How to Prepare for a Promo Shoot
Let's be real here, promotional images for your band are just as important as the music you put out. It's all about your image in this business, which means you need to be on your A game when it comes to taking your photos. So for those of you terrified that your shoot might end in disaster, here are some tips to help you make the most out of your photo shoot.
1. Talk to your photographer.
You should be in communication with your photographer every step of the way, being sure that your vision and their vision match up. This way, nothing surprises either of you and you have everything you need beforehand. I personally appreciate when my clients have a vision of their own. Not only is it less work for me, but your personality gets to shine as well. Have at least 5 main shots that you absolutely have to get in mind, and keep an open mind when the photographer tries to pose you differently. Being on the same page keeps everything running smoothly and ensures you get the best photos possible.
2. Coordinate your outfits.
Not so much that you're all wearing the exact same outfit, but similar enough. Nothing is worse than a band that doesn't look like a band. If everyone wears different colors and styles, it just looks off, no matter how good your photographer is. Make sure your outfits at least have a general theme or color scheme. If one of your members is dressed like a vampire, you all need to be dressed like vampires. Or vampire hunters. Or werewolves. You get it, stick to the theme.
3. Get plenty of sleep.
People are hard to work with when they're tired and cranky. Trust me, I've dealt with sleepy bands coming off of a run before. Plus you look more refreshed in your photos instead of looking like you just cheated death, as I often do. For photographers reading this, you might want to get some sleep too. It keeps your mind fresh, and the creative juices flowing.
4. Be ready to work.
A photo shoot isn't just work for the photographer, it's work for the subject as well. Yeah, we can probably get a decent candid of you goofing off with your friends, but if that's not your style, a goofy photo isn't going to cut it. Treat it like you're going in to record a song. Yes it's fun, but you're there to work. Get the job done first, and you can have fun later.
Alternatively: I know a lot of bands that actually work better when they're goofing off. But for most of them, their persona as a group is a fun-loving bunch of people. So again, depends on the vibe you're trying to put out.
5. Let us know if there's anything you want beforehand.
It's really inconvenient for everyone to have to redo a shoot because you forgot to bring a prop or ask for a certain shot. And I know I kinda said something about it before, but it's really that important, so I'm bringing it up again. Make sure your photographer knows everything you want to do before the shoot so we can get it done for you. If you don't, odds are you're gonna get charged extra, and the photographer is going to be mildly annoyed by the extra work they weren't expecting to do.
So there you have it. Five (well, four with an extra emphasis on the first) tips to make your upcoming photo shoot go a lot more smoothly.
