Music & Tour Photography

Music & Tour Photography

Author: Steve Brazill April 17, 2025 Duration: 0:00

To say I’m excited for today’s show is a huge understatement.

I first met today’s guest 6 years ago, when our mutual friend Adam Elmakias asked us both to help him with his Live Music Photography Workshop. I’m sure you know that feeling of “if this is their friend, then they must be a good human” – that’s what I felt that whole day in San Diego. Looking back, I don’t think I knew at that first meeting just how good this person is at what she does. I’d suggest that she is one of the absolute best photographers working today, both in the live music & touring world, and in the commercial & editorial world.

Anna Lee is someone I have wanted to get on the show for a long time. Anna is a Los Angeles-based music and portrait photographer, with a specialty in touring, and she has done a lot of touring! She has been touring since 2013 with artists in the alt, rock, and pop categories – from small clubs to stadiums. As the current tour photographer for Coldplay, I think she has been creating some of the best work out there, and in both her live music and commercial work, like the campaigns she’s shot for Tom Delonge’s To The Stars, I think her eye for composition and angle is second to none.

Anna did mention to me a project she is working on for a possible fall date in LA, and while I can’t get into it here yet, trust me, you’ll want to follow her so you’ll hear about it as soon as the details are locked in.

Please join me in welcoming tour photographer Anna Lee to the show to break down what she told me is her personal favorite Coldplay image from tour, and as we dive into her style of shooting both live music and commercial images, on this Behind the Shot.

Connect with Anna Lee

Portfolio: annaleemedia.com
Instagram: @annaleemedia

Anna’s Best of Series

Best of 37: annaleemedia.com

Anna’s Photographer Pick

Skyler Barberio: skylerbarberio.com | @skylerbarberio

Anna’s Other Work


Steve Brazill hosts Behind the Shot-Video, a series that goes far beyond gear lists and camera settings. Each conversation is a deep exploration of the creative and technical journey behind compelling images. You’ll hear working photographers unpack the entire process-from the initial spark of an idea and the challenges of the location to the critical decisions made in post-production. This podcast sits at the unique intersection of art and practical technology, offering tangible lessons for anyone looking to improve their visual storytelling. Rather than abstract theory, these discussions provide a real-world look at problem-solving under pressure and the artistic choices that define a signature style. Tune in for honest, detailed breakdowns that reveal how memorable shots are truly built, layer by layer. It’s an essential resource for visual artists seeking both inspiration and actionable knowledge, all grounded in the lived experience of accomplished creators.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Behind the Shot - Video
Podcast Episodes
Canon EOS R5 Silent Shutter [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:33
The odds are that you’ve seen Simon Bruty’s work before, but on the odd chance you haven’t let me help you understand what you’ve missed. When discussing the best sports photography today, Simon is one of those photograp…
Nautical Photography [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:54
I grew up spending a lot of time in Newport, Rhode Island, home of the America’s Cup on twelve occasions between 1930 and 1983. I have great memories of visiting there, and seeing first hand the pride they had on having…
Elevate Your Wedding Photography [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:09
I normally start these posts with some lofty statement about my guest’s accomplishments, or some other overly deep setup. Not today. Today may be the easiest opening I have ever written… Vanessa Joy is a joy to work with…
All Things Gear Rental [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:40
Editors Note: This show is not a paid advertisement. I have received no compensation from any third party company involved, and everything I say in the show is my own opinion. I am so excited to welcome the founder of Le…
Talking Headshots [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:08
It’s rare that I have a guest on Behind the Shot that has redefined their genre of photography, but Peter Hurley is one of those guests. Headshot photography has existed for a long time. I remember driving around L.A. ye…
The Big Cat People [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:58
On occasion I have a guest on Behind the Shot I find hard to describe. With SanDisk Extreme Team members Jonathan and Angela Scott that is not the case. In fact I have so much I want to say that I’m worried I will end up…
Sammonisms – Speed-Learning Advice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:01
I find myself quoting Rick Sammon often, very often. Rick has these little sayings he uses, and he even has a name for them… Sammonisims. When I found out that he had a new class about these sayings over at KelbyOne I kn…
Better Wildlife Photos [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:03
Charles Glatzer is one of the top wildlife photographers working today, and that says a lot. There are so many great wildlife photographers out there, but on a rare occasion you meet someone that rises above the rest, so…
Photography Reflections [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:39
A photographer whose publication credits include National Geographic Books, Time, Life Magazine, National Wildlife Federation, Audubon, Sierra Club, and Disney is someone I want to learn from, and in this case, that’s Ad…
Photography: Artified [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:52
Karen Hutton is a photographer that is in demand, but on the chance you are not already familiar with her, let me introduce you… Karen is a Fine Art photographer that specializes in landscape, nature, and travel photogra…