How To Build A Music Photography Portfolio From Scratch

Behind the scenes of curating my music photography portfolio - this is where I bring together the best shots that helped me book real gigs!

How Do You Build a Music Photography Portfolio from Scratch?

I get this question all the time. Short answer? You start scrappy and strategic. My first portfolio wasn’t fancy, but it showed my eye and my passion—and that was enough to get people to give me a shot. Fast-forward to now, and I’ve photographed thousands of bands.

Here’s how you can do the same.

1. Start Where You Are

No access? No problem. Everyone starts somewhere.

Go shoot local shows, open mic nights, battle of the bands, or DIY basement gigs. You don’t need a press pass or a major artist. In fact, most smaller venues often give you full freedom to move around and experiment with angles and gear.

Offer to shoot friends’ bands, or even reach out to musicians on Instagram and say:"I’m building my music photography portfolio. Can I come take some shots of your next gig? No charge."

You’d be surprised how many say yes.

2. Learn to Shoot in Low Light

Your portfolio needs to show that you can handle tricky lighting—and concerts are notoriously dark and chaotic.

Don’t worry about having the most expensive gear. Use the gear you have, but make sure you know how to:

• Expose correctly in low light

• Avoid motion blur

• Focus quickly in fast-paced environments

Need help with that? Check out my post on the best camera settings for concert photography.

3. Showcase Variety (Even If You Have 3 Gigs to Work With)

Your portfolio doesn’t need to be massive—it just needs to show range.

Aim to include a mix of:

• Wide stage shots

• Close-up portraits

• Crowd energy

• Detail shots (instruments, setlists, lighting)

Even if you’ve only shot a few shows, curate the best examples of each to tell a story.

4. Create a Clean, Easy-to-Navigate Portfolio Page

Once you have a solid batch of photos, create a dedicated portfolio page on your website. Don’t just post everything on Instagram.

Use a clean layout that lets your photos shine. I personally use Wix because it’s easy to update, mobile-friendly, and doesn’t require coding.

Your portfolio page should include:

• Your best 15–30 photos

• Captions or artist names (optional)

• Clear contact info or a link to your contact page

5. Keep It Updated

Your first portfolio will get you your first gigs. Those gigs will give you better photos. Better photos land you better gigs.

It’s a cycle.

Set a reminder to update your portfolio every few months, especially after photographing a well-known artist or major event.

Final Thoughts

Building your music photography portfolio from scratch can feel intimidating—but every concert photographer you follow started the same way.

Be intentional, be consistent, and shoot as often as you can. Every time you press the shutter, you’re improving your craft and telling a visual story. And that story is what will get you hired.