How to Sneak a Camera Into a Concert

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

With tabloids, gossip, and copyright infringement running rampant, a lock-down on what is allowed inside concert halls has been enforced. While it is perfectly legal to take pictures of a person sell them as tabloid trash or artwork, most bands would prefer to make you pay for those opportunities. Therefore many places have legally restricted your available photo-taking opportunities. Here's how to get around it.

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. Is it your average point-and-shoot pocket camera? If so, there's a chance it will be allowed inside. Check before taking measures to sneak it in.
  2. Most cameras now are going for a thin feel and look, and this works to your advantage. Fatter cameras are generally not as tall; use the dimensions to help you feel out places it can go.
    Advertisement
  3. It can be in a pocket, purse, concealed in clothing or strapped to your body. Here are a few methods. [1]
    • Wear a large, baggy sweatshirt with nothing underneath (this is particularly effective if you are female).Use your camera's strap or strap from somewhere else to sling it over your shoulder. Secure it so it hangs right in the pit of your back where it curves in before your buttocks. Put your sweatshirt on over it. If the guards ask you to remove your sweatshirt, lift the front up a bit to show them that you can't, as you have nothing on underneath.
    • Take your purse (or the purse of a female accompanying you, if you are male). Either cut out the lining on the bottom, or find material like it and cut a piece that fits. Lift it and place your camera in the bottom. Fill the remaining space with soft material, both to protect your camera and solidify the bottom again. Replace the lining. Throw some tampons on top. Most bouncers will not dig around very thoroughly. [2]
    • Wear a somewhat baggy long sleeve shirt. If your camera is small enough, strap it with some tape or a strap to your underarm. Be warned, if you are going to an establishment with a gun threat, you are likely to be frisked and this is easily found through touch. [3]
    • Crotch it. Similar to the underarm technique, wear baggy pants and strap it to your inner thigh, very close to your private area. There's a very good chance you won't be searched thoroughly here. If you are a female, wear a mid-length fluffy skirt. Not only will you not be touched there, a skirt looks open enough to allay suspicion, though it conceals very well. You can also unbutton your pants, hang your camera from your button, and then re-button your pants. Then simply slip the camera down into your pants and let it hang. It may be uncomfortable,but holds your camera securely and you don't have to worry about it being found, even if you're frisked. [4]
    • If you have a small and thin wallet, empty most of your wallet and tape it to the inside of the wallet. Keep your wallet in a large pocket and if frisked, when they ask what's in your pocket, immediately say its just your wallet. If you do this you should get in fine.
    • If you're using a professional grade camera with a lens, this may work for you. You'll need a friend. Take your camera, a separate body you won't be shooting with, and two lenses. Have your friend conceal one lens well and one lens very conspicuously, so that it will be found with a simple search. Do the same with your two camera bodies. Have your friend go first. When the lens is found, have them give it up obligingly and apologize to you, where you will step up, possibly curse or look abashed, and hand over your dummy camera body. These will be tagged for pickup after the show, and it is unlikely they will search you for a second camera. The same can be done with small pocket cameras. Conceal your real one well, and then use a disposable or cheap other camera as your dummy.
    • Ladies: Fluff and tease your hair up to a nice volume. Get a poofy sort of hat, like the ones Britney Spears is fond of. Pull some of your hair into a poof on top of your head, and conceal your camera inside. Top it off with your big hat and you're good to go. This is also easily reversed once inside, so you don't have to walk around with bad hair. Security may ask you to remove your hat though, counteracting this technique.
    • Use your gloves. Get one pair of gloves, and a third of the same or a similar type. Place your camera inside one glove, and wear the other two. When in line, place your camera glove someplace inconspicuous but where you might set your gloves normally. When in plain sight of a bouncer, or right before being searched, obviously take your gloves off and place them on top of the third, then pick them up in one hand or set them on the table with your jacket and umbrella, or something of the sort. Then when you have been searched, pick up your gloves, tip your hat, and enjoy the show.
  4. I doubt that the guard would ask you to take off your shoes. When in there, go into the bathroom and take the camera out of your shoe; put the camera in one of your pockets or any other easily-accessible area and enjoy the show.
  5. Wear an old jacket and carve a little seam in it(make sure it's on the inside of the coat so nobody sees it), the size of a camera will do it and tape it up or sew it up. Go through the whole process with the guard and get in. During the concert, play, show, etc. rip open the seam and take out the camera.
  6. Once inside, if you get caught, do not make a fuss or a scene, your camera, film, memory card, and tickets may all be subject to confiscation. Be apologetic and act ignorant.
  7. if the guard asks to see your bag give it to them most guards don't check in the hoodie. Put in some cash, a phone, etc. to make it look inconspicuous.
    9. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Do I get my camera returned to me if it is confiscated?
    Community Answer
    The rules on confiscation will depend on the country the concert is in but taking property permanently is usually a form of theft, so there would have to be some way of giving the camera and its contents back to you. You can be removed for trespass but your camera should be returned to you or you could sue the company and individuals involved.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 17
  • Question
    Does this apply for phones as well, since I'm planning to bring my phone to record?
    Community Answer
    Phones are usually allowed in concerts, but if the venue doesn't allow phones, then yes, this would apply to phones.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 13
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • If you're wearing long pants, wear long socks and stuff your camera in the sock. [5]
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • Ladies, put it in your bra! A good trick is to buy a bra that is a size bigger then usual, and simply use the extra space to hide your camera and other things that aren't allowed in.
        Thanks
        Helpful 50 Not Helpful 12
      • Remember to check the rules and allowances of the concert arena before trying this; you may be allowed to bring your camera in.
        Thanks
        Helpful 28 Not Helpful 7
      Show More Tips
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • At hard rock shows, the area closest to the stage is likely to be a volatile and pushy place. Unfortunately, this is the best place for taking photos. Be very careful here, as you are likely to be the only one standing still and may be very roughly pushed, kicked, or hit. Protect your camera; use wrist/neck straps so you don't drop it. Not to mention the area will have a good amount of security.
        Thanks
        Helpful 12 Not Helpful 4
      • Some places will not take and tag your camera for pickup. If this is the case, you may be refused entry, so have a place to store your camera and enjoy the show without it.
        Thanks
        Helpful 11 Not Helpful 5
      • They may take and destroy your film/photos, so be sure you don't have any other precious shots on your roll.
        Thanks
        Helpful 12 Not Helpful 6
      • If you are caught, you will very likely be thrown out of the concert.
        Thanks
        Helpful 10 Not Helpful 11
      • Some places may also confiscate your camera permanently! Not many will, but be warned that this occasionally happens, this is more likely with a professional grade camera.
        Thanks
        Helpful 9 Not Helpful 13
      • Be careful of security checkpoints as they check everything that you bring in so if you know an arena that do that it best not to it.
        Thanks
        Helpful 2 Not Helpful 4
      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      • A good imagination.
      • A friendly demeanor (they're only doing their jobs).
      • A good camera.
      • A lot of luck.


      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Mosh in a Pit at a Concert
      How to
      Survive a General Admission Floor
      How to
      Sneak Into a Concert
      How to
      Ask Your Parents to Let You Go to a Concert
      How to
      Get Front Row at a Concert
      How to
      Prepare for a Concert
      How to
      Attend a Concert
      How to
      Crowd Surf
      How to
      Get Backstage Passes to Any Concert
      Where to Find and Buy Cheap Concert Tickets Online
      How to
      Go to a Concert if You Are a Teenager
      How to
      Dress for a Rock Concert
      How to
      Dress for a Concert (Teenage)
      How to
      Go to a Concert By Yourself & Why You Should
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://petapixel.com/2018/09/21/this-photographer-made-a-career-of-sneaking-cameras-into-rock-concerts/
      2. ↑ https://www.flickr.com/groups/54089018@N00/discuss/72157600168145840/
      3. ↑ https://www.flickr.com/groups/54089018@N00/discuss/72157600168145840/
      4. ↑ https://www.reddit.com/r/arcadefire/comments/8ue3dy/has_anyone_brought_a_camera_to_a_concert/
      5. ↑ https://www.flickr.com/groups/54089018@N00/discuss/72157600168145840/

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 181,072 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement