How to Enjoy and Shoot a Music Festival without a Photo Pass

Music festivals are exhilarating experiences that connect communities through music, blending into unforgettable moments. For photographers like myself, capturing the essence of a concert is a thrilling, but challenging game, especially when you're trying to shoot your shot in a crowd full of people, without a photo pass that allows entry close to the stage.

In June of this year, I had my first festival experience at Bluewater Borderfest in Sarnia, ON, having the exciting opportunity to practice my photography shooting bands including Skillet, Saint Asonia, Finger Eleven (for the second time, as I saw them in 2023), I Mother Earth, Bush, and more.

Most of my portfolio within the musical genre of photography is from reaching out to small bands for practice, or bringing a compact camera with me to the concerts I attend, yearning to learn more about the art and craft of concert photography in which I base my business on.

Photographing a concert without a photo pass is the most challenging aspect within my photography career thus far, but it has not stopped me. To me, the most rewarding part of this entire experience is going home to look through what I have captured, and seeing the photos I've produced.

HOW DO I ACHIEVE PHOTOS WITHOUT A PHOTOPASS?

When shooting in a crowded environment, it's crucial to be aware of your surroundings. Being on the shorter side, I carefully choose vantage points where someone's arm or head isn't blocking my camera. Since I stick to lenses no longer than 50mm, I frame the artist through the reactions of the crowd. I wait for opportune moments, such as when a band member moves closer to my position in the crowd, allowing me to capture them without interference from others.

ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT

There are numerous camera options available for concert photography when you're unequipped with a photo pass. I own several compact cameras, making the decision a challenging one. I prefer mirrorless cameras due to their capability to adapt and perform well in varying light conditions, especially in low-light settings.

My primary choice is the FujiFilm XT-30II paired with a 15-45mm F/3.5-5.6 zoom lens. Many venues typically restrict the use of professional-looking cameras unless you are hired for the event. However, security often overlooks whether a camera is a point-and-shoot or an interchangeable lens system as long as it appears compact, even if it is technically professional-grade.

Among my other preferred cameras are the Nikon Coolpix S7000, a 16 MP point-and-shoot known for its extensive 20x optical zoom, and the Sony A6000 with a 16-50mm F/3.5-5.6 zoom lens and a 24.3MP sensor.