How to Prepare for Your Music Photography Session | Seattle Music Photographer
Music Photography | Musician photo session | Seattle Music Photographer | Creatives / Actors / Headshots / Portrait
How to Get the Most from Your Photo Session
Ok, so you have made the step and decided to invest in a professional photography session. Nice! Congrats!
Now, how can you make the most of it? A music photo session is very much a collaboration between the artists or musicians and the photographer. Your photographer can direct the entire shoot, but as a creative yourself - there is much you can do to add and to prepare.
Musician portrait photography is different from other types of portrait photography. As musicians, artists, bands - you have a brand and a particular image that you are putting out there for your audience. Because of this, the right professional photography can make a huge difference. How would you describe your style/brand: Gritty? Rich? Moody? Bright and Colorful? Neutral and Relaxed?
You may have this locked down already. If so - do tell your photographer. If not yet, you can begin creating your brand by thinking of your genre, your audience, who you are as people. Think of how others have described your sound and then really listen to your own music. Write down at least 5 words that describe who you are.
Once you have these words, keep them somewhere - visual. This will become your brand. This is the essence of who you are and it will guide your professional image. Once you have clear, consistent messaging and style - it will draw your particular audience in.
5 questions to help you prepare for your shoot:
What mood or style most represents what you would like to portray?
Use your brand and the essence of your sound to direct the mood and style of your shoot.
Another great way to decide on mood is to create a mood board. This can be a physical board, or a file on your computer filled with inspirational images. You can collect colors / a color palette, words, and other images. The images do not need to be other portraits, or band photos. They can be images of places or objects that have a feel which matches your words. As you collect, keep in mind the words you chose.
This is something I do before every shoot as the photographer. I listen to the music and search or jot down all the inspirational ideas I can find. As the shoot nears, I narrow it down to one specific message.
2. What images will you need and what will they be used for?
Musicians and artists need a variety of images. Think of where you will use the images (social media, magazines, flyers, newspapers, cover art) and where you may need images going forward. You’ll need a variety of poses and set-ups. The more variety you have, the more you’ll have to choose from for your various needs.
Some thoughts:
Headshots / closeups
Individual portraits / group portraits
Both horizontal and vertical
Images with space to allow for words (think flyers / online promotions)
Images that can easily be cropped to different sizes
Images that remain strong even as a thumbnail
Studio shots / Live shots / Concept images
Both with and without instruments - or mic - turntables - etc…
Images of other objects or scenes that match your vision.
Images with a green-screen to create composites.
Discuss with your photographer the types of images you need and where exactly the images will be used so that you can get the proper licensing of the images.
[I loop in to the creative fee an unlimited 5 year editorial/ press license, with the option to purchase lifetime editorial use. This way, you don’t have to come back to me every time you’d like to use an image and for each publication, you are free to use].
3. Wardrobe: What will you wear?
You may use items that you already own, you may purchase something new, or we may work with a stylist to create just the right look.
Some general tips for wardrobe and styling:
Start with the mood/style you have pre-determined.
Wear something you feel GREAT in. This is super important. When you feel confident, it comes through in your images.
Think of the location and background. Often times we neglect to consider the textures and colors of the background and all that surrounds the subjects. If it is a highly texturized and busy background - we will typically want to contrast that with very simple and solid wardrobe. The colors, hues, and tones of the background should go with the colors, hues, and tones you wear.
Solids tend to work best.
Have a color palette. Especially if you are more than one person, it’s a good idea to have a similar theme to the colors you choose for wardrobe. If someone is in bright primary colors and everyone else is in neutrals - they will really stand out and clash. If that isn’t what you want, then you’ll need to know the color palette for your image.
Use a color wheel: Colors that work well together are either right next to each other on a color wheel or exactly opposite. Purples and violets with yellows and greens - or with blues and reds… Oranges with blues and turquoise or with reds and yellows…
4. Scout Locations.
Your photographer will do this as well - but it’s a great idea to have some locations in mind. Again, go back to the mood you’d like to portray and then think what location will represent that best. Then, actually go there. Check it out. Look at all the angles and notice what would be in the background of those images.
Think outside of the box and think of your resources. Don’t limit yourself to only think of places that are easy and simple. Simple may be what you are going for - but this can also be a great time to get creative! Maybe you want to make a drive up to the mountains or to the Olympic Nation Forest? Maybe you take a dip in Puget Sound? Do you know anyone who has access to something unusual that could help with your vision ? Some places I’ve shot before are: Inside of a refrigerator, wading in water, on a boat, inside of a bar, on an abandoned train car, on the subway, on a fire escape, in an abandoned construction site, in the street in front of Pike Place Market… The location does not have to be elaborate, especially if that does not match your vision, but don’t say “no” to yourself if you get some inspiration!
5. Get to know your photographer and introduce them to YOU!
As I mentioned before, the music photography session is very much a collaboration and the more you can get to know your photographer, the better. Introduce your photographer to your music. Get to know your photographer’s portfolio and work style. Ask questions about how they shoot and what to expect on shoot day. The more comfortable you are with each other the more the creativity will flow!
Here are some sample questions for your photographer:
How would you describe your photography style? (Make sure to take time viewing your photographers portfolio before working together. It will give you a good idea of what to expect from your session).
How would you describe the way you work? What do you offer with each session (How many images are included / do you shoot digital or film / How will I receive the images / Can I order prints or frames)?
How long have you been shooting professionally?
Have you worked with musicians before? Can you tell me about that experience?
Do you professionally edit and retouch the images?
Will you have an assistant? Do you work with makeup artists/stylists/etc.?
Do you help with posing? How will we create the concept for the shoot?
What usage rights will I have for the photographs?
Finally - get to know them and find out if your personalities match.
Style / Personality / Budget / Delivery of Images - these will be the most important pieces in finding your Photographer Match.
On shoot day: Let loose and have FUN!!!
Ready to book? Lock in your session today:
Want to get more info like this and more? Join the list!: