In order to help everyone have fun and be productive, we ask that all photography crew members follow a few rules. These are vital to your success on the crew. Being in violation of the rules could result in being removed from the crew.
As a SXSW photographer, you'll be expected to attend pre-festival meetings. Attendance at these meetings is mandatory. Times and dates can be found on this site, but exact locations and other information will be conveyed to you via EMAIL.
With 50 photographers and ±800 events to cover, the Photo Crew is no small undertaking. We want to help you have a great time and get great shots, and during the festival we'll communicate by Slack, email, and sometimes a text message. It’s important you check Slack and your email multiple times a day and be on the lookout for a text.
During the festival, you'll want to be sure you have:
Your daily assignment list
Empty memory cards
Extra camera batteries (fully charged)
Extra batteries for your flash (fully charged)
Cell phone wall charger and/or external battery pack (fully charged)
Transportation figured out to and from your assignments
During the festival, you're expected to check in at the Photography Crew Room no less than one hour before your first assignment of the day. Feel free to arrive earlier for an opportunity to meet with your fellow crew members and crew managers and get questions asked and answered.
We expect you to be on time for the assignments you receive. For very popular events, you will need to arrive early enough to ensure your entry. Photographers do NOT receive special entry consideration if a room is at capacity. Plan ahead - we rely on you to be on time to capture the images from your assignments.
Having problems at an assignment? Running late? Don't know where to be? Need photography tips? Talk to your shift leads or crew chiefs right away! The sooner you talk to us, the better prepared we'll all be. There are no stupid questions. If there’s anything you don’t understand or are having a problem with, let us know right away so we can help you. Our goal is to ensure you have a successful assignment.
This is very important. At times throughout the festival, you'll probably have to make a change based upon a request. Whether it's a SXSW staff member or a venue's staff member, please try your best to accommodate their needs.
If someone asks you to do something you think is unfair, or that will keep you from completing your assignment, please don't be forceful with them. Slack the Shift Lead On Duty right away and notify them of the situation. They will do what they can to help you. And if necessary, they will notify a crew manager to come help you.
We all want to get great photos, but remember that there are other artists, presenters, attendees, and photographers at SXSW who are trying to present material, listen to the speakers, and work for other media outlets. This is why we ask that you do what you need to do to get your shot without being too distracting to the presenters and audience. Here’s some tips for the best approach to keep a low profile.
Try to get your shots early and quickly. Pay particular attention to excessive use of flash and whose view you may be obstructing.
Panels/Speakers/Presenters: The general rule in panels is you can shoot in the front row with flash for the first 5 minutes, then you must take a seat or go stand somewhere that is not obstructing the audience view. In the really large rooms, you can sometimes get away with continuing to shoot throughout the session (without flash), but in general, you should try to limit the frequency of your shots. Again, don't be annoying.
Music showcase with photo pit: Venues with a dedicated photo pit are exceedingly rare, but if there’s a designated photo pit area in front of the stage, you are typically only given access to shoot from there for the first (3) songs of each band. After that, you must leave the pit and rejoin the general audience. Sometimes venues will allow you to continue photographing in the pit after the first (3) songs, but if asked by the venue staff to leave or to not continue photographing, please do so. They are usually acting in accordance with the wishes of the band or their manager.
Music showcase without photo pit: As a photographer, you do not have any special privilege to wait until the band starts and then squeeze up front to take your photos. In these venues, you should treat the assignment as if you’re like all the other badge holders who are there to watch the show and arrive early to “stake out” a good spot at the front of the stage. Also, remember to be careful not to disturb the artists or audience if you feel the need to use flash.
We want your best work. Alcohol, drugs and lack of sleep will affect the quality of your shots. If you must indulge, do so once your assignments are done, and then get the rest you need. Keep in mind that SXSW is a marathon, not a sprint, and you need to pace yourself.
There are a few rules that we hold dear. Breaking these can result result in badge de-activation and removal from the Photo Crew.
Do not go into the photo pit at a music showcase when NOT on assignment.
The photo pits at music showcases are for assigned photographers only. However, if you want to photograph the band, you are welcome to do so from outside the photo pit, for those shows where it is permissible.
Photographing from or near the media lines at red carpet events, unless assigned.
These are for assigned photographers only. If you're not assigned to the red carpet, stay off the media line.
Multiple late check ins and/or absence without notification and valid excuse.
We generally hold to a 'three strikes' policy on late check ins. People who 'disappear' and do not get in touch with us will have their badge deactivated which will prohibit entry to any SXSW event.
Not turning in your photos after the festival.
We shouldn't have to mention it, but this offense will get you blocked from SXSW participation, permanently.
While on assignment, your responsibility is to capture still photographs. Your agreement with SXSW clears you to take only still images, and you are not authorized to capture video recordings. Many speakers/performers prohibit video recording.
If you wish to use devices to capture video while not on assignment - such as a GoPro camera - please stow these while you are on assignment. Keep in mind that every event, official or not, will have a video policy. It is your responsibility to determine whether or not you are allowed to shoot video.
When you are not on assignment, you are expected to act as a member of the regular audience, and to abide by the rules applied to all audience members. As a SXSW photographer, you have no special privileges when not on assignment. You must comply with the rules set forth by the SXSW event personnel.