Meet Music Photographer Peter Neill

Peter, when did you start taking photos and what inspired you to get started?

I started taking photos as a small child aged about 6. My father and brother are both keen amateur photographers and this lead to an interest early on that took many many years to come to fruition. It was not until I was about 21 that it became a serious hobby and then not until I was 28 before I started doing any paid work! The first few years were just weddings and then after that I started looking into areas of photography I felt I had more passion for. As regards my inspiration, I think that really started when I first started to think about Concert Photography - it was the first style that made me so so curious about the creative possibilities; I have always being fascinated with light from both a scientific and artistic point of view and a concert struck me as a virtual all you can eat that is married to the art form of music. I simply could not resist.

How did you get your first professional gig?

My big break came due to one very great man, Steve Averill. I had gone after an IT contract part time job in the office where he worked just so I could meet the man. For those who dont know him, he named U2, and has designed most of their album covers. shortly after meeting him, before I had ever shot a gig, I showed him a few pics I had taken by sneaking a camera into events and begged him to help me get a chance to shoot U2. It was 2009 and coming up to the end of the summer and he made a few calls to U2 and soon after that I had my first gig, shooting U2 in Sheffield in 2009. So, I owe my new career both to Steve and U2 and I’m so grateful to both. As soon as I stared working at this gig I knew I had found what I was supposed to do. I discovered that the medium of concert photography has only one thing as its brief : “Shoot your heart out”. This was made all the more real for me recently when talking to Justin Timberlake’s creative director. I asked him what he wanted from me and he said: “I just want you to go nuts, do what you love, have fun & do what you always do, thats what I want”.

Who has been the favorite artists to work with?

I would have to say The Script. I think its because they are very accessible and down to earth. On top of that they are all very creative and have a great appreciation for art forms other than music. It makes it very enjoyable when you can sit back with the lead singer Danny and geek out about camera gear lol! When you work a lot with an artist you do develop a trust, and that trust leads to better, more interesting pictures as you are let further behind the curtain. It gets to the stage that they never ask you to put the camera away as they know you are not going to abuse your privilege.

Do you have a "favorite shot" if so which one is it?

Thats a very hard question as the answer changes, though if I had to name one shot right now its this one: Its just as much about the story as it is the picture.  The concert was in Dublin this Summer and Justin came out on stage about to start singing.  The crowd went nuts and started singing "Ole Ole Ole".  Justin gave up trying to sing and instead decided to take it all in for a minute until the crowd decided they had better let him start lol.

How do you describe your photography style?

Thats a hard question, I don't know what to call it.  I'm obsessed with prime lenses and pretty much never take a zoom lens of any sort into the pit.  I love the restrictions of a prime lens, it forces me to be creative with the composition and work for the shot, there is no "zoom and click" which can become an automatic thing with zooms, at least I find that to be the case.  I find my self moving all the time as a result.  On top of that I love the extra light a prime gives you and the effects you ca get with a shallow DOF if you are close enough to the artist.  A lot of the time my compositions are at odd angles because I try to treat the light as one of the subjects of the composition. In turn that I find can add so much mood to a photo.

Can you share a tip with aspiring photographers?

I know this sounds too obvious, but honestly its all about attitude.  The most important skill in life is to play nicely with others - I take great care in going the extra mile for all whom I work with or alongside. Not only do I enjoy spending time with and meeting new people, but when people work this way its better for everyone I think.  Almost as important is perseverance, you have to be like a dog with a bone.  Getting your first concert photo gigs requires you to take chances, take rejection, look for opportunities and reach out to others so many times. My big gamble was applying for a job in IT just to meet Steve Averill and thanks to his kindness I am talking to you now!