What I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Theatre Photographer
Over the past two years working as a theatrical photographer, there is rarely a day that I don’t learn something new on the job. Live events are arguably some of the most difficult things to photograph, and theatre is no exception. While there are a lot of technical things that go into getting a great photo, there are plenty of other things that can help make your job easier. The following sections cover some things I wish I had known before covering my first show.
It is always best to watch the show you’re covering beforehand (even if you have seen it elsewhere!)
You might not always be able to see a show beforehand, but if the opportunity arises, definitely take it. Knowing the stage layout will help you anticipate your shots and be in the right place at the right time. I recommend just watching the show instead of taking photos, but it doesn’t hurt to have your camera with you just in case. Take notes of shot ideas on your phone or on a notepad. Even if you have seen the show elsewhere, the one you are shooting will be different. Every theatre has a different cast, different lighting, sets, and props. Even in the same production, each run will differ from the last. That is the magic of theatre.
Go to multiple rehearsals!
Similar to the previous section, going to multiple rehearsals will help you in the long run. Some shows are more chaotic than others, and there will be plenty of times when you miss a good shot. If you are able to return for another run of the show, then you can focus on what you missed during the last one. You might even get something new that hadn’t happened in the previous run. Like I said, every show is different.
Since I was able to watch a rehearsal before photographing these productions’ dress rehearsals, I was able to anticipate these scenes and capture from from a better perspective.
Introduce yourself to the cast and crew
Something that I appreciated at my very first photographed show was when the stage manager took me around backstage and introduced me to the cast and crew. Though the introduction was brief, I was able to make myself a familiar face to everyone so they were aware of my presence during the show. As I continued to come back to the theatre, eventually, I was able to get to know some of the actors, crewmembers and directors that would let me know of the best spots to get photos from or specific scenes to be ready for. In my own case, getting to know the cast and crew allowed me to meet and photograph costume designers and technicians for a project titled [UN]Scene.
Always ask if you can go backstage.
One of the best things about being a theatrical photographer is going backstage. Some of my favorite shots have been taken from a backstage point of view. An audience member rarely gets to see the hustle and bustle behind the scenes of a show, and it is your job as a photographer to capture that perspective for them. Before you do find your way behind the curtain, however, it is important to double-check with the director and stage manager first. The most obvious rule is not to walk on stage during a performance, but every theatre has different areas that are off-limits.
Bring multiple camera lenses
This tip is the most technical, but photographers can’t do much without their gear. The camera brand you have does not matter when it comes to taking good photos, but a good lens to use in the theatre is a 70-200mm. This lens gives you the perfect focal length to get up close to the actors without being right against the stage in the house. I would recommend against using a 70-200mm backstage. My personal lens preference for backstage is a 24-105mm lens. This lens hits the sweet spot since it can be used in-house and backstage for wide and tight shots. If you want to know more about the technical side of theatrical photography, Michael Steinbach has a great blog post about that here.
Both of these images were taken with my 24-105mm lens. The left image is from the audience perspective while the right image is backstage.
Go see the show!
To end it off, the best thank you to give to the cast and crew is going to see the show. When I worked at Wallace Theatre, I always tried to catch one of their live performances. Despite having seen the show multiple times by then, it was always a different experience, and I enjoyed bringing friends and family along with me. My favorite part about this is being able to sit back and enjoy the whole show without having to think about what shot I had to get next.
Well, there you have it. These are just a few things I’ve continuously done that help me whenever I find myself at the theatre. At the end of the day, what matters most is that you have fun on the job. If you are excited about your photos, the cast and crew will be too!
