Gigraphy Corner - Tips for your first show on a press pass

Receiving your first press pass for a gig is an incredibly exciting milestone in your photography journey, but also once that can be nerve-wracking, especially if you're not too sure what to expect. In our ongoing pursuit to help those looking to take the next step in their career, we asked our contributors for their advice on what they wish they'd known before shooting their first show, with some tips that will hopefully make yours the fun experience it should be!

First up we have Tallulah (tallulahalicephotography), who sent in "Use autofocus and continuous shutter mode and talk to other photographers and talk to the othe photographers and fans! And don't be afraid to ask fans to move if there isn't a photo pit!".

Autofocus and continuous shutter mode are invaluable tools to gig photographers, especially early on if you're still honing your skills when it comes to following targets on stage. Onto talking to photographers and fans, networking is one of the best methods of building your presence, both within the community and on social media! Chatting to other photographers, other than being a great way to pass the time while you wait for the acts to start, can also lead to you hearing about other publications and artists as well as possibly pick up on some tricks if they've shot that venue or act before.

Next up is Wez (wez.dale), who starts is submission with "Do your stretches", something which we can personally attest to. Sometimes you're going to have to get creative with your poses, so be ready to have some sore limbs in the morning. His following tip of "prepare for a royal rumble style brawl in the pit" we hope you take less literally, but it does raise a point on how the photo pit can feel. A busy pit can be intimidating, even more so if this is the first one you've ever been in. With everyone moving around each other to get the best shots they can, it can certainly be a lot. But this follows on to our next submission...

Christina's (christinx.cxptures) advice was "Be courteous to other photographers and try not to get in each others way. Also - just don't be a dick". When you're all trying to navigate the pit, if everyone was out for themselves no one would come out with any useable pictures. If someone is clearly lining up a shot just wait a few seconds until they've got it, let others who are waiting know when it's safe to walk in front of you, and make sure you're aware of everyone around you. It'll make everyone's time in the pit easier, and leave everyone with better work. And yeah, don't be a dick!

On the theme of not being a dick, Nic (nicgoesgigging) said "Always respect your venue staff, they're working too. And PRs have a thankless job, so be nice to them". Venue staff, from bartenders to security, are there long before you arrive and will be there long after you've left, so treat them with respect and without doing anything that's going to make their shifts more difficult. If you have contact with one of the artists PR staff, once again just treat them with respect - not only will they have been working extremely hard behind the scenes (not to mention being responsible for you being at the gig in the first place in most cases), but these are also the people whose good books you absolutely want to be in.

Finally we have Felicity (felicitybfphotography) with one of the most important tips on this list, simply putting "BRING EARPLUGS". Even if you're only in the pit for three songs, that' still around 10 minutes of being stood next to massive stacks of speakers. Leaving a gig with your ears ringing might be a familiar feeling, but that doesn't mean it's a good one! If you want to be able to continue listening to and enjoying live music without discomfort, get yourself a good pair of earplugs.

A massive thank you to everyone who contributed to this piece, and be sure to go and check out their work!