Attending a concert is an amazing opportunity to finally experience your favorite musical artists live. Capturing photos is a great way to remember the night, and now, thanks to the compact size and high-quality cameras of iPhones, it’s easier than ever. But shooting in a live music setting comes with its own set of challenges.

In this blog, we’ll cover how to elevate your concert photography, whether you're dealing with unique lighting or fast-moving musicians.

We get it, everyone always says the same thing: an iPhone can’t compete with a DSLR. But the truth is, they’re built for different purposes. And when your iPhone is the only camera you’ve got, it’s all about making the most of it.

Concerts, with their packed crowds and tight spaces, are ideal for iPhone photography. No bulky gear, no setup hassles, just point, shoot, and go. With features like Night Mode, pro-level settings, and instant sharing, the iPhone is more capable than ever. And when you pair it with attachable lenses, filters, and creative gear, it unlocks a whole new level of performance.

Using attachable lenses, filters and mounting gear can take your concert photography to the next level. We recommend the Star Filter, Wide Lens, Telephoto 2x Lens, and the Creator Grip.

The Star Filter creates multi-point flares from direct light sources, adding a dramatic, edgy touch to any concert photograph.

The Wide Lens is a great choice for capturing expansive scenes with a wide field of view. The SANDMARC Wide Lens performs well in low-light settings, making it ideal for concerts.

For close-up shots, the Telephoto 2x Lens is your best match. Its optical zoom and natural bokeh allow for sharp images and preserved image quality, unlike the iPhone’s native digital zoom, which can reduce clarity.

Since you'll be capturing images throughout the entire concert, which can last up to three hours, the Creator Grip is your go-to tool for preventing hand strain and avoiding shaky shots.

Concert venues are often dimly lit, with rapidly changing lights and intense color effects. Learning how to shoot in these conditions is key to capturing sharp, vibrant images. Here are 3 ways to successfully managing low-light at a concert.

1. Use Night Mode & Long Exposure: iPhone’s Night Mode is a game-changer in dark environments. It automatically adjusts exposure time to let in more light, resulting in brighter, clearer photos. For an even more dramatic effect, try using long exposure with a tripod or stable surface, it helps capture light trails and eliminates motion blur when your subject is still.

2. Reduce Grain and Noise: Low light usually means higher ISO, which can lead to grainy images. To minimize this, avoid digital zoom (which amplifies noise) and try to expose your shots properly using manual controls in the app ProCamera. Locking focus and exposure on a well-lit part of the stage can also help balance the overall look.

3. Handle Colored and Dynamic Lighting: Stage lighting is beautiful but tricky. Reds, blues, and purples can sometimes oversaturate or wash out your subject. Try shooting during moments when the lights are more neutral or evenly spread. If you’re using RAW capture, you’ll also have more control over color correction in post-processing.

Concerts are packed with energy as the guitarists, singers, drummers, and dancers all move in rhythm. As a photographer, your goal is to capture that energy in every frame.

The pace is fast, and moments come and go quickly, so staying ready is essential. Anticipating their movements is key, and using burst mode helps ensure you don’t miss a moment. Composition matters just as much as timing. Experimenting with different angles also adds impact: shooting from a low angle can make performers look larger than life, while a higher vantage point offers a wider perspective. And don’t overlook the lighting, ever-shifting lights, shadows, silhouettes, and even fog effects can add mood, depth, and emotion to your shots.

If it's your first time shooting a concert with your iPhone, having these four go-to shots can ease any anxiety. They’re essential for concert photography and help ensure you won’t miss anything important.

1. Silhouettes and Backlighting: Taking advantage of bright stage lights for dramatic effects.

2. Wide-angle Shots: Capturing the scale of the crowd and the grandeur of the performance.

3. Detail Shots: Close-ups of instruments, hands, or the emotion in the artist’s face.

4. Portrait Mode: Blurring the background to highlight the artist on stage.

Exploring concert photographers for inspiration is a great way to learn more about the craft and spark ideas for your own shoots. The video below highlights 10 standout concert photographers to follow on your creative journey.

We hope this guide provided you with enough tips on how to make the most of your iPhone for concert photography. With the right techniques, gear, and a bit of creativity, you can capture stunning live moments and turn them into lasting memories.