I was never cool in school. Bands and artists felt like a world away.
Now, I’m photographing them at festivals and chatting with them backstage.
It was my second year as part of the photography crew at Weyfest in Surrey this year. I was offered a press pass to access the ‘pit’ in front of the stages.
I took over 1,000 photos on Friday and Saturday, capturing the best moments on stage and among the festivalgoers before delivering the edited galleries to the festival organisers on Sunday.
There were lots of special moments, including getting up close and personal with Sir Bob Geldof during this performance with The Boomtown Rats, my second time photographing Scouting for Girls, snapping Sari Schorr after watching her play live earlier in the year, and the high-energy performance by Tankus the Henge.
If you want to take photos at festivals, here’s my advice.
Start Small: Go to local shows and shoot unsigned bands first.
Meet People: Talk to bands, event people, and other photographers.
Be Respectful: Always ask before taking close-up photos, and never photograph the artists backstage without their permission.
Why should festivals have photographers?
Photos help people remember the fun times. They also show others what they missed. Capturing these memories and this joy can make more people want to come next year. It’s a potent marketing tool.
Looking back, I’ve come a long way from school to Weyfest. I’m excited about more festivals and more photos in the future.
From school days to snapping iconic moments at #Weyfest2023. 🎶 Check out my journey into the heart of #FestivalPhotography. 📷 Share on X
