Check Out Abby Meyer’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Abby Meyer.

Hi Abby, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, let’s briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I’ve been a huge live music fan for years, attending over 100 shows as a fan. I’ve also always had a passion for photography and visual content creation, working in sports production and social media throughout my professional career. I’ve traveled around the country to see my favorite band, The Killers, perform live ten times. The energy at a live show is unlike any other human experience. The connection between the musicians and the crowd is so pure and uninhibited. One of my favorite musicians, Jack Antonoff, put it best when he said “Nobody goes to a show cynically. The barrier of entry is too high. You won’t buy the ticket, make the plan, get your ass there, wait in line, fight the gloom in the first place to leave the house, and have no cynicism at shows. you’re there ’cause it’s deep for you, and I am the same.” I feel such a connection to many artists and their music; seeing them bring their art to life is often an out-of-body experience. I always imagined combining my two loves – music and photography – would be the perfect combination for me, which has proven true.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The concert photography industry takes a lot of work to break into. One can only photograph a show if you represent the musician/band or a credible publication with a solid circulation and following. Once you are connected to a publication to shoot on behalf of, it’s rarely for monetary compensation. You do it because you love it. These barriers to entry certainly pose challenges for amateurs to break into the industry. Another obstacle is acquiring gear. Quality photography gear is expensive, and considering concert photography gigs rarely pay, it can become a costly hobby. Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a significant obstacle for all involved in the live music industry. But with tours starting to pick back up again, I hope to see more photography opportunities in the future.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am grateful to be a photographer for Do816, a local website focused on events happening around KC. I shot many events for Do816 in 2019 and fell in love with it. I’m slowly getting back into it, with concerts returning following the pandemic shutdown. I love the challenge of capturing a band’s energy and passion while considering all the variables to create the best photos – the ever-changing lighting, the movement of the musicians, the distance between my camera and the stage, the crowd, etc. Quickly adjusting my Canon camera’s settings to fit my environment is an important skill I’ve acquired. Concert photographers are often only allowed to shoot the first three songs of a concert, meaning photographers have to quickly get their camera configured and capture all the photos they want for that show in about 10 minutes. I also love the photo editing process when what appears to be average photos become exceptional with the help of Adobe Lightroom by enhancing colors, brightening shadows, and setting the white balance. Aside from concerts, I’ve also shot other events, including the Harlem Globetrotters, Super Bowl Parade, and Kansas City Zoo’s Brew at the Zoo.

Pricing:

• $50/hour

Contact Info:

• Website: abbymeyerphoto.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/abbymeyerphoto
• Facebook: facebook.com/abbymeyerphoto
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/abbyelisabethmeyer/
• Twitter: Twitter.com/abbymeyerphoto

Image Credits
Personal Photo Credit: Wyn Wiley, all other photos are my own.