MUSIC
CONCERT
PROMO PHOTOGRAPHY

Zoe Cummins photographing Derailed

Music and photography have always been a huge part of who I am

My dad, a former professional photographer and now a lecturer in music production at Futureworks in Manchester,  shaped my love for photography, and even my grandparents were keen amateur photographers. My uncle, Kevin Cummins, is one of the industry’s most respected music photographers, so you could say it’s in my blood.

"I love capturing the moments that feel like they only existed for a second"

I went to my first live gig in 2011 at the age of six — wide-eyed and totally captivated by the energy. From then on, I was the person always taking photos at shows, not professionally, just because I needed to capture what I was feeling. At 20, I shot my first gig as an official photographer, and it all fell into place.

I’m currently studying for a degree in Politics, and while it might seem unrelated, it’s taught me a lot about people, power, and culture: all things I try to reflect in my work. Whether I’m in a packed venue in Manchester or a backstreet gig in London, I’m drawn to the raw, emotional, and atmospheric edges of live music. I love capturing the moments that feel like they only existed for a second  but somehow say everything about the music.

I mainly shoot smaller, emerging bands because I know what it’s like to be starting out. I believe those early moments are worth documenting with the same attention and intensity as arena shows. I’ve worked with artists like Madame Claude and 25th Hour, and I’m always looking to collaborate with new talent who care deeply about their sound and scene.

I’m based in both London and Manchester but happy to travel wherever the music takes me. I want people to see my photos not just as documentation, but as something that holds the atmosphere, sound, and story of that night.

Let’s make something that lasts longer than the moment.

Derailed promo