Cheap and easy band photo shoots that look great

image by Mike Bairds

A great photo will define a band’s presence decades after it was taken. A bad photo will turn a band into a bad punchline overnight.

So, what makes a great band photo? Authenticity.

A great photo should not cost more money than a terrible photo, but it will cost your time and commitment.

The big don’t- Above all else, avoid the staged photo.

A photo shoot of the band pretending to play their instruments will look like a band pretending to play their instruments. Guess What? Most musicians are not trained models, and they are not working with high-end fashion photographers. If Playboy asks your band to fake play your guitar, do it. If your aunt asks you to do this, politely decline.

If your band is not full of models, the best solution is to take candid photos. Have someone take pictures of your band doing real things, with real emotions. To create candid photos with real emotions, your band and the photographer need to get out of the lets take some pictures mode to lets show our fans who we are as people. Take focus away from the act of being photographed, and turn it into a way to connect with fans.

Let’s go bowling- If a band wants to show a fun side or competitive side, mini golf, bowling and the basketball court can cover both motivations. These are also cheep locations that generally don’t mind if people are taking photos. If the band wants to mess around or play for the win it all works, as long as nothing is forced. If it does not feel right, don’t do it.

Let’s get serious- For some bands rounds of mini golf and bowling are not going to cut it. It’s time to get serious. Take the band to a sculpture park or a universities art department. It will not only be a good way to see the band’s reactions to pieces they love or hate, but the art will make for a strong background.
It’s also more than likely that some members of the band are creative in other ways. Take your photographer to watch members paint, sculpt, draw or do whatever they love outside of music.

Let’s go- If all else fails, take your photographer on the road. The most candid shots, and often the best, occur when a band and a photographer have spent too much time together, and no one really cares what they look like or what they are doing.

DIY Tip – You’re poor. We Know. It’s highly recommended to get a trained photographer, but if all else fails you can take your own photos. The big secret to great photography is to take lots and lots and lots of photos. Then take some more. Remember, a band can take a long time getting the right photo. In the long run it is easier to work hard to get the perfect photo, than to be consistently reminded of those terrible photos on your CD covers.

Once you have some photos the band really likes it is time to test the images. Don’t trust your own judgment, and don’t ask your mom’s opinion. Put the images on photo critique sites like flickr or professional music photographers like Zack Arias. It’s better to have someone pick your photos apart now, then after you put them on 10,000 fliers.

For more tips on taking band photos, and other rookie band tips read these articles to help your band.