Elgin Fringe Photographers
​We need talented photographers to capture the offbeat, unforgettable moments that help Elgin Fringe live on beyond the festival. As a small, volunteer-run event, we ask our photography team to contribute their time for a modest stipend, and we are tremendously grateful.
Photographer applications are by invitation only.
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MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS CONTACT:
Michael Novelli (847) 971-4244 email
VENUE & PERFORMANCE ASSIGNMENTS
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Photographers are assigned one venue and are responsible for photographing every show performing there once. Each venue hosts four to six shows.
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Most shows perform two or three times during Performance Weekend. Choose one performance time to photograph each assigned show.
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Every assigned show must be covered. If you miss the time you planned to attend, you are responsible for covering another scheduled performance.
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Short Showcases include three short acts within one hour and are considered one show.​
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PERFORMANCE WEEKEND
Photographers must be generally available during Elgin Fringe Performance Weekend. You will photograph each of the shows at your venue once, so you'll have downtime throughout the weekend.
Performances take place:
Thursday, September 24: 6–10pm
Friday, September 25: 6–11:30pm
Saturday, September 26: 1:30–10pm
Sunday, September 27: 1–5pm
Review the digital festival schedule or the printed program available at Fringe Central.
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MATURE CONTENT
Fringe performances may include strong language, sexual themes, burlesque, nudity and intense subject matter. Your application will allow you to identify content you prefer not to photograph.
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
All photographers must provide their own professional camera suitable for photographing movement in low light without flash, along with lenses, batteries, memory cards and other necessary equipment.
Elgin Fringe Festival does not provide or insure photography equipment and is not responsible for equipment that is lost, stolen or damaged, or for repair or replacement costs.
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EXPERIENCE & PORTFOLIO
Photographers who have not previously worked with Elgin Fringe must submit a link to a portfolio or three to five examples of low-light performance or event photography. Examples should demonstrate the ability to capture clear, usable images of people and movement in limited lighting.
TIME & TIMELINESS
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Arrive at least 10 minutes before each show to identify the best shooting positions and check in with the venue manager.
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Stay for the full performance to capture its range and key moments. All shows run one hour or less.
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REQUIRED CHECK-IN
All photographers must check in with Michael Novelli before their first assignment to receive a Media Pass and sign the Elgin Fringe Code of Conduct. Choose one of these check-in times:
Monday, September 21, 3–pm
Fringe Central at the SSSA Gallery, 15 Ziegler Court, Elgin
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Wednesday, September 23, 5–9pm
Preview Party at Martini Room, 161 E. Chicago Street, Elgin
Thursday, September 24, 5–5:45pm
Fringe Central at the SSSA Gallery, 15 Ziegler Court, Elgin
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WORKING IN THE VENUES
Fringe performances take place in small pubs, galleries and performance spaces, often with tight angles, packed seating and limited lighting.
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Be prepared to adjust your camera settings for each room’s low-light conditions.
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Photograph performances without flash. No flash photography is permitted.
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Do not block audience sightlines, performers, aisles or exits, except briefly when taking a shot.
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Keep your movements quiet and inconspicuous.
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Turn off camera sounds and use a quiet or silent shutter when possible.
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A Fringe Media Pass must be worn while photographing performances.
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Do not enter or photograph backstage or in private areas without permission.
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Follow all instructions from the venue manager.
PHOTOS WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Images should include:​
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Close-ups with strong facial expressions.
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Full-length and action shots.
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Key moments and interactions within the performance.
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Full ensemble images and balanced coverage of the full cast.
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Photographs that capture the personality of the artist and show.
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For Short Showcases, usable images of all three acts.
Please also include:
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A few audience reactions, especially laughter or intense engagement.
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A few wider images showing the performance space and audience.
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A useful mix of horizontal and vertical compositions.
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PHOTO QUALITY & DELIVERY
Provide 20 to 30 of your best photographs from each assigned show.
All delivered photos must be:
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Clear, sharp and ready to use. Motion blur is acceptable when it is clearly intentional.
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Properly exposed and usable despite the venue’s low lighting.
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Edited with basic exposure, white balance, color, contrast and noise correction.
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High-resolution JPEG files in the sRGB color space, no larger than 15 MB each.
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At least 3,000 pixels on the longest edge.
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Free of watermarks, borders and logos.
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Cropping is not required.
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ALL PHOTOS MUST BE UPLOADED BY THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2026.​
The upload photos, tap the button below and select your name and the show.
COMPLETING YOUR ASSIGNMENT
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The festival and participating artists are counting on you. If an assigned show is missed, we may not have another photographer available to cover it.
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If you miss your selected performance, attend another scheduled performance of that show.
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If you cannot complete an assignment, text Michael as soon as possible.
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$40 will be deducted from your stipend for each show that you do not photograph.Photographers who do not complete their assignments may not be invited to participate in future festivals.
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Each show submission must include at least 15 usable images meeting the stated quality standards. If fewer than 15 images meet the requirements, the assignment may be considered incomplete and payment for that show may be withheld.
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PAYMENT
We understand that professional photography rates vary widely. We wish we could offer more competitive rates and are working to increase what we can provide. Elgin Fringe is a small, volunteer-run festival, and we appreciate the time and skill our photographers contribute.
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Each photographer will cover four to six shows and receive $40 per completed show, for a total stipend of $160 to $240.
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Payment will be issued by check or Zelle within 30 days following the festival.
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Photographers may choose to donate their earned stipend back to Elgin Fringe Festival.
PHOTO USE & RIGHTS
Elgin Fringe Festival and the photographer will both have ongoing rights to use the submitted photographs.
Elgin Fringe Festival and Side Street Studio Arts may use, edit, crop, resize, reproduce, print, publish, share, distribute and archive the photographs without limitation or additional payment. Photos may be shared with participating artists, media outlets, sponsors and community partners.
The photography team will be recognized on the festival website and social media following the festival. Individual photo credit will not be provided.
Photographers may use the images in portfolios, on websites and for personal or professional promotion. Please identify Elgin Fringe Festival and the featured artist or show when known.
Photographers may not sell, license or otherwise provide festival photographs for profit without written permission from Elgin Fringe Festival.
