Photographer Interview: Break into Concert Photography

Photo Credit: celtics baby clothes

Anthony Siciliano of Ramsey, NJ, was initially attracted to photography through some playful competition with his friends. Even when he realized his friends had no idea how to use their cameras, he stuck with it and earned recognition in photography and videography.

As a photojournalist and concert photographer his experience is transferring into his newest venture as part of Awesome Farm - a video production and photography business formed with his friends. At least with the friends that know how to use a camera.

Siciliano answered a few questions and gave some advice for fellow photographers looking to break in to photography, specifically concert photography and photojournalism.

What was your first camera?
My first DSLR was a Nikon D80 with the 18-70 mm lens. However, the first point-and-shoot that I bought for myself was a Pentax Optio S-40, which I still have. I really enjoyed taking pictures of flowers, but I was dissatisfied with the performance and results of my point-and-shoot (particularly, the shutter lag). I looked into DSLRs, and ended up purchasing the D80. Thousands of dollars, and much gear later, here I am.

What photographers - well known or unknown - inspire you?
I really have fun with concert photography, live shows where I bring back photos that give you a good sense of what happened during an event. A photographer that does this very well is Todd Owyoung. His website is http://ishootshows.com/. Not only does he get awesome results, but also he shares his wealth of knowledge with everyone, which I respect immensely.

Check out the Strobist blog as well. It features off-camera lighting and lots of DIY equipment at http://strobist.blogspot.com/.

Is there a certain piece of gear you could not live without?
I do not skimp on my gear, and it has definitely paid off. In my opinion, it is better to save up for a longer time and get better equipment, than it is to spend early on something else. Unfortunately, I am addicted to buying new things, which can get very expensive. I could not live without any of this stuff, but if I had to pick one lens, the one that does most of my work is the 18-70mm lens.

Do you have any goals in mind with your photography?
I hope that I will be shooting famous bands very soon. A lot of doing that is getting to know the people who run the events, and the people who manage the bands. So far, the most famous people I have photographed in concert are Kate Voegele, Jack's Mannequin and the rest have been local bands. Currently, I shoot for local newspapers. The pay is not very good, but it is fun and better than nothing at all. Doing this will help me get exposure.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to shoot concerts?
The gear that is best for concert photography, at least in my opinion, is fast lenses and cameras with high ISO abilities. It is deceptively dark inside most music venues. My 50 mm lens does a lot of work there, with its extremely fast 1.8 aperture. My other lenses that go down to aperture 2.8 are extremely important. Large wide-open apertures are important for catching performers in action, without blur. Someone that wants to shoot concerts should definitely invest in a 50 mm lens, and save up to buy other fast lenses. Many places do not allow flash during performances, and your brand-new flash unit will not do any good when security tackles you. Also, watch out for drunken people and mosh pits at shows, which is a good way to wreck your camera.

How did you get a job with your local newspaper? What skills does that require?
When I was doing physical therapy for my tendinitis, I met a photographer who was shooting some photos for a brochure. We got to talking, and she gave me the contact info of a local photo editor. The skill involved in photojournalism is the same most other photographers use, except more irritating. Not only do you have to capture good pictures, but also you have to do it consistently, and make sure you get people's first and last names. If you do not get their names, editors will not use your photos. That can be a big disappointment, after all your hard work. You also have to be versatile and ready for anything. Get to events early and scope things out. that is the best advice I can give. Coming in late and not getting a good spot makes things a lot more difficult.

What advice would you give new photographers?
The best way to learn photography is by doing. When I bought my camera, I barely knew how to use the thing. One great thing I think everyone should do is a Project 365. That is where you take one photo per day (at least) and write a little bit about it on your Flickr account or a photo blog. It will help you learn to shoot in all current situations as well as on days or times where you think a camera might not be convenient to have. Then, at the end of the year, you look back and see how much you have improved, as well as your year in a series of photos. Also, do not forget to take a break when you are post-processing your images. I got a bad case of tendinitis from using the computer too much, and it really puts a kink in your photography.

Where can people see your photography?
Check out my photography on my Flickr site at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/scis/ and soon at www.awesomefarm.com.

Boppy Pillow Photography Prop

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Photography props are expensive and many times are not even worth the investment. A Boppy Pillow however, even if bought at full price, is well worth the investment. You will get years of use from your Boppy Pillow and as a photography prop the Boppy Pillow can be used for babies and pets. The Boppy Pillow is also washable so it can be cleaned inbetween uses. You can purchase Boppy Pillows new at stores such as Target or used at resale shops and rummage sales.

Boppy Pillow Photography Prop Pose #1: Baby On Back
Place the Boppy Pillow on the floor of coffee table or other raised surface, not to high since you will be photographing from above. Cover the Boppy Pillow with a backdrop, blanket, material, etc. Gently rest the upper body of the baby on the Boppy Pillow, the baby's bottom should be near the open end. This position is perfect for newborns that can not support themselves.

