Getting Started with 3 Quick Tips to Photography within the African Music Industry:
African Music photography scene can be exhilarating, thrilling, entertaining, fast-paced, unpredictable, exciting, problematic and absolutely mind-blowing. Embarking on this genre can give you great exposure to incredible African artists, giving you more insight into unreleased work, the process, and more. You at times get a front-row seat before albums are released to the general public. With this genre, you get the opportunity to travel around the world on tours, shows, special performances, behind the scenes of music videos, and so much more. You are trusted to create iconic and sometimes inspiring images.
However, it can also be the most challenging role to navigate being a full-time African music photographer whilst also being the most rewarding genre of photography, in my opinion.
The uniqueness of African music photography can result in a body of work that could elevate your career to the next level or be spoken about in years to come; on the other hand, because archiving is a problematic issue in Africa as Africans have not yet been successful in telling our own musical stories and documenting them!
The continent of Africa is undoubtedly very much about music with genres of music spanning from centuries ago, which have gone on to form our most recent and recognised genres of music like Afrobeats, Amapiano, Bongo, etc., which was birthed from traditional and cultural events to contemporary concerts and festivals. Music is practically part of our DNA and daily lives in Africa.
The African music industry is relatively a developing industry, unlike the established Western music industry; this is why tips to get into the African Music photography scene will be different from what you may have read or found on the web.
If you are a music fan and like documenting, then African Music photography might be a dream job or career for you and here are my simple three tips to get you started:
- How to Get into African Music Photography
With African Music photography, you should aim to shoot the most prominent artists, shows, concerts, and festivals and get paid to do so.
The music industry in Africa is in a “developing state“, and investments are coming into the industry. Still, little or peanuts are coming down to photographers and most creatives.
You may need to accept a lot of “small” gigs initially for little to no money, and unfortunately, that is just the way it is. The upside to this is you are allowed to “cut your teeth” in the industry and gain both knowledge and experience plus a catalogue of work doing so. However, the other opinion is to say “no” to non-paying gigs, and the consequence is that you might not have a portfolio to present even if a client wants to pay you for your services!
Moreover, one of the best ways to get into photography within the African music scene is to build a relationship with talented emerging artists or a frequently booked DJ by photographing their performances at shows that will give you access to gigs, concerts, and events. It’s a win-win for both yourself and the emerging artists. If your images stand out, paid opportunities will start to come your way, which could lead to established artists, record labels, promoters, and PR agencies booking your services.
For example, I became Yemi Alade’s official photographer by travelling to Paris on the invite of presenter Shope Olajide and photographing her gig.
One of my images stood out from the concert, and as they say, the rest is history. I then started to get paid to document her shows around the globe.
There are different strategies to getting started, but this particular one has been tried and tested, and it worked for me.
Click to Read about Michael Tubes’s Women in African Music Exhibition
- Secret weapon
When I started my photography career in the Afro music scene, a tiny handful of established photographers filtrated the African entertainment scene within the UK. I was trying to figure out different strategies and the best one to call my own! One of the secret weapons I used to get traction in the industry was producing and delivering quality images without delay (this meant a lot of sleepless nights….I.e. if a concert finished at 11 pm and I got home by 1 am… I’m editing for promoters to have the images by 5 am). This was my method of “attack mode” long before working as a freelance photographer for the mainstream media.
I must mention, my “attack mode” at the time was not a new thing in the industry and images were produced in real-time and available in seconds all around me; However, the loophole I discovered in the African entertainment industry was that images were often not ready until a couple of days or weeks had passed after the events have ended.
My vision partnered with my “attack mode” meant things were starting to merge right before me. As my talent married with my plans, my turnover had become very impressive and took the attention of promoters, artists and artists managers. Hence, in no time, I became one of the sorts after photographers in the UK and the name you know today.
When Flavour hired me to work with him on his ‘Flavour of Africa’ tour within several African countries, he and his team mentioned that it was due to my professionalism, ability to produce and deliver good quality images in real-time that grabbed their attention in seeking me out.
I am very aware that this is a real issue in some parts of Africa. To that, my advice to those serious about their craft and Africa is to develop the skills you have, capture and deliver unique imagery unique to your client without delay. You will set an incredible accomplishment that will set you apart from the crowd.
- Photography Equipment
Most times, I am asked what equipment do I use? My answer always remains the same: to use the best camera available to you.
My name is Michael Tubes, and I am a celebrity photographer. I started my photography career using the D90, which became my right hand for years before I invested in a D800, a full-frame camera.
I used the equipment available to me to hone my craft, producing images for those that offered me opportunities; these job opportunities helped build the brand I have today.
Your creative ideas are your determining factor, not your photography equipment, to be a sort out, African music photographer! Your unique vision will make you stand out.
You could have thousands of pounds of expensive equipment, but if you don’t possess the creative sauce to use the equipment as an instrument is to a music artist, then that very equipment is a waste of space.I encourage all in the photography field to use your existing equipment to express your creativity and then, from there, let the world see what you are made of.
View some of the images by Michael Tubes
Paris, France. April 7 2017. Yemi Alade performs at Le Trianon, Paris. Photographed by Michael Tubes
London, United Kingdom. October 19 2019. Wizkid was performing live at starboy fest at The 02 Arena. Photographed by Michael Tubes
London, United Kingdom. May 26 2018. Manager Mr Sunday Are speaking to Wizkid before going on stage for his Afrorepublik concert at the 02 Arena. Photographed by Michael Tubes.
London, UK. July 19 2015. Femi Kuti was performing at Walthamstow Garden Party 2015.
London, United Kingdom. May 16 2017. Soundcheck at iconic Maida Vale studios before Jidenna’s performance. Photographed by Michael Tubes.
London, United Kingdom. June 19 2014. Behind the scene music video ‘BUNDELELE’ by AWILO LONGOMBA. Photographed by Michael Tubes.
London, United Kingdom. January 27 2019. Idris Elba with Davido in his dressing room before his concert at the 02 Arena. Photographed by Michael Tubes.
London, United Kingdom. August 21 2018. Tiwa Savage in the dancing studio rehearsing for her concert at The Indigo 02, Photographed by Michael Tubes.
London, UK. March 11 2016. BTS of Sarkodie’s UK Concert at Indigo at The 02. Photographed by Michael Tubes.
London, United Kingdom. August 21 2014. Rapper Aka vibing in the Recording studio. Photographed by Michael Tubes.
London, United Kingdom. November 3 2019. Burnaboy Performed at his African Giant Tour. Photographed by Michael Tubes
London, United Kingdom. October 3, 2021. Asa performs live on stage at Electric Brixton. Photographed by Michael Tubes
Getting Started with 3 Quick Tips to Photography within the African Music Industry:
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