Praise GOD
As I’m sure you’ve heard a hundred times before, first impressions are everything. When promoters, booking agents, managers, etc. see a picture of you online before meeting you in person, you want that photo to accurately represent your identity as an artist. A lot of pressure, I know… But having quality photos of you or your band could be what makes or breaks your chance of being booked at that amazing venue or signing a deal with that perfect indie label. Don’t limit your chances of getting that next amazing opportunity by having a shitty online presence. Here’s how to make sure your press photos ensure your first impression is a good one
Let’s dive in…
When being considered for features, bookings and more, your press photos are very likely one of the first things looked at right after your music (if not at the same time). At the very minimum, those photos need to be professionally done. If you want to stand out among a sea of other artists, you’ll need even more than that. If you’re lacking inspiration, check out other musicians’ press photos to get the creative juices flowing. Hiring a professional photographer is a great start, but you need to make sure their vision aligns with yours. When the time comes, you want to be prepared with ideas beforehand and ready to collaborate to create something uniquely yours.
Building Your Team
Hiring a photographer is the first step. If you’ve got the budget for it, you should also consider hiring a great stylist and/or a creative director to help guide your vision into reality. It’s easy to just ask a friend of yours to snap some shots of you at your show on their phone or try to style all of your bandmates yourself and call it a day. However, we highly recommend you do some research and find some serious professionals in your area who really know what they’re doing.
Stylists/Creative Directors
You may have an idea in mind, but maybe you aren’t sure how to pull it all together in the way you imagined. That’s where great stylists and creative directors come in to help guide the way. These people specialize in turning your mental vision into reality. They’ll add another level of professionalism to your photos and ensure the outcome is perfect.
- Ask your friends in the industry for referrals. They’ll give you trustworthy insight into their work ethic, personality, etc.
- Head over to Instagram and look at stylists’ work in your area. Instagram is one of the best platforms for this because it’s essentially a public portfolio where you can see what they’ve done in the past, what they’re working on now and decide if their style fits your vision.
To get a feel for exactly what stylists can do for a musicians brand, we talked to Creative Director, Jocelyn Simone, and Pro Colorist, Chelsey Pickthorn, of We Color Live to find out what makes a great stylist, how to find one, the perks of the craft and more. Check out “What Do Stylists Do For Musicians?” to learn from the people who know first-hand.
Studio vs On-Location
Artists should consider having both studio and on-location settings for your photos. If you want more serious photos with dramatic lighting, indoor studio lighting works wonderfully. Shooting on-location somewhere outdoors offers a chance to shoot more fun, creative shots. Ideally, you’ll want both in your arsenal of press photos.
It’s a good idea to try and offer some variation with your shots. Giving journalists, promoters, managers, etc. more options will make it easier for them to place you in features. The idea here is to make their job as easy as possible, i.e. don’t give them a reason NOT to use your stuff.
To help you out, here are some guidelines of what you should have:
- Portrait (Vertical): 8.5 x 11 inches, 800 x 1200 pixels (suitable for magazine covers)
- Landscape (Horizontal): 11 x 8.5 inches, 1200 x 800 pixels (ideal for double-page spreads)
- Square: 10 x 10 inches, 1000 x 1000 pixels (useful for album covers and social media profiles)
You should also have various types of shots. These include: Headshots, Full Body Shots, Environmental shots (aka you in action), Creative shots (aka more artistic, unique), and Group shots if you’re in a band with other people. Keep in mind that these photos aren’t just for press. Your more creative shots can be repurposed into album art, merch, or even tour posters and personal social media content. The more serious ones may be more suited for editorial features. The more options you have, the better off you’ll be.
What To Do Post-Production
If you hire a good photographer, they should also professionally edit and retouch your photos before sending them back to you. If not, make sure you have them retouched (by either you or a professional). The goal is to maintain a look that fits your vibe while also enhancing the overall quality of the images. Consistency is also crucial. The pros recommend trying to keep a consistent style across all your press photos to strengthen your brand identity. That means color tones, lighting, and overall aesthetic.
Once you’ve got your photos, it’s important to remember this won’t be the last time you go through this process. You should regularly refresh your press photos to keep them current and reflective of your latest work and style. You’d be surprised how often artists forget how essential high-resolution images are. These photos are important for use in various media formats, from online articles and printed posters to social content, press releases and so much more. (I’ve actually had times where I had to remove an artist from a blog feature because I couldn’t find a single good quality photo to use.) That said, make sure that you have enough options available to be adaptable to different promotional needs.
In Conclusion…
Having great quality press photos is almost as important as the quality of your music. You don’t want a blurry pic from the back of a crowd to represent who you are to the public. Think of paying a little more for great press photos as an investment in your future. You wouldn’t buy equipment or hire a manager without doing your research, and the same applies here! These images are what the industry will look to when considering you for bigger opportunities.
Put your best foot (and face) forward!
