Eljay is the photography mentor for Capture Forwards; teaching aspiring photographers from disadvantaged backgrounds how to capture striking images at music festivals.

Earlier this month, Eljay was part of our Amplify x Music Photography Awards event where he joined the Capturing Live Music panel alongside Jordan Curtis Hughes, Phoebe Fox, Dave Hogan and Sacha Lecca. Following the discussion, we caught up with Eljay to ask him “What are your top five tips you can share with any photographer?” From the importance of being kind to coming out of your comfort zone and challenging yourself one step at a time, take a look at what he said below.

1. Come out of your comfort zone

Coming out of your comfort zone you will grow you as a creative, be it artists/ genres, networking with new people or new opportunities. Challenge yourself one step at a time.

Arctic Monkeys

2. Social Media Quality > Quantity

Prioritise good quality images over how much you’re putting out, social media is a great promotional tool but don’t fall in the trap of sharing the sake of it.

Silver Hayes

3. Be Kind

So simple yet so effective, good manners go along way, be good to everyone you meet and good will come back to you. You never know who will hire you or advocate you in future.

50 Cent

4. Be Different

It’s easy to come along and replicate trending photographers and styles but find your own lane. Be it positioning, your style, edit or what your look for in images. Create something new and fresh and think what can YOU bring to the table.

Central Cee

5. Study/ Prep

Anything your unaware of or skills you want to develop, put time aside even if an hour a week you can study settings on YouTube or ask more experienced photographers. If shooting new venues, always wise to get there early and look around and find best positions or to speak to show technicians about things like lights, sparks, O2 etc so you can be prepared.

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