>>4237316I've been shooting for a while, probably depends on your local scene. This past summer I was working 2-3 shows a week, not all of them paid well but they were all for local bands.
I've done a couple magazine shoots for big mags - picrel is NAV at Scotiabank for NEXTMAG, but it didn't pay much - probably because they only really need ~5 photos delivered next day.
If you want to make money in your local scene, get hired by a promoter / events company to make content for their socials. I've been working with a new booker who just started, she pays me $80-100 an hour CAD for stills, video is extra. It's more of a general events photography gig but shooting the bands + crowd is a big part of it.
You could also reach out to touring bands but they may or may not have money. Most people who 'make money' from it will sell images to magazines themselves, or will go on tour with them hired by their booker/label/management.
That being said, some bands will absolutely pay top dollar if your work is good. I definitely undercharge for my work but what I'm making from shows is always in line for what the bands are making so it's par for the course.
If you do a good job with live photos, and bands need promo / EPK / portrait type stuff, you can defs charge way more for a devised shoot like that.
Hope this helps, happy to answer any questions or connect on socials :)
I should note that concert photos is a passion of mine that I can make money off, not my goal to freelance full time. I'm a bit more choosey with the gigs I take because there are some bands or venues in my city that I don't really want to work in. Conversely, there are a few bands that I would absolutely work for free just because the art that comes out of the shoots is so great.
