I also get emails about it from time to time.
Some thank me for the videos on my YouTube Channel,
others ask for feedback on their work,
and some have specific questions I haven’t covered yet.
In this blog post, I want to break down one email I got in early February 2025 that falls into that last category.
I got the photographer’s permission to share, but I will be redacting all important information.
Here’s what the email said:
“Hi Tariq
My name is Brooklyn, (A made up name since I scripted this section in a cafe in Brooklyn)
I found you through your helpful videos on YouTube.
I’m reaching out because honestly, I’d like to know if you think it’s possible for sometime to make a living off of pursuing Live Music Photography.
I’m currently 23 and after working since age 16 and having just left my job in the medical field, there is truly nothing I can see myself doing aside from live music photography”
Quick interjection, I’ve definitely been there.
“I want to stay in the realm of photography career-wise but I am anxious to know if putting all my eggs in this one basket is a bad move.
I appreciate your time!
Sincerely,
Brooklyn”
Before I answer, here’s a quick story from way back that might help drive my point home.
Back in the early 2010s, my main career goal was to be a movie director.
And I remember getting in contact with a producer that I’m pretty sure was and still is working in Hollywood,
and even helped out with some of the Transformers movies at the time.
And there was one line in one of his emails that he sent me in May 2013 and it said this:
“I'm a perfect example of why you don’t NEED college to work in showbiz although I do appreciate people who do attend and I personally think it's a good idea as long as you are minoring in something completely un-related to entertainment. It's such a tough industry, you really do need a back up.”
That advice also applies to the music industry, especially on the media side.
The industry is extremely tough and very competitive. Putting all of your eggs in one basket, and the basket is concert photography - I personally think is an unwise move.
My answer to Brooklyn, in a nutshell -
Making a full-time living as a concert photographer or videographer isn’t impossible, but it’s extremely difficult.
Definitely don’t make Concert Photography your Plan A,
But if you continue to do it, and focus on it every single day,
While making reliable income elsewhere
You may find yourself in a position where you can do photography, in general, full time down the line.
Meaning you’d also need to shoot weddings, commercial work, and other high-margin gigs.
But of course this could take years until you reach this point.
And for the record,
I never did concert photography full time,
and I always had another source of income through a 9-5 to fuel it and to cover my overhead.
So to sum it up, can you make a full-time living as a concert photographer?
Technically, yes. But it’s extremely difficult and shouldn’t be your Plan A.
“Just quit your day job to become a full time concert photographer, content creator, Youtuber, whatever”
Is a blanket statement that doesn’t apply to everyone, and it definitely didn’t apply to me.
This blog post is based on an original YouTube script. Want to watch the video instead? Click here.
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