In the Studio with Concert Photographer Brad Price

Today, we’re going In the Studio with concert photographer Brad Price from Annapolis, Maryland. He has been photographing concerts since 2017, and launched Planet B Photography on Halloween 2019. Live music is his favorite thing to photograph, and having to go a year and a half without it wounded his soul. Now that live shows have returned, that wound is healed, and you may just spot a long-haired man in a red coverall with a camera lurking in a photo pit; he is a happy man indeed.

His concert photography is currently on display in the Hal Gomer Gallery at the Chesapeake Arts Center in the Rock n Roll Concert Photography exhibit until October 2, 2021.

Here’s Brad talking about his background, and passion for photography:

1)Which band is your favorite to photograph and why? Gwar is hands down my favorite band to photograph; they have been my favorite band since I was a weird 7th grader. If you're brave enough to enter the photo pit at a Gwar show, you're putting your expensive camera into the crosshairs of spewing blood and bodily fluids. You run the risk of really damaging your gear...but then again, attending a Gwar show at all puts you at risk of certain death! The reward is getting incredible photographs of a band truly unlike any other, and it's worth the risk every time.

2)Which photographer(s) influence you as a photographer? Which photographer(s) inspire your work? 

Angela Owens is one of my favorite photographers. She's shot a TON of hardcore shows, and her style is so unique and rad. Jamie Wdziekonski is another photographer whose work I'm a big fan of. When he released his book of photos from touring with King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Chunky, I was at work, so I set an alarm to run to the bathroom to make sure I didn't miss out on buying a copy. Thankfully, I was able to score one, because when I went out on my lunch break less than a half hour later, he was all sold out. I often see it on my bookshelf and go back through it to look at all my favorite photos again. Ryan Vizzions is a photographer who inspires me as on a different level. He's currently on year 2 of a 5 year journey to photograph all of America while living out of the van that he renovated.

3) Is there a specific venue that you enjoy photographing at? 

The 9:30 Club is such an amazing venue. So many formative moments in my life were shows that I went to there, (my first time seeing Gwar, and the only time I got to see them before Dave Brockie's passing; my sister taking me to my first Andrew W.K. show) and the first time I was able to photograph a show there was another moment to add to that list. Andrew W.K. was playing there on the same day my semester was ending, and I donned my go-to white outfit, complete with party hat, that I wear to every Andrew W.K. show. Wearing my party outfit with the added accessory of a photo pass, in the venue I grew up loving, after taking my last final for the semester, made me feel like I was coming home to the best celebration of life one could imagine.

Is there a message you hope your photographs convey? What would you like to say through your photographs? The celebration of self-expression is ultimately what I hope people feel and take with them when they see my photos.

When did you find your passion for photography? I remember being on a field trip to the aquarium in elementary school and having a disposable camera with me and being really stoked on the idea of taking a picture of a shark. Sharks were my favorite thing in the world at the time, and I remember thinking that it would be cool to have a picture of my favorite thing that I took. Nobody else in the world would have that same picture of that same shark. I'd have my own version of the photos I saw in all the shark books that I read. I didn't even read the books; for the most part, I just looked at the photos!

What motivates you to continue taking photographs? As truly awesome as it is getting to be right up against the stage, or even on it, while my favorite bands are performing, a big motivating factor in doing what I do is documenting things that I think are rad or historically important. Contributing to the history of rock music in any sense is something that gives my soul a weird, obligatory-like feeling.

How would you describe your photography style?  I'm honestly not sure. I try and make my photos look like something I'd want to have a poster of or see on a tour flyer or something along those lines.

How do you connect with the subject of a photograph? Usually I just bounce between headbanging along with the song and firing away on the shutter. Just by bopping your head or moving your body, you're contributing to the energy of the show, which can often make your photos turn out ten times more lively. Nothing bums me out more than when a crowd is just standing like unimpressed statues when a band is pumping out enough energy to fuel a rocket. You're there to have a good time, so dance and have a good time; the band will appreciate it, the energy of the show will be positive and fun, and your photos will reflect that. Man, I went on a tangent there. Sorry about that.

What are some challenges faced with photography? What do you enjoy the most? Right now the biggest challenge I'm facing with photography is how freaking expensive of a passion it is! I can think of at least 3 different themes for photo books that I want to make and have printed up, but my finances currently tell me to wait on those for a little bit. The thing I enjoy the most about photographing concerts is the fact that I get to do it at all. 12 year old Brad would be AMAZED at the rad stuff he winds up getting to do down the line if he just keeps going.

What advice would you give a photographer that just started their career?

Find whatever it is that you like photographing, and really take pride in photographing it. Know when to put your camera down to keep yourself from burning out that passion. If you're like me and your passion winds up being concert photography, WEAR EARPLUGS; it gets loud and tinnitus is real.

To view more of Brad’s art, check out his website at planetbphotography.com, and his Instagram handles are @bradpricephotography and @planetbphotography