Boppy Pillow Photography Pose #2: Baby on Tummy
Prepare the Boppy Pillow as above on a raised surface. For this pose the table can be high or low since you will be photographing from in front of the baby. For this photography pose you will be facing the open end of the Boppy Pillow away from the camera. This pose does require some upper body strength so it works best for babies 2 months and up. Place the baby stomach down with the upper body resting slightly forward of the Boppy Pillow. You now have a perfect head and shoulders position.

Boppy Pillow Photography Pose #3: Baby Sitting
Prepare the Boppy Pillow as described in pose 1. As in pose 2 the raised surface can be high or low since you will be photographing from in front of the baby. The Boppy Pillow opening should be facing the camera. Sit the baby inside the hole with the baby's legs coming out the opening. The Boppy Pillow will help support babies that can sit unassisted. In this pose the Boppy Pillow is mainly used to keep the baby sitting tall. Photograph the baby from the front. This pose will help you capture a nice head and shoulders photo of babies six months and up.

Boppy Pillow Photgraphy Pose #4: Pet Laying
Again prepare the Boppy Pillow as stated above. You will be photographing from in front of the subject so a high or low table will work. The Boppy Pillow opening should face to the left or right of the camera. Lay the pet with the front paws on the Boppy Pillow. The body should be laid into the center and if large enough out the opening. Stand behind the camera in front of the subject and get the pet to turn their head towards the camera. I use a rubber chicken, not a squeaker toy. A squeaker toy will scare most animals and usually makes a dog jump up and want to play. You only want to get the animal to look in your direction with their head.

I have included a couple of photos that show the Boppy Pillow in use.

Stephanie Harrison Photography - Where You'll Find the Best Photographer in Town

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Whether you're looking for that perfect photographer for senior pictures, wedding photos, new baby celebration or special family moments, Stephanie Harrison Photography is the place to go! You'll not only find a professional studio that is conveniently located in the heart of the Historic Depot District in Richmond, Indiana, but you'll meet one of the friendliest, easy going photographers around; not to mention at a great value!

The photographer at Stephanie Harrison Photographer, none other than Stephanie Harrison herself, offers an artistic style that can't be found elsewhere. The results of her work give an eclectic, non-staged, and real feeling. She captures expressions and movements perfectly in her photographs. She's got the perfect personality for children and adults alike. She can accommodate any situation from serious, quiet moments to doing whatever is needed to get an unsure baby to smile, make nervous folks feel comfortable or even catch that wondering gaze of a beloved pet.

Photos aren't always taken inside the studio at Stephanie Harrison Photography. The opportunity is also there to go outdoors and use the resources of the Historic Depot for a more urban look, combining the exposed brick of old buildings with the sweet, fresh face of a new baby, for example. Stephanie is also often available for on-site shoots for weddings, special celebrations and other purposes!

Stephanie Harrison has the experience to make your photo shoot the best it can be! She's been featured in a number of magazines across the world and has won various photography awards. With such skill and recognition one might think her prices would reflect it, but at Stephanie Harrison Photography, the value is unreal!

The session fee is a very reasonable $40.00 for up to four people. Prices for prints obviously vary by size but range anywhere from $8.00 for eight wallets up to $90.00 for a huge 20x30 print! She offers packages for senior pictures starting at a low $99.00 and Wedding Packages that can be had from $550.00. Also available are Gallery Canvas Wraps in various sizes which are, simply put, awesome!

Stephanie Harrison Photography can be found at 195 Fort Wayne Avenue in Richmond, Indiana and reached at (765)962-3133. The website, www.stephanieharrisonphotography.com offers numerous examples of Stephanie's work, a price sheet, bio, and contact information for setting up your first session.

Stephanie Harrison Photography; you simply won't find a better photographer around!

The Budget Bride's Guide to Saving Hundreds on Photography

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If you are planning a wedding, you already know how much things can add up. From invitations, venues, catering, decorations, and so on, you can quickly spend thousands of dollars on your wedding day, without even realizing where all of it went. In fact, according to theknot.com, the average wedding cost is $27,800 per couple! Think of how that money could have come in handy in case of an emergency, in putting down a down payment on a new home, or in financing a fantastic honeymoon! However, if you take control of your budget now, you can have a memorable, elegant wedding while saving thousands for your happily ever after years.

The first thing you need to do when you are planning a wedding is to decide on how much you can reasonably afford and then discuss which items are the most important to you. Many couples decide that photography is at the top of their list. Follow the tips below to have memorable pictures, while staying on budget:
Shop around for photographers

The first step in saving money in general is to find out who offers the service and how much they charge. Never accept the first offer that you receive. Call various photographers and ask them what they charge and what their service includes. Be sure to consider how much the entire cost of photography will be. For example, a photographer who charges less per hour who charges more per each picture may not be a good deal. Search through your phone book and go online to see photographer's blogs and samples of their pictures.

