Through the Lens: Jaydengraphss

A conversation with Jaydengraphss, a Scottish photographer within the Music Industry.

Live event photography is an extremely important part of the music industry. It gives the ability to capture the energy and atmosphere of a show. Scottish photographer Jaydengraphss, has built his ever-growing reputation for capturing live performances, working with artists such as Calum Bowie, Alessi Rose, Sunday (1994), and Jessie Reyez. In this article, we talked with Jayden about his insight into the industry, his journey, and the challenges faced when shooting a live event.

Interview with Jaydengraphss

Starting out

A peak into how Jayden first developed a passion for live event photography and began to build his experience within the Scottish music scene.

How did you first get into live event photography?

I first got into concert photography a couple of years ago by accident, actually! I found this superrrrr old digital camera my Great Grandad used in like 2006 on holiday, and decided to start taking to gigs to make my Insta look a little nicer, and thought maybe I could do it properly.

What inspired you to start shooting gigs?

I think what inspired me to start shooting gigs was just the fact that I had been going to so many and thought that I could make something out of doing something I loved so much. Also, being at these gigs helped me build friendships with a couple of the photographers from over the barrier just casually, which also played a part in starting!

The Pro's + Cons

Exploring the rewarding aspects and challenges that come with capturing fast-paced live performances.

What's your favourite part about photographing live music?

Some of my favourite parts about photographing live music are probably the fans, whether they are in TEARS or dancing around, no 2 shows are going to look the same.

What is your favourite venue and artist you've photographed so far?

My favourite venue to shoot in has to be either King Tuts or St Luke's. King Tut's has been a venue I've been going to for years now, and is such an iconic place for the entire Scottish music scene, and St Luke’s is just such a beautiful space to capture.

One of my all-time favourite artists to photograph is Abbie Gordon, as no gig with her is ever the same; we could go from a festival crowd with 15 people to a sold-out Barrowlands with 2000 people.

What are some of the challenges with live event photography?

There are definitely a few challenges that come with doing live event photography, and I think the biggest one is comparing yourself to other people, whether that’s what equipment you use or how much money someone else is making, etc.

The Essentials

An insight into equipment, preparation, and skills that are required to successfully shoot gigs and events.

What equipment do you typically use?

I like to keep my equipment really simple for a show, as it helps me not completely stress out and shut down before a show. I use the Sony a7rii with either a 50mm prime lens or a 28-74mm zoom lens based on where I'm shooting. I always keep an external flash, spare battery, SD card, cleaning kit, and some cool lens filters.

How do you capture the energy of a live show?

Capturing the energy of a show is SUPER difficult with just a photo, but I try my best to capture the vibes within the photos I take, with my crowd shots, or if the artist moves around a lot, a little shutter drag helps show the vibe!

Advice

Guidance for aspiring photographers who may be hoping to break into live event photography and build their own careers.

What is your advice for someone who wants to start a career in live music photography?

A couple of things I’d say to someone aspiring to pursue concert photography kind of applies to the question before, which is don’t compare yourself to anyone! Everyone is in the same position, and photography is unique to each photographer! I'd also say no matter what gear or equipment you have or use, you aren’t any less than anyone either. I used to think I wasn’t as good as others just starting out. And finally, you won’t just get booked off the bat; it takes time, contacts, and putting yourself out there!

What's next?

Looking towards future goals, ambitions and opportunities within the music industry.

What are your future goals with photography?

A HUGE goal of mine for this year is to photograph an arena show or a festival (fingers crossed).

Through his dedication, creativity, and understanding of the live music environment, Jayden continues to grow his presence within the music industry. His work highlights how important it is to capture moments from a concert. As he continues to work on his craft, the photography reflects the passion behind the job.

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