Things You'll Need:
- Digital Camera / SLR Camera with 400 or higher ISO film
- You, your band mates & photographer
- Location, props, accessories, etc.
- Computer, Scanner & Printer
- High quality photo glossy paper 8.5” x 11” size
- Photoshop or a Photo editing program
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Step 1
CalendarStep 1: Planning
Before getting together with your band mates or photographer for your photo shoot, you should have an idea already in your head about how you want the shoot to go.
Keep in mind the following tips when planning your press photo shoot:
#1 - Your image (how you look) should reflect your music!
This includes: choice in clothing, makeup, props, accessories, shoot location and other.
For example: A hip-hop artist may wear baggy pants, the latest street footwear, a t-shirt sporting his own graffiti artwork/logo, flashy jewelry and be standing in front of a hot new sports car and be armed with guns. A metal band maybe clad in leather and spikes, dripping fake blood and wearing face paint, standing near a grave yard on a dark and dreary day holding axes or chainsaws. Though it may seem the most stereotypical thing you can do, it does give the right first impression and not a misleading one.
#2 – Budgeting
This includes: location set-up or reservation/rental, photographer expenses, photography equipment rental/expenses, travel expenses, food/drink expenses, costumes/props/accessories and other expenses that pertain to your shoot
There are a lot of expenses to consider for just one photo, and not all of the above will pertain to your exact situation. To save money, you could find a cheap professional photographer or get a friend that knows what they’re doing to take the photos for you – if you’re really good you could even take the photos yourself! If you are doing it yourself or with an amateur your best bet would be to take LOTS of photos – no less than 100 to start. You may find 5 out of the 100 that are worthy enough to be considered for your final press photo.
#3 – Time Management
This includes: Getting everyone including the photographer together on the same day at the same time in the right place! If you’re renting a facility, equipment, costumes, props, etc. you will also have to make sure that you have all of those available on the day/time of your shoot.
Time management is possibly the most stressful aspect of putting together a shoot, make sure to compensate and leave lots of extra time in case something unexpected happens! Don’t expect your shoot to go smoothly without a hitch, there’s bound to be some glitches along the way, but if you’re prepared and leave lots of time for yourself and others to get organized, it will make it all that much better! -
Step 2
Step #2: The Shoot
After you’ve finished planning out your photo shoot and making all the necessary arrangements that need to be made you’ll be ready for your shoot.
Some things to keep in mind for do-it-yourselfers (professional photographers should already be aware of the following, if not, then I suggest you find a new photographer!):
1) Lighting - Outdoor lighting for an amateur is possibly the hardest thing to control without proper equipment (I’m sure pro photographers struggle with this aspect as well). Be sure to properly set your camera exposure settings (daylight, night shots, action shots, film speed, etc.) to help compensate for over exposure/under exposure. Try taking photos in the shade, in full sun / out in the open, partial shade and so on until you find that perfect spot. Don’t be afraid to move around!
2) Arrangement – Includes where people stand/sit/kneel, where props/accessories are placed, etc. For more interesting photos change facial expressions, body language, and prop/accessory placements often. Your photos will turn out “boring” if you stand or stay in one spot for the whole shoot!
3) Filters & Effects – Most press photos don’t generally use a lot of photo filters and effects (blurring, framing, etc.), so I’d leave this as an optional feature to be discussed with your photographer
4) Take LOTS of photos!! This point can’t be stressed enough! Don’t think that snapping off 5 photos will garnish that one photo worthy to hold the coveted spot of being the key photo to your press kit. Take lots and lots and lots of photos – the less you take the more you’ll regret it! -
Step 3
Step #3: The Final Photo
When you get your shots back from the photographer, it’ll be time to sit down and sift through the hundreds of photos and narrowing it down to just a handful – and ultimately that one photo you’ll use for your press kit.
Some things to keep in mind when choosing your final photo:
1) Representation – Does the photo represent how you want you and your music to come across?
2) Professionalism – Does the photo look professional? Are the faces crisp and clear, is the background perfect, does the light reflect in all the right places, is everyone placed in the right spots and looking the right way, etc.?
3) Black & White – Most press photos are 8x10 and black and white; if you’ve chosen a handful of colored photos do they degrade well into black and white? -
Step 4
Step #4: Presentation Time!
Once you have a handful of photos selected you can opt to have them professionally corrected (or do it yourself!) – that is if they’re colored photos have them changed to black and white, have them sharpened or blurred, have red eyes removed, make-up added, additional backgrounds added, objects removed and so on.
This is also the time when you’ll have to size your photos to 8”x10” and additionally add in your band’s name, contact information, label logo (if you have one), etc. underneath your photo, so they can be printed out and included in your kit.
If you’re doing this part yourself, make sure to print off test pages to make sure your images and text are printing off crisp and clean. There’s really no point in hiring a professional photographer or taking great photos if the end product looks like a two year old did it!
There are lots of programs you can use that are very user friendly, most generic printers now come with built-in photo editing software. If in doubt you can always look up a professional graphic designer/photo editor or talk to your nearest print shop for advice!
Comments
TheraisaK said
on 9/7/2009 Please don't spam my articles