There are a million different reasons you can end up in the photo pit. Maybe you applied for a pass, your editor sent you out on assignment, or a press contact invited you to a show. Regardless of why you’re there, there’s eight do’s and don’ts that you must know about in order to make the most of your time. Your time in the pit is limited (three songs per artist, on average), and it can go by super quickly if you aren’t aware of what you’re doing. It can also be a super big change from shooting shows at open-access venues — that’s why I’m here to help! If I could survive my first photo pit, then so can you, and that’s why I’m sharing these eight tips I’ve learned along the way.

1- DO… Get to the Venue Early

I’ll be the first to admit that I got to the venue way too early for my first photo pass. There’s no reason to be there two hours early, but there’s no reason to be coming in after doors have opened for the show. Now, I usually arrive at the venue no earlier than an hour before doors, but no later than a half hour until. Sometimes a media escort will take you in; other times you’ll need to wait in line with the fans. There’s also bound to be mishaps at will call sometimes, and it can be a pain just trying to pick up your credentials. It sucks, it happens, but if you get there early, it won’t affect your day. That being said…

2- DON’T… Go in Blindly

Do your research! I cannot stress this enough. Research the venue you’re shooting at, the show you’re shooting, and ask other photographers their experiences with both. Some venues don’t have media escorts, and you need to wiggle through the crowd to get to the photo pit; doing your research ahead of time can tell you what that credential pickup is going to be like, and how early you need to be to get to the pit without fighting the sea of fans. Researching can also tell you if you’ll be shooting from the photo pit, or elsewhere in the venue. Lots of artists also have cool lighting setups or effects, so take some time to watch videos of those first three songs so you have an idea of what you’ll be working with. Lexi Shannon of At The Barricade states that “All of these little factors play a huge role in how easy or difficult your job is,” and she’s absolutely right. A little research can take a lot of stress off of you. 

3- DO… Network

I’ve met so many awesome people through shooting shows, fans and photographers alike. You’re going to be working with those photographers all night, so you might as well talk to them! Exchange your socials, discuss your work, make friends. You never know who you might stumble across again in the future, so make sure to forge positive connections with those familiar faces.

4- DON’T… Post Your Credentials

It seems like a no-brainer, but that excitement can get the best of you if you aren’t thinking clearly. Credentials should never be posted online or sent to your friends, as they can be faked and give access to people who aren’t supposed to have it. Take pride in knowing that something super cool and exclusive is in your hands that night, and make it count!

5- DO… Be Friendly To Security

At the end of the day, security calls the shots. It doesn’t matter if you’re only one song into the set — if you’re in the way of them doing their job, they’ll escort you out of the pit. This is where doing your research can come in handy again. If you know a song will have lots of crowdsurfers, stay super aware of your surroundings. Security needs to catch them, and you don’t want them to take a kick to your camera, so let security through! If you aren’t alert, security can’t do their job, and you can’t do yours. Popular music photography blogger Matthias Hombauer put it best when he stated that “The security guards are also protecting you.” 

6- DON’T… Stay in One Spot

It’s a great feeling to find that perfect angle in the photo pit, but other photographers are looking for the perfect spot too! Move around, try out different spots, and let others try those spots out too. If you need to get past someone, a courtesy tap is all you need to do. Also, please don’t stand in the pit. It’s one thing to stand while you’re moving around, but blocking the fans who waited to get that great view on barricade isn’t the best idea! I always tell fans while I’m in the pit that I’ll be moving around, but to not hesitate to tell me if I’m blocking their view.

7- DO… Be Aware of Your Settings

I was so overwhelmed when I shot my first show in the photo pit that I was hardly paying attention to the settings I was using. The opener’s photos couldn’t be salvaged while I was editing. Those three songs go by quickly, so check your settings as you shoot to make sure your pictures are turning out alright. Don’t spend the whole time checking over pictures though — you don’t want to miss a good shot!

8- DON’T… Forget to Have a Good Time

Your first time in the photo pit is going to be an experience you’ll never forget. Live in the moment, have a great time, and know that this is the first of many awesome career moments you’ll experience as a photographer.

These eight tips are ones I’ve found to be super helpful to keep in mind as I’ve shot shows. While your first time in the photo pit can seem scary, it’s a super fun experience that you’ll never forget! Have you been in the photo pit before? What was it like? Would you guys like to hear the full story of my first time in the photo pit? Let me know in the comments below!