How to Get Better Photos and Videos at Your Gigs (Without Hiring a Pro)

You just played a killer set. The crowd was into it. The sound was tight. But when you get home, you realise no one captured it. No photos. No video. Nothing worth posting. Another gig gone - and nothing to show for it.

If you're an unsigned band, you can't afford to miss those moments. Every show is an opportunity to create content that connects - and it doesn’t need to cost you a thing.

Start by assigning someone. Don’t leave it to chance. Ask a friend, fan, or fellow band member’s partner to shoot. Give them your phone or camera and let them know you’d love a few photos and short clips. It doesn’t have to be perfect - it just has to exist.

Think about where you’ll be posting. If it’s for Instagram Stories or Reels, short 10-30 second clips are gold. If it’s for a feed post, landscape shots of your set or the crowd go further. If it’s for a YouTube clip or submission video, steady framing and clear sound matter most.

Sound quality is the trickiest part. If you're filming on a phone, place it off to the side - not directly in front of the speakers. Avoid clipping and distortion. If you can run a feed from the mixing desk to a Zoom recorder or phone audio input, even better. But don’t overcomplicate it. You’ll learn and improve each time.

Lighting makes a huge difference. If the venue has decent stage lights, great - but even a few basic LED uplights from Amazon can transform your setup. Bring them. Set them up. Turn a standard pub corner into a stage. Your videos will instantly look better.

Before the set, take a quick group photo. Doesn’t matter if it’s backstage, outside the venue, or against a grimy wall - that one photo could be the thumbnail or press image that represents the whole night.

After the gig, collect everything. Ask the person who filmed to AirDrop or send the files. Back them up. Label them clearly. You’ll thank yourself when you’re building out promo for your next single or applying for a festival slot and need visual proof that you exist and can perform.

And when you post, don’t just say “great gig last night.” Use the footage to tell a story. A quick caption about how it felt, something funny that happened onstage, or a quote from someone in the crowd makes the post personal - and that’s what cuts through.

Your live shows are already happening. You’re already doing the work. Capturing it properly means that one night keeps working for you long after the amps go off.