Expression of Interest for 2026 closes on December 28!
The Photo Crew has a meeting room in downtown Austin during SXSW that serves as a headquarters and home base. The Crew room location will be shared with you before the start of SXSW.
Hours: Every day, 9:00am - 1:00am
Crew Room hours are subject to change. During SXSW, crew members will be notified via email and Slack if hours are shortened or extended.
Check In is MANDATORY because it lets us know you will be showing up for the assignments you have been given for that day. It also lets us update you on changes and give you any special instructions you may need. Additionally you'll have the opportunity to ask questions before you head out.
Please note, just being in the room does not count as checking-in, you must actually speak to the Shift Leads. :)
At SXSW, even five minutes late can be a big deal. We take lateness very seriously.
The second you realize you are going to be late to check-in, Slack the Shift Lead On Duty immediately. They'll instruct you on what to do. Following this rule is incredibly important: depending on how late you are, we may have to find another photographer to cover your first assignment, which takes time, causes stress and risks an assignment not getting covered.
Parking and transportation issues are not an excuse for being late.
If you are late more than three times or do not show up for a shift you can have your credentials revoked and you will not be invited back next year.
You will be given specific assignments to photograph on each day of your schedule.
Assignments could include photographing panel sessions, a keynote presentation, film premiere photo ops and Q&As, Music or Comedy showcases and special events.
On average you will have three to four assignments during any given shift. If your assignment is a Music Showcase, that will be your only assignment of the day.
Assignments for all days of your schedule will be emailed to crew members on Sunday, March 8.
Everything is subject to change, so you will likely receive assignment updates via email at any time after March 8
It’s not uncommon for some assignments to be given to multiple photographers. You will see this most often happen during high visibility presentations or music showcases. It usually means SXSW has requested more variety of coverage for that particular event. Shooting with other SXSW photographers is a great way to expand your photography network. Our returning photographers say that getting to know other photographers is one of the best things about being on the crew.
When distributing assignments, we try very hard to reduce the amount of travel you may have from one venue to the next. If you are required to travel a significant distance, we try to schedule enough time for you to make the trip. The assignment schedule contains information on where you need to go and when you need be there.
In some cases, an assignment will include directions to photograph specific subjects or people. These shots are in addition to the standard shot list, which is covered on How to Photography SXSW. Always be sure to get the standard shots too.
Occasionally the times for an event will change unexpectedly. The best policy is to check the schedule online or the SXSW GO app every day so that you have the latest information and to speak with the Shift Leads about any changes when you check in.
Take a look at the locations for your assignments before you head downtown.
If your assignments aren't near the Photo Crew Room, it may affect where you park your car or get dropped off. In some cases, you may need to take a shuttle to your venue which will require extra time in your schedule.
The Crew Chiefs will take care to be sure you can make it to your assignments on time, assuming you're on time to check-in. Parking and transportation issues are not an excuse for being late.
Slack @Shiftlead On Duty
Number will be shared with Photo Crew during a pre-event meeting
Phone goes live on March 8, 2026
Whenever possible, call from a quiet place.
When leaving a voice mail:
Tell us your name!
Speak clearly and slowly - your message will be automatically transcribed and set to us via email.
Leave a callback number if possible
Contact us sooner rather than later. Nobody likes last-minute surprises.
Always sign your text messages with at least your first name and last initial.
Don't use email for urgent or time-sensitive messages. Slack or call/text.
Workshops for the Photo Crew are held almost every day during SXSW. Times and dates are flexible to allow for the most number of photographers to attend.
There are two workshops that are mandatory for first-time Photo Crew members:
Photographing the Conference and Photographing Live Music
Full schedule will be posted before SXSW starts.
Come early, be reliable, wear your t-shirt.
Watch Slack for the latest information and tips.
Check your email daily, and often. Assignments changes and updates will be distributed by email, so it’s essential to check this several times a day.
Set your alerts and notifications to vibrate. If there's been a last minute change to your assignment, a shift lead will Slack you and may also text you. You may be in a quiet panel room or at a loud music venue, so be sure your alert is something appropriate for both situations.
Pace yourself. Take a break and get off your feet when you can. SXSW is a marathon, not a sprint.
Stay hydrated. If shooting music you may be stuck in a crowd at the front of the stage so it may be good to have a water bottle and a snack with you.
Backup your images from your memory cards onto your computer and a cloud-based storage platform at the end of every shift. WE CANNOT STRESS HOW IMPORTANT THIS IS!
People have inadvertently lost cards, had their cards damaged or overwritten images, had their hard drives crash, and were unable to turn in any assignments. DON'T BE THAT PERSON.
Charge your camera batteries, your cell phone, and any external battery packs.
Check and clean your camera and lenses.
Set your alarm and get some sleep.
In order to help everyone have fun and be productive, we ask that all photography crew members follow a few rules. Please read this completely. These are vital to your success on the crew. If you have any questions, please ask one of the crew chiefs.