Starting out in music photography can be pretty daunting, especially when you see all of the fancy gear and software big-names in the industry use. However, there are some options for beginners that are sure to get the job done. I’m a firm believer in that it’s not what you have, but rather how you use what you do have. There’s no reason to own a super intricate camera if you have no idea how to use it! My gear is pretty standard, and on the low-cost end of things. This list is going to give you an idea of what I use every time I shoot a show, where I got it, and why I recommend it. That being said, here are my essential ten items for shooting shows:

1) Canon T6 

When I started out, I wanted to stick with what I knew how to use, so I opted for a Canon T6 since I was familiar with the model. This kit comes with anything you could need (batteries, charger, SD card, bag, and two lenses)! This is almost the exact same kit I purchased, and at $450 total, it’s a steal for how much use you’ll get out of it. I recently got to share a photo pit with one of my favorite photographers, Ryan Watanabe. He said in an interview once that “gear is just a tool, it’s nothing if you don’t know how to use it properly.” Knowing that he said that, I felt super confident in my gear alongside him and the other photographers there. Just because you’ve got a starter kit, doesn’t mean you aren’t super talented! Take time to learn your gear and familiarize yourself with it. Since this kit comes with two lenses, this is a great time to do that.

2) Macbook Pro

You’re probably thinking to yourself “oh my god, that’s so expensive,” but hear me out! I have a 13-inch 2017 Macbook Pro, and it’s still working perfectly two years down the line. Plus, being able to store my stuff in the cloud and access it from my phone whenever and wherever has been super helpful on-the-go. It was an investment, but between work and school, it’s paid off!

3) Editing Software

I adore the Adobe Creative Suite. I personally use Lightroom, Bridge, Photoshop, and Illustrator pretty regularly to edit my photos! There’s a lot of flexibility with prices and subscription plans (shoutout to that student discount), and even free versions of their apps for your phone! I also use Final Cut Pro X when I edit video; it’s not an Adobe software, but it’s a great middle ground between iMovie and Adobe Premiere. 

4) Yongnuo 50mm lens

Allow me to introduce you to the holy grail of beginner lenses. See that shot? I took that with my trusty Yongnuo 50mm, which is only $50! One of my favorite photographers, Matty Vogel, says that this lens is “an excellent choice to wet your feet without spending much money”. This is a great lens to use from the photo pit or close up in the crowd. 

5) Spare SD Cards

You’d be surprised with how quickly you’ll go through SD cards. I use a 64 GB one, and after shooting two or three shows, it’s full! Stock up on a few spare ones to keep on hand so you aren’t fumbling with your camera and trying to delete old photos in between sets. 

6) Apple Thunderbolt Adapter

You know how Apple is with switching up the ports on their laptops. I use a Thunderbolt adapter to pull the photos and videos off my camera, since my Macbook Pro doesn’t have an SD card slot. 

7) Presets

Lightroom presets are going to be your best friend while you’re experimenting with finding a style you like for your photos, and they’re awesome for quick edits. To shout Matty out again, he’s got some great paid preset options and he also has some sick free ones here! Above is an example of just how powerful presets can be. On the top is the original image I took, and on the bottom is the same image with a preset applied to it.

8) Passport Storage

You’re going to think you’ll be fine storing all of your files from shoots on your laptop or in the cloud, and you’ll be wrong! I’ve been told all throughout college that if you don’t have your files backed up in three places (cloud, laptop, and externally), they aren’t really saved. Best Buy has an awesome option here (4TB at $110) for a passport hard drive that will be useful as you begin to shoot more.

9) ID

It seems obvious, but remember to always keep your ID on you! You won’t be able to pick up your tickets or photo passes at will call without it! 

10) Backpack

Camera bags can be pretty big, and hard to store in the photo pit (especially when you aren’t using all the gear in it). I use a mini Loungefly bag to store my lenses in, and wear my camera around my neck. However, those can be kind of pricey! If you can find one, a mini backpack is great to store your lenses, wallet, and phone in. They’re also small enough to store under the barricade at shows, whether you’re shooting them or attending them.

And…that’s it! Those are my ten essentials for shooting shows! I get asked about my gear all the time, so I hope that this gives you a glimpse into what I use on a daily basis, and what I recommend to beginners. Again, it’s about how you use what you have, not what you have. If you have different gear or prefer other things, that’s totally okay! I always encourage people to use what they think suits their needs best. Do you agree with my choices? Are there other gear options you prefer over what I listed? Let me know in the comments!