5 lessons i learned from Shooting Small Shows that Taught Me Everything About Big Moments

5 Lessons I Learned from Shooting Local Bands (That Apply to Any Gig)

I got my start in the kind of dive bars where nobody cared if I blinded every last soul in the room with my flash—as long as the drinks were flowing and the band didn’t suck, I had free reign to roam. I barely knew what I was doing back then, just figuring it out shot by shot. But those nights—the sweat, the smoke, the chaos—laid the foundation for everything I do now.

People didn’t just tolerate me—they welcomed me. If I asked to snap their photo mid-cig break, they’d pose like rockstars under buzzing neon signs. Most of the time, I had no clue who was playing, and more than once, I ended up on stage singing a cover like I’d rehearsed it. That’s always been my sweet spot: fully immersed, slightly unhinged, and completely in love with whatever moment I’ve found myself in.

Those grungy venues became my bootcamp. I made every mistake in the book—wrong settings, blown-out shots, gear that nearly got beer-baptized—but I learned. I learned how to be fast, how to be fluid, and how to shoot like the room might collapse at any second (because sometimes it felt like it might).

And I kept showing up.

Even now, I love shooting local sets with barely a dozen people in the crowd. The quieter the room, the more it feels like something sacred’s happening. Those are the nights that stick with me. And honestly? I’ve always just liked talking to people. I didn’t call it networking then—it was just connecting. But that’s the thing that’s followed me everywhere: people like having me around. It’s mutual.

Here are 5 things I learned in those dive bars that still guide me, no matter how big the gig:

1. Expect the Unexpected—and Embrace It

Dive bars and small shows are unpredictable by nature. Maybe the lighting breaks, maybe someone forgets their amp, maybe there’s a pit in the bathroom mid-set. You adapt or you miss the shot.

💡 Pro tip: Know your gear so well you don’t have to think about it. When the energy shifts, your only job is to feel it—and catch it.

2. Relationship First, Camera Second

The best photos don’t come from a good angle—they come from trust. People open up when they feel seen. Spend time before the show, hang after, say thank you. Be a human first.

💡 Pro tip: Your vibe sets the tone. If you're open, curious, and chill, people will give you everything you need to capture their truth.

3. Bad Lighting = Good Creativity

I’ve shot under flickering fluorescents, neon bar signs, and literal candlelight. And somehow, those weird lighting setups taught me more than any studio ever could.

💡 Pro tip: Don’t fight the light. Lean into the weirdness. Let it shape the story.

4. The Gold Is in the In-Between

Some of my favorite photos weren’t from the set—they were from the parking lot, the green room, the smoke breaks, the after-show collapse. That’s where people let their guard down. That’s where the real magic is.

💡 Pro tip: Stay late. Keep your camera close. Some of the best moments happen when everyone thinks the night is over.

5. Be Part of the Scene, Not Just a Fly on the Wall

When you're shooting a local show, you’re part of the ecosystem. Don’t just lurk—show up. Be someone the scene knows, not just someone who shows up with a lens.

💡 Pro tip: Talk to strangers. Help lift a speaker. Compliment someone’s band tee. The more you give, the more the space gives back.

Final Thought:

Those early shows shaped me—not just as a photographer, but as a person. They gave me grit, community, and a clear sense of what kind of stories I want to tell. Whether I’m backstage at a festival or in a half-empty bar on a Tuesday, I carry those lessons with me.

Because no matter where I go, I’ll always be that girl with a camera, chasing life like it’s on fire.