start with: Shutter 1/320s, f/2.8, ISO auto up to 12800.
Use continuous AF with face/eye detection. Shoot RAW — you'll need the latitude in post.
Accessories
Ear protection (reusable musician's plugs are best). Spare batteries — cold venues and continuous shooting drain them fast. A small backpack or sling bag that doesn't bump the person next to you in the pit.
Getting Accredited
Media accreditation is how venues and promoters know you're a legitimate photographer. It's also your ticket into the photo pit. musick offers a free annual Media Pass for approved photographers.
Register your photographer profile and upload some of your best work. Your portfolio is the first thing the accreditation team reviews.
From your dashboard, apply for the musick Annual Media Accreditation. Answer the screening questions honestly — they help us match accreditations to the right shows.
Once approved, download your official press accreditation letter. It's valid for the current calendar year and can be presented to venues as proof of credentials.
Your musick pass confirms your credentials, but you still need to contact the promoter or venue directly for each show. Use the press letter to introduce yourself professionally.
Ready to apply?
Create your photographer profilePost Processing
Concert photos rarely come out of camera looking perfect — that's normal. Harsh stage lighting, extreme colour casts, and noise at high ISO all need correction in post.
- Shoot RAW for maximum latitude in exposure and white balance recovery.
- Noise reduction is often the first thing to apply — use Lightroom's AI Denoise or DxO PhotoLab for best results at high ISO.
- White balance — stage lights are often mixed and inconsistent. Aim for pleasing skin tones over technically accurate WB.
- Selective sharpening on the subject's eyes and face helps counteract focus blur from fast movement.
- Don't over-edit — heavy HDR or oversaturated colours date quickly. Clean, punchy edits last longer.
- Convert to sRGB and export at a maximum of 2048px wide for web publishing. musick accepts JPEG, PNG, and WebP up to 10 MB.
Copyright & Usage Rights
As the photographer, you own the copyright on every image you take — in Australia this is automatic under the Copyright Act 1968. No registration is required.
Common licence types you'll encounter:
- Editorial use — publication in news, reviews, and press contexts. Most accreditations grant the artist/venue this right.
- Commercial use — advertising, merchandise, etc. This should always be negotiated separately and compensated.
- Exclusive licence — you can't publish the photos elsewhere. Rare, but worth checking.
- Non-exclusive licence — the artist/venue can use the photos, but so can you elsewhere.
When in doubt, watermark your work and consult with the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA AMCOS) or a media lawyer before signing restrictive agreements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I shoot at a gig without media accreditation?
At most pubs and small venues, yes — phones and cameras are generally welcome in the crowd. For headline acts at ticketed venues with security, you'll need accreditation to shoot from the pit. Some venues allow photography from the crowd with a standard camera as long as you're not using a professional telephoto lens.
How do I pitch to music publications for my work?
Build a strong online portfolio (your musick profile is a good start), then email editors with a tight selection of 5-10 of your strongest images. Be specific about which shows you've covered and which you're planning to shoot. Editors receive many pitches — concise, professional, and well-edited work stands out.
Can I use photos I shot at a gig as a fan for my portfolio?
Generally yes, as long as you own the copyright (you took the photo) and are using them for portfolio purposes. However, some ticketing terms prohibit commercial photography at events — always check the terms on your ticket if you plan to use the photos commercially.
What happens if security asks me to delete photos?
Security staff do not have the legal right to demand you delete photos in Australia. You can be asked to leave, but you cannot legally be compelled to delete images from your camera. That said, arguing in a pit is rarely worth it — comply with requests to leave and address issues later through the promoter.