Does anyone have experience as a "concert photographer"? I am interested but don't know where to start!

^ This.

I've shot smaller festivals just by emailing and asking- but we're talking really small. I've also shot bigger bands such as STS9, but I have a website and production company backing me.

I started by luck in college when a student on mine saw a photo I took and invited me to shoot his band. I said yes, but warned him things might suck as first.

The first show photos did suck. But I made a major effort to train up and bugged him to get me into their next show at a big venue. I did a lot better that time and they invited me back to shoot their band publicity photos for money. Not great money, but any money at all is better than most concert photo.

After that I managed to get into a smaller festival for free just be emailing the management and showing them my previous work. Since I'm also a medic I ended up helping them a lot. I wouldn't expect this to work as well with larger festivals, as they tend to have their shit more together. But the lesson here is that it can't hurt to apply.

Since then I've been working at a pro photographer in other fields. But I do shoot shows of larger bands like STS9 from time to time. I have a website / production company backing me and they handle all my credentials and whatnot. I approached them as they were growing and used my previous work (concert and other) to get in.

So, find any smaller in you can and nail it. Your first work is gonna suck, so don't start with your dream gig and blow it. Since it sounds like you're starting photography in general, don't set your sights too high. But keep practicing and networking and build your way up. You probably won't get paid. I rarely do. The vast majority of shooters I know in music aren't getting paid.

But, you know, follow your dreams.

/r/photography Thread