The owner of Model D Photography, Gareth Burroughs band photographer has seen, heard, and photographed it all. During his work with Northern Exposure, an agency dedicated to pointing the spotlight on unsigned bands in the North of England, he has worked with some of the U.K.’s most promising new performers, documenting their unique performance styles with his precise and telling photography. Discussing his work, Burroughs paints a lively and revealing picture of the music photography business, with plenty of tips for those budding concert photographers out there.
Aside from the musicians you are photographing, who in the music industry do you deal with?
Northern Exposure http://northern-exposure.co/
MJR http://www.themjrgroup.com/
And I also do occasional work for This Feeling, Bigtree Promotions, Café Totem and various festivals
In terms of employment, do you approach the artist, or are you approached? How does it vary?
A bit of both really. You have to get your face known first. Sometimes I approach them. It wasn’t like this at the beginning as I had to approach the bands which was mutually beneficial. They got free photos and I got practice. Also, some venues allow photography, so you just pay to get in. and snap away.
When you’re hired to photograph a band, what is your timeline like? From getting the gig to delivering the finished pictures.
I’ve got pretty good at this now. It used to take me days to get the photos out but I can generally have them out the next day now. It’s good practice to get them out the next day so that they can be used (i.e. for social media).
I usually get to a gig in plenty of time so I can check out the lighting and take photos of the support band mainly as a practice to get my setting right. I’ll also be getting my kit prepared before I leave for a gig.
There is lots of background planning to do before a gig including talking with venues, bands promotors and so on.
What kind of photo session do you prefer (concert photography, promotional photography, location shoots etc) and why?
I like it all but I guess promotional work as I can be more creative as I can control the lighting and band poses. With a live gig you don’t have any control over lighting, bands and the dreaded smoke machine.
Are there any adaptations you like to make depending on the artist you are photographing?
Yes sometimes I have to use different pieces of kit to suit a particular gig, and sometimes the style of music. For example if the lighting is very dark I might use a different lens, or if the song is uplifting I might get some crowd shots. In addition, I would have to adapt my settings depending if there is fast/slow action.
You do plenty of other photography, how did you get into band photography specifically?
I was lucky really. There are many types of photography (fashion, studio, sport, wedding, landscape and so on). I could have chosen either, but I was given the opportunity to photo a well-known band and I loved it. So it started from there.
Is there anything you wish you knew when you started?
It’s very expensive to get started. The equipment itself is very expensive. You have to start working for free as well, and cover your own expenses, as well as paying to get into gigs.
Also, there are a lot of egos and politics in the music industry, so you have to learn to be diplomatic. It’s a lot to do with who you know too.
What do you want to do more of in the future?
I would like to do more work in the studio, but I don’t have time as there is so much going on right now as we’re in the peak of live music gigs. Maybe when everything dies down I’ll get back in there. The quietest time is the beginning of the new year for a few months.
Biggest obstacles you’ve faced in concert photography?
Competitive photographers, who want your job. You don’t know who to trust sometimes. Also, the politics and egos can be a challenge.
Favourite musician you have worked with so far?
Reverend and the Makers, The Sherlocks, Tom Grennan, Tom Walker,
Avalanche Party and October Drift (watch this space they’re going to be big) who I’ll be joining on tour later this year.
Favourite thing about photographing musicians?
A mutual love of live music and I love the buzz at the end of a gig when the crowd and band are all pumped up.
Worst thing about photographing musicians?
Egos and sometimes bands are ungrateful. What is worst though is when they use my pictures without crediting me if they got the photos for free.
Advice to anyone who wants to be a band photographer?
Get yourself out there and get your face known and get plenty of practice.
It’s not worth spending a fortune on equipment until you’ve mastered and a more basic camera.
Model D Photography:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Email
Abi Scaife 
Leave a comment