The Art of Music Photography

I am always encouraging artists to really pay attention to the photos they're using and most of the time I ask them to "get new photos." It's not a dig or meant to hurt anyone's feelings, it's just that I understand that there is an ART to music photography and that a single image should not only communicate your brand, it should compliment your artistry.

While it starts with conceptualizing and setting up a photo shoot, then relaxing enough to help the photographer capture the image, it ends with that photographer cropping, cleaning and color correcting the final photos BEFORE they go public.

I've had the pleasure of meeting some incredible music (and other) photographers and am pleased to recommend the following:

Diana Levine (New York City)

Rayon Richards (New York City)

Jim Bennett (Seattle)

Terry Creighton (Seattle)

The Fabb Group (Los Angeles)

Spencer Leamer (Seattle)


Check out this great article The Art of Music Photography from MusicianCoaching.com

Jason Gardner is a professional photographer who primarily shoots musicians. He has photographed artists like Manu Chao, Gogol Bordello and Antibalas and captured live performances by Bob Dylan, Dave Matthews, Willie Nelson and Neil Young. His photos have appeared in periodicals like Rolling Stone, Spin, New York Magazine and Time Out among many others.

Ever since someone forwarded me a link from Rock and Roll Confidential’s Hall of Douchebags that features some of the most uninspired band photos ever I knew I had to locate a music photographer to discuss how the pros do it. Please note that no band or photographer mentioned or with a photo credit here has anything to do with such Douchebaggery…

http://musiciancoaching.com/music-career/music-photography/

Make Sure You Have a Great Photo

You've heard the expression before "a picture is worth a thousand words." True. So I ask, what does your picture say about you? Whether this is an album cover, a publicity photo or just an image you've posted on MySpace, each visual says something about you and your work. I urge all my clients to ask themselves "what does this photo say about me/us/it?" and sometimes more importantly "what doesn't it say?"

These should be an intention in EVERYTHING public about you as an artist, if there isn't start now, control your brand and start with your photos.

Here are suggestions I give to my clients:

1. All of your photos that are in the public domain should be of good quality.

2. Photos should have an intention behind them. An attitude. They should tell a story or promote an image in order to sell your music to your fanbase (if you haven't identified your fanbase yet, we'll cover that next week).

3. In other words, anyone can stand in front of a camera, get dolled up and look ok, but as an artist there better be something behind your eyes or you're dead in the water.

4. MySpace Images: When you are a professional MySpace (or any social networking profile) is not a place to upload numerous, random photos of yourself. Be sure that any and everything you post is selling something about yourself.

5. Most of the time great photos cost a little bit more BUT they are worth every penny so find a photographer you vibe with, who understands lighting and can pull a great shot out of you. If you do not start with a great, high resolution photo, none of your artwork will look good.

6. So now you've found the right photographer, now it's time to do your part. Arrive at your shoot prepared to give it 100%, you need to get to work and give it everything you've got. I often have my clients look through magazines before a shoot so they can start to identify a "good" photo from a "not so good" photo. Then I suggest they get to know their angles by practicing in the mirror. Most of them hate this, but I have to say...it works.

7. Try something new. This is a personal gripe of mine...do most "hip hop look the same or is it me? I urge everyone to try something new (please).

If you are searching for a good photographer, I work with some of the best and am happy to make a recommendation.

I welcome your comments.

-BSM