Sometimes overlooked, your photo is what a lot of promoters use to judge what level you are at in your career. Displaying professionally done photos can show that you are serious about your craft. Hiring a professional is a great way to make sure your band looks their best. However you might have to do some research to make sure their art complements your art, and that they have experience working with bands. It is also a good idea to know what you are looking for when choosing the right photographer.

Here are some tips-

• Portfolio- This is a chance for the photographer to put their best photos forward. Ask to see their portfolio, and make sure their style is a similar to yours. If you don’t like any of the photos they’ve taken, you probably haven’t found the right photographer for you.

• Style- Different photographers specialize in different photos types. These include, but are not limited to, commercial, high fashion, band/musician, live performance, portrait, nature, landscape, concept, glamour, etc. Check to see if they have experience shooting musicians for promotional photos. Keep in mind that just because someone is a photographer doesn’t necessarily mean that they can take a great band photos.

• Price- Many photographers are flexible in their prices and can create affordable packages. Don’t be afraid to ask how much. You should know what your band can and can’t afford. A photo shoot can run from TFP/TFCD to the thousands depending on the photographer and your project. It¹s a good idea to shop around and compare prices.

• TFP/TFCD- TFP/TFCD stand for “trade for