Have you read the recent DSP post "Music Photography - 10 Photo Pit Etiquette Tips for Amateurs and Professionals"?

If not, you might want to read it before this one. If you've already read it, then please read on...

I recently penned what I thought was a comprehensive list of photo pit tips /...

Are there actual written rules for photographers when shooting from the photo pit at a music event?

In most cases, there are the usual "3 songs / no flash" rules, with possible further instructions about "access" limitations, but that's usually about it, unfortunately. The rest are...

Another year, another stellar series of summer concerts at Beech Mountain Resort in Western North Carolina.

It's hard for me to put into words how grateful I am to be the house photographer for these events for the past two summers. It's been an absolute pleasure collaborating with the marketing...

When you post a photo on social media, and you ask for constructive criticism (sometimes abbreviated as "CC"), are you truly looking for honest, objective feedback?

Or, is your ego getting the best of you, and you're just fishing for compliments, likes, or "thumbs up" emojis?

As a...

It's not about you. It's not about you. It's not about you.

If you were to ask a random sample of music photographers why they do what they do, at least nine out of ten of them would say, "Because it's fun!", or, "I love live music, and get to see my favorite bands up close and personal!"

Not...

It's official. Live music is back. And, in the year 2022, it came back with a vengeance. 

And, I've been fortunate enough to be part of that come-back, documenting countless concerts and festivals over the course of the year, mostly as part of my "house photographer" duties at the ...

The Warren Haynes Christmas Jam is back!!! (And, so am I!)

After a four-year hiatus, one in which many of us music fans thought may have been permanent, Warren Haynes brought the traditional fund-raising festival back to Asheville for 2022 as the 31st edition of the event (December 9th...

As a professional photographer and instructor, I get asked a lot of questions. But, by far, the most common question I get is...

"Dave, which camera should I buy?"

Half-jokingly, my canned response is, "Why, the Nikon D6, of course!" (or, whatever the latest and greatest DSLR or mirrorless...

I shoot a lot of music concerts, and I'm often seen roaming the venues in and around Asheville, NC with a couple of Nikon cameras hanging from my sides (two D750 bodies on a Black Rapid harness system, in case you were wondering), sporting my DSP ball cap (worn backwards, of course) and, likely,...

I have been at this photography thing for many years now, serving both the editorial and commercial photography markets (amongst other things). I've collaborated with businesses, artists, and publications both large and small. Despite their differences, one of the first questions I get asked by a...

Are you a musician or band and you are wondering why your preferred photographer just quoted you a fee to shoot an upcoming gig that is much higher than what you are going to be paid to perform at that very gig?

Do you understand why that may be the case?

Short answer: Because hiring...