Think outside the (office)box

Although there are plenty of photographers who specialize in photography and have a career in photography, there are also many skilled photographers who have different day jobs, pursue photographer as an interest, or specialize in other forms of photography. Check around for people such as these who have experience in photographing weddings, but who do not depend on it for their bread and butter. Think about anyone you know who fits this criterion: someone who takes pictures for the local newspaper, a sports photographer, a friend who has taken a few photography courses, etc. They will often charge much less than photographers who make their living from inflated wedding packages. Typically anything associated with weddings is more expensive than something without the wedding association. So try to find a photographer that has similar experience with a much smaller price tag.

Get digital prints

Ask your photographer if he can photograph you with a digital camera. Any type of special effect like using sepia pictures, black and white pictures, red eye removal, coloring in certain elements like the flowers while leaving the rest of the picture muted, and so on can be completed by just a few buttons. So you won't have an effects expense passed on to you. Also, ask your photographer if he can give you the digital prints on a cd or memory card. If he does this, you will need to be sure that he has signed over the rights of ownership to you so that you can develop the pictures yourself. This step could save you hundreds, maybe even thousands, and you will only be paying for his hourly rate and the ownership rights, rather than a certain dollar amount * the amount of each picture.

Consider limiting the photographer's time

Consider the actual amount of time that you want to have the photographer around. Keep in mind that many photographers will also charge you for the time it takes to travel and set up for the pictures. Some brides want the photographer to take pictures while they are preparing for the wedding, but if you are not interested in these types of pictures, don't ask the photographer to be around during that hour. Consider having your photographer take your pictures during the important parts of the ceremony and formal posed pictures after the wedding. Then just have him stay for the first hour of the ceremony, rather than the entire event. You can still get in many of the important photos during this time, such as the first dance, the receiving line, and the cake tasting. But you can save hundreds of dollars if you do not keep the photographer around for the next 1-3 hours of the reception. And with many photographers charging hundreds of dollars an hour, this is easy money that you can pocket for your future.

Opt out of the reception

Consider not having your photographer take reception pictures at all. This will save time on moving between venues, set up, and hours off of his rate. Many brides today are opting for more photojournalistic pictures, rather than posed pics. Place a couple of disposable cameras on each guest table and ask for their help in taking pics at the reception. Be sure to leave a convenient basket for them to drop the cameras off at before they leave. For the cost of a few $5 cameras, you will wind up with hundreds of pictures to choose from without the hefty photographer's fee.

Compare packages

When deciding on a package, be sure that you are comparing what each photographer is offering you. Sometimes you will save money by going for a package deal, sometimes you may be better off deciding on a certain number of pictures, rather than a package. So carefully scrutinize the charges for each package. Also be leery of unnecessary charges: a $100 wedding photo album is not worth it when you can go to your local supermarket and buy one for $10. According to Elizabeth and Alex Lluch in Planning the Most Memorable Wedding On Any Budget, you can also save big if you place the pictures in the wedding album yourself. It might take a little time, but make a day of it with your new spouse to look back at your happy memories.

Skip the engagement photos

Although it might be nice to have pretty picture to send with your invitations or to the local newspaper for your engagement announcement, you can use alternative methods, rather than pay the hefty studio and professional photography fee. For example, if you already have existing formal photos of you and your fiancé, use those instead of opting for a multiple hundred dollar studio session. Alternatively, ask a friend with photography experience to set up a muted background or go to a natural setting and have her photograph you and your fiancé for your engagement photos. Finally, check a local family photography studio, such as Wal-mart, Sears, or JC Penny. They will have appropriate backgrounds, but charge much less than a wedding photographer.

Barter, barter, barter

If you have met with several photographers and you liked one more than the others, but he was a little too expensive, let him know that you received a better offer and see if he comes down on the price. Also, before you commit, be sure that you ask "Is this the best deal you can give me?" for even more wiggle room. In this economic time, more and more people are learning powerful negotiating skills and businesses are suffering from unprecedented losses. See how flexible your photographer will be with the price. If you can't quite get the deal you want, go with another photographer or see if your first choice can throw in a freebie, such as a free parent's album, rather than a reduction in price.

Barter some more

If you have any type of service that you complete, see if you can exchange your service for the photography or a portion of his fees. Also, if you blog or you are involved in advertising or website development, see if you can get a discount if you provide free advertising for the photographer after your event. This type of service exchange can be posted in a local newspaper ad or on craigslist.com. Alternatively, if you have a friend or relative getting married, see if your photographer will give you a discount for a positive recommendation and referral.

Consider a student photographer

Yes, it might be scary to put the future of your only wedding pictures in a non-expert's hands, but you can save big by asking a student photographer to capture your wedding day. Additionally, students are more likely to give you digital prints (see above) in exchange for them gaining experience and increasing their portfolio contents. Be sure that they have some previous experience and make sure you look at their previous work. Also, be sure that your expectations are clearly stated and make sure that they can be depended on and that they are punctual.

Regardless of which photographer you go with, be sure that you get recommendations for him, check his portfolio, and make sure that you both know what you will be getting. Be certain that any adjustments are in writing, especially if the photographer has reduced the price. Then rest assured that you have done your best to get the pictures you want, and the peace of mind you need as you begin your new life with cash in your pockets.