Professional-looking band photos are essential for promoting your music.
They help you get press coverage for new releases and are often the first impression journalists, festival organizers, and fans will have of your act. Here is MN2S Label Services’ step-by-step guide to taking standout press shots.
What Are Press Shots?
Press shots are professional photos used to represent your band or music act. They are sent to magazines, blogs, websites, and festival organizers as part of your press kit or promotional campaigns. Even if you have not played a gig yet, keeping your press photos updated will make your social media look professional and can help secure your first performances.
High-quality press photos are not just about aesthetics. They show that you take your music seriously. Capturing them is a collaborative effort and not just the photographer’s job.
Below are 10 essential steps to ensure your press photos make an impact.
10 Steps to Great Press Photos
1. Create a Lookbook and Define Your Concept
Start by gathering inspiration. Browse streaming services, social media, and your favorite music magazines for press shots that resonate with your band’s style.
Create a lookbook or mood board and then develop your own concept that reflects your music. This can range from simple coordinated outfits to elaborate thematic setups. Keep it realistic and within budget. Stunts and elaborate props can get expensive fast.
2. Choose the Right Location
Your location should complement your music and brand. Consider abandoned buildings, urban streets, coffee shops, or scenic outdoor spaces, whatever aligns with your style.
Avoid overused backdrops like plain brick walls. If you need help finding unique spaces, resources like Tutti offer a variety of local locations.
Remember that natural light is your friend. If shooting indoors, ensure windows or doorways provide sufficient lighting or invest in studio lights if needed.
3. Select Props Carefully
Props can enhance a shoot, but they must fit your concept. Avoid cheap or overly whimsical items that could detract from your professional image. Functional props, such as discreet kneeling pads, can also make your shots look more polished.
4. Costume, Hair, and Makeup Matter
- Makeup: Even for natural looks, use powder to avoid shine.
- Hair: Ensure it is styled and stays in place with fixing spray if necessary.
- Costume: Coordinate outfits without matching exactly. Think complementary tones or styles rather than identical clothes.
Your lookbook can guide these choices.
5. Hire a Photographer with Band Experience
Choose a photographer experienced with bands. Landscape or portrait photographers may not capture your act effectively.
If using a friend due to budget limits, keep the concept simple and give clear instructions. Avoid self-timed shots. You need to be present in the photos.
6. Capture Close-Ups
Include both close-ups and full-length shots. Close-ups highlight facial details and are ideal for social media. Wider shots are suitable for editorial use. Variety gives media more options.
7. Stick to Color Photography
Always provide color press photos. Black-and-white can be a personal or social media choice, but most blogs and magazines prefer color. If you want black-and-white versions, include them in addition to color images.
8. Provide Multiple Aspect Ratios
Press photos should work in multiple formats:
- 16:9
- 9:16
- 1:1
- 4:5
Crop landscape and portrait images during editing to accommodate these ratios, ensuring no body parts are awkwardly cut off. Tools like Lightroom or Photoshop make this straightforward.
9. Label Files Clearly and Send via Links
Label images as PRESS SHOTS and organize them in folders, such as JPG and PNG. Avoid sending large attachments. Use downloadable links instead. Media will appreciate the clarity and accessibility.
10. Provide High-Resolution Images
High-resolution images are critical. Media can scale down images easily, but scaling up low-resolution files causes quality issues.
- JPG/JPEG: around 500 KB
- PNG: around 200 KB
Collaboration Is Key
Every band member should be involved in the creative process, from concept to final shoot. Treat press photo sessions like a performance. Plan, collaborate, and execute with everyone aligned.
Quality press photos help your music reach the right audience and leave a strong impression. Once you have your shots, it is time to head to your local recording studios and start promoting your latest releases.