Working as an in-house music venue photographer and designer on the promo team at The Cobblestones was a unique and intense experience. I’ve been fortunate to work with a range of bands across various genres during my time working there, from heavy metal to indie sets. Each shoot presents new challenges and opportunities to capture a live performance's distinctive atmosphere, blending my passion for photography with the energy of the music scene.
My journey in live music photography began nearly a decade ago. I’ve always aimed to capture the essence of a show—the intensity, the emotion, and the energy that makes live music so immersive. Whether it’s the pit or the headbanging at a metal gig or the quieter vibes of a singer-songwriter, my goal is to reflect the atmosphere of each event in a way that allows people to feel they were there.
After finishing my degree in Press and Editorial Photography, the music industry reopened its doors post-COVID, and I joined the promo team at The Cobblestones in Bridgwater. This role gave me the platform to reconnect with live events, expand my portfolio, and boost my experience with promotional design techniques. As part of the promo team, I’ve worked hard to highlight each artist’s personality and the unique vibe of every show through photography, marketing and design, aiming to draw in both regulars and newcomers to the venue.
Shooting live music is an unpredictable experience, especially with the added effects of strobe lighting and the pace of fast-changing scenes. But that’s what makes it so exciting! Each show demands a balance of spontaneity and planning, as I anticipate key moments—those split-second reactions that truly define the photos you’ll be editing the next morning. Timing is everything, and there’s nothing quite like reviewing shots and finding I captured that perfect moment when the lights, the crowd, and the performer’s energy all align.
Live music photography is challenging and rewarding, and no two shows are ever quite the same. Even when photographing the same artist in the same venue, the lighting, crowd energy, and onstage interactions shift each time, creating new visual stories to capture. It’s a dynamic process that I’ve come to appreciate deeply and one that keeps my approach fresh. Working with artists at various stages in their careers has not only enriched my portfolio but also allowed me to creatively grow alongside musicians navigating the live scene.
Working in one singular venue for the majority of your shoots also gives time to understand the lighting and gives you the freedom to predict where to stand for each upcoming big moment in an artist’s set to get the most engaging and representative photo possible. Time and freedom to do this aren’t common in live music photography, and it is a benefit of working in-house.
While the environment I was working in at The Cobblestones has had a lot of challenges, I’m grateful for the chance to do what I love: photographing live music. The experience gave me hope that finding a venue without these environmental issues would be a dream to work in. The experience gained and the massive increase to your portfolio that happens almost overnight is extremely beneficial.Â
I hope to get back into the music scene again in this way after relocating to South Wales, and look forward to the energy and split-second decisions that make the job so exciting and challenging!
Are you a venue owner or band member looking for new photos? Feel free to get in touch, I offer everything from live music to music videos and press release shoots!
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