In twenty or so years as a part-time folk music journalist, I've asked dozens of performers for permission to photograph them on stage in conection with a concert review or artist profile. Some have been big names in the folk world and some relatively obscure, but I have very rarely been refused. Most artists are thrilled that the magazine I write for these days (Dirty Linen) is going to give them some free publicity and they're happy to cooperate. I've had much more of a problem with venues that prohibit photography, even for working journalists who are attending the show on the press list. (If one particular promoter here in Boston ever wonders why his shows never get reviewed in Linen, it's because I don't do concert reviews that I can't illustrate with a photo.)

I do ask first -- that's just common courtesy. I don't use flash because that's annoying to both the performer and the audience. And on the couple occasions where someone has asked me for a few shots of themselves, I'm happy to oblige.