Everyone knows the iconic image that Jim Marshall created of Johnny Cash giving the camera a middle finger. Or that one image of Amy Winehouse, with her characteristic look captured in a fraction of a second.
These images help form music history and are anchored in our collective memory, but there is a profession behind them that is increasingly under pressure. Concert photography is both an artistic and journalistic discipline and a job full of challenges.
During this talk, we bring together different types of professionals – photographers, lawyers, programmers and press people – to talk about the future of concert photography. We’ll be talking about things like:
• Rights and obligations: What is allowed and what is not? How do we protect both the photographer and the artist?
• Digitization and speed: How does the 24/7 news flow affect the quality and the remuneration of photos?
• Collaboration: How can venues, media and photographers better find common ground? What is fair compensation?
• Appreciation for the profession: How do we ensure that concert photography continues to be recognized as professional and valuable?
About the panel:
Margot Otten (moderator) is a radio journalist from Brussels. In addition to hosting the “in Brussel” podcast (BRUZZ), where she shares two current stories each week, and working as an editor for “Het kwartier” (VRT NWS), she also enjoys exploring other kinds of stories. In Anderlecht and the city centre of Brussels, local residents share their personal histories in the “stadsoren” audio walks created by Margot. Beyond recording, storytelling, and editing, Margot is also regularly invited to take the stage as a moderator or presenter, for events and organizations such as AB, Brosella, VUB, and RABKO, among others.
Ramy Moharam Fouad is a Belgian/Egyptian director, photographer, and actor. His many successful collaborations in the music, film and fashion scenes have put Ramy on the map at a young age through various creative disciplines. With his authentic voice, telling the stories he feels need to be told, Ramy has managed to create a striking visual world of his own. His images beautifully capture the details that are easily missed in our daily lives. Moharam Fouad points out that it’s these small, wondrous details that are the vital elements of life, fragments that have the power to lighten up one’s day completely, moments we should all dwell on.
Hendrik Wittock is a creative all-rounder with 10 years of experience in content creation and branding, currently working as Music Communication expert at Ghent (BE) Arts Centre VIERNULVIER. Previously he has worked in the (content) marketing teams of VICE Media in Amsterdam and Brussels, and as the Festival Coordinator for the Brussels based Fifty Lab Music Festival for emerging talent. He’s an active member of the Antwerp drag and party collective Send in the Clowns, and DJs as rostgoed. As a DJ he’s known for his energetic and predominantly queer selection, which landed him gigs alongside artists like Romy, I.Jordan, Trixie Mattel, Coucou Chloe, Chippy Nonstop and many more.
Lucinde Wahlen is a Belgian music photographer blending live performance and portrait / press work. Working on both a national and international level, she collaborates with artists and organizations across the music world, including Xavier Rudd, VRT, Ancienne Belgique, Communion Group UK, dEUS, Whispering Sons (for whom she is the regular tour photographer), and many more. Her photography distills sound into image, revealing both the raw energy of the stage and the quiet presence of the artist.
At VI.BE, Lucas Declercq is responsible for everything related to knowledge and information. Whether it’s about releasing and promoting your first single or more business-oriented topics such as copyrights, contracts, or payments, you can always turn to VI.BE with all your music-related questions!
