10 Rules for Good Band Photos
I don’t know about all you, but I cringe to think back to some of the band shots I’ve been a part of. Cheesy? Yes. Lame? Also yes. Over-dramatic? Yes again. Been there, done that. But as we get older, we (hopefully) learn from our earlier naiveté and (hopefully) try more effective approaches. There are no specific rules for band pictures. Most of the below rules are strictly my opinion and nothing more. However, I will state that my opinion on this issue is widely shared across the music community. And if you’ve never seen the Hall of Douchebags before, take a look.
1. Do not stand in front of a brick wall or on railroad tracks. It’s been done…over and over and over again. And no matter what, do not stand on railroad tracks that run next to a brick wall. Double whammy.
2. Pick a direction for everyone in the band to look. Having two people look to the right, one to the left, and one at the camera is not going to win you points. There is no shame in having everyone look directly at the camera. In fact, considering eye contact is considered one of the more important elements of a live entertainment show, you could say it’s ideal.
3. Do not arrive at the photo shoot in your “going to Kroger for milk” clothes. Unless that’s what you wear on stage. And if that’s the case, you’re probably wasting money and time sending out your press kit in the first place because you’re not approaching your music like a professional and those in the industry that matter will recognize this and move on.
4. Leave the photo editing to the photographer. Assuming you got even a semi-professional photographer to take your shots, different filters, lenses, and angles should have been used to make the photos optimal without additional software editing. However, if editing is required, let the photographer do it as he/she will most likely only edit what needs editing. If you own Photoshop, leave it alone. You’re just going to make matters worse. If your pictures are so bad that they need extensive editing with a graphic design program, go get a better photographer and have some better pictures taken. True, there are times when it’s okay to have fun with your pics and use programs like Photoshop to manipulate the photos. But don’t do this to the photo you would use as your official promo shot.
5. Look like a band, not a group of individuals. I’m not saying you need to wear uniforms or matching headwear. But as a band, you need to discuss your “look” before the day of the shoot if you haven’t already established one. If your look is to have no look…fine. But in all actuality, that’s still a “look.” In addition, a “non-look” is likely to get you dismissed more quickly than a band that looks like they showed up prepared for the shoot (see Rule 3). Remember that the idea of a photograph is to capture the moment. If you appear unorganized and unprofessional in your photo, people are going to assume that’s how you are as musicians, performers, businessmen, etc.
6. You are not the Reservoir Dogs. Similar to train tracks and brick walls, many bands like to do shots of themselves walking down the road, similar to the opening scene of the movie Reservoir Dogs. Do it if you want, but be warned that the factor of originality will be automatically dismissed by anyone viewing your shots.
7. Singers…back off. I can say this because I am a lead singer. And nothing drives me battier than seeing a band shot where the singer is taking up half the shot and the other bandmates are struggling just to fit into the background. Unless your lead singer is a superstar from a previous band or a ridiculously hot chick who likes to dress slutty (both instances overriding this rule), everyone in the band should get equal billing. Just because you hold the microphone doesn’t mean you’re the only person people care to see.
8. See-through shirts were never and are still not cool. Unless you’re a hot chick (see Rule 7), don’t wear something as ridiculous as a see-through shirt in the photo. If this is part of your “look,” you have a lot of re-evaluating to do. You may also need psychiatric help.
9. Portray the feel of your music with your faces and poses. If you are a metal band that sings only about suicide, genocide, homicide, insecticide, and all the other “-cide” words, you probably shouldn’t be smiling in the photo with a daisy tucked behind your ear. On the flipside, if you are a pop band with a lot of positive, happy-go-lucky songs, you shouldn’t be scowling or looking distraught. If you’re not sure what category you fall into, do the standard emotion-free mugshot look.
10. You do not have to post every photo taken online. There is a reason why photographers take tons of pictures to try to get a few good ones. We all have our “bad side”, eyes can close during the shot, etc. If your drummer’s eyes are closed in a picture, delete it. Period. Your band’s photos are your visual representative of not only you as people but also your music. If your pictures look half-assed, people may assume your music is as well.
