First Concert Shoot of the Year: The Mocks at Nieuwe Anita, Amsterdam

On Saturday, January 18th, I kicked off the year with my first concert photography shoot: The Mocks at Nieuwe Anita in Amsterdam. While the venue might be small compared to others I’ve worked in, it made up for it with an amazing atmosphere. The room was packed, and the excitement was contagious.

The show started right on time at 10:00 PM, and the audience was immediately on fire. Shooting in a smaller venue comes with its challenges, especially when it comes to lighting. Unlike larger venues like AFAS Live, Nieuwe Anita has more intimate, less predictable lighting. To prepare, I brought my most light-sensitive lenses, a must-have for any concert photographer.

What made Nieuwe Anita unique was the variety of vantage points. You could watch The Mocks from the floor, the staircase, or even the upstairs balcony. Naturally, I made use of all of these perspectives! I climbed, crouched, and even lay down to get creative with my angles. That’s one of the joys of smaller venues—you can explore every corner to find the perfect shot.

For this shoot, I carried two camera bodies. My go-to was a full-frame camera paired with a 55-120mm lens, perfect for capturing those dynamic close-ups and mid-range shots. I also brought along a DSLR with a 50mm lens, which delivered beautiful, sharp images in the lower light. With The Mocks playing a full hour, I had plenty of time to experiment with composition, lighting, and angles.

The band’s performance was electric, and their energy made every shot an adventure. Whether you’re photographing large arenas or cozy venues like Nieuwe Anita, the essence of concert photography remains the same: capturing the raw emotion and connection between the band and their audience.

Check out the rest of the photos on my concert photography page and let me know what you think! The Mocks were incredible, and I’m already looking forward to my next shoot.