What To Expect at a Band Photoshoot.

If you happen to be one of the select few bands that I let grace the front of my camera, here are some of the things you should expect/should bring/should think about.

// Great locations.

When consulting with a photographer I would be very keen on making sure he at least has a few locations scouted out and isn’t just going to bring you into the studio with a cheesy backdrop or take you out to the alley to shoot you against the cliché red brink wall. I like to get my clients out into some pre-scouted locations that are as unique as possible. Input on the part of the band is especially helpful – since I don’t want to scout a bunch of urban locations if they want their photos in front of a barn. Scouting takes a great deal of time, but the end product is worth the extra effort. If you are hiring a good photographer, expect to go to some pre-scouted, pre-visualized places.

// Passion.

I know ‘passion’ can be a very pretentious buzzword, but honesty, if your photog is not passionate about your band and about his ideas then the photos will show it. Find someone who loves and specializes in band photography. This will translate into the energy and creativity that you need.

// Coordination.

Make sure Tom the bass-player doesn’t come dressed in jnco’s and a fuzzy top hat if the rest of you are going to are going to be wearing girl jeans and combat caps. I’ve seen way too many band photos that miss the mark simply because their was no consideration to the fact that these aren’t just snapshots – this is your brand. This is what you are going to be selling yourself as. Also, make sure and sit down AS A BAND with the photographer and coordinate expectations. You don’t want certain members of the group to have doubts or different expectations of the photoshoot while it’s going on.

// Quality.

I would go farther than just ‘expect’ – I would say that you need to demand quality from your photog. You are paying him a good chunk of money to get images that you’re going to be putting out there as a representation of your brand. Make sure and know the photographers work beforehand, have consultations with him/her and dialogue until you feel comfortable that they are not going to under-deliver for you. For my clients this means I’m taking my studio lights on location with an assistant, I’m pre-visualizing my shots, I’m making sure the shoot is going to be fun and not overly formal, and I have locations in the queue so that they can see that I really do know what I’m doing.

Next post: Step by step through a shoot.

Graeme is the owner of Pitman Photography. You can contact him @graemepitman.

What To Expect at a Band Photo Shoot.