You’ve read the guide. Now you might be asking yourself, where do I start? If you’re wondering about gear, access, or what your next steps should be, we’ve got you. We have created a practical action plan to help. You don’t need passes or expensive equipment to uncover your talent. You can start today. Right where you are.
This wrap-up guide is focused on taking action. You don’t become a music photographer by reading about it - it happens through practice, experimentation and developing your unique style.
Think about the music photographers you’re inspired by…they started where you are: at the beginning. What got them to where they are today? Consistency. Practice. Showing up. Learning. It’s all part of the process.
Here’s how this guide works.
This guide will give you practical steps you can take straight away to start building your skills, confidence and experience in music photography. Right now. Exactly where you are. With whatever camera you’ve got. With whatever access you have. Each step has been designed build your skills through action. Let’s begin.
1. Photograph Your First Gig
How to start: Begin small – it could be open mic nights, local pubs, or friends’ bands are great places to experiment without pressure.
Action step:
- Find a local venue hosting free entry live shows this month. Reach out to the venue or a local band or artist and ask if you can photograph their next performance. Taking that first step can lead to new opportunities and build confidence.
2. Practice capturing Music Portraits
How to start: Spend time exploring different locations and notice how each space could work for a portrait. Different environments or unexpected places can spark ideas before you pick up the camera.
Action steps:
- Ask a local musician, or even a friend if you can take their portrait and try out different ideas together.
- Choose a location that will work for the shoot.
Get inspired by the finalists of the Abbey Road Music Photography Awards Portrait category. These images highlight the use of different environments to create captivating portraiture that tells a story. Check out the link here.
If you’d like to experiment creating a studio set at home, check out this insightful podcast episode with photographer and visual artist Alia Romagnoli, where she shares how to build an at-home setup.
Photo courtesy of MPA25 Finalist, Alice Backham. "I shot the artwork for Kayla Grace's first EP. The brief was for something to introduce people to her world. Having her standing at the gate makes you feel like she’s daring you to step through and join her. We shot this in my stepdads garden with an all female/they crew - a location I’ve used for five different artists now, it's a location that keeps on giving!"
3. Photograph. Review. Refine. Repeat.
How to start: Practice your craft. Keep creating, then take the time to look back at your work, understand what’s working and what you want to improve. Every creation becomes part of your learning.
Action steps:
- Plan your next few shoots in a way that feels manageable for you.
- After each, review your images and note what worked and what you want to refine for the next.
4. Start Building Your Portfolio
How to start: Create a gallery of around 15–20 images that feel the strongest to you.
Think about:
- What do you want this work to say?
- What do you want this work to express?
- Are you focusing on a genre like live gigs or portraiture?
Action step:
- Edit the images so they sit together as a small cohesive body of work. This process will help you develop your eye and begin defining your style.
Tips: Keep a version of your early selections - you’ll be able to see how your eye and style has evolves over time. Ask for feedback from different people – this is a great way to see your work from a different perspective.
5. Join Photography Communities
How to start: Get involved with photography communities where you can meet other creatives who share your interests. Local groups, meet-ups and workshops are great places to stay inspired, learn new skills and feel part of the wider music photography world.
Action step:
- Find a group or online community to join. Look out for portfolio review sessions or image-feedback opportunities - getting input from other photographers is a valuable addition to your growth.
Where to find communities:
- Local photography meet-ups or workshops
- Gallery or art events
- Music photography online groups
- Photography forums
- Join the MPA Music Photographers community - we offer meetups, portfolio reviews and networking opportunities as part of the Accelerator
Tip: Community matters. Being around other photographers gives you shared experiences and the support to grow.
Photo courtesy of UK Black Female Photographers (UKBFTOG) community
6. Storytelling
How to start: Build a narrative across a body of work. Look for themes - energy, emotion, identity, community or culture and capture images that connect to that idea over time. Mix portraits, live moments, details and environment so the story grows with each shoot.
Action step:
- Create a small series of 6–10 images around a theme and arrange them in an order that feels like a visual story.
7. How Music Photography Has Developed Over Time
How to start: Learn about the fascinating history of how music photography has evolved and the key images that defined have different eras and the photographers who have shaped it. Building this awareness deepens your understanding of music photography.
Action step:
- Set aside time to explore landmark images and influential bodies of work. Notice the eras, styles and cultural moments that have shaped music photography.
When you hear no. Along your journey, you will hear “no” - it’s part of the process. Seeing “no” as a point of learning rather than a hard stop helps you keep moving. When you try again, you build resilience and confidence. Taking action is rewarding, even before you reach a “yes.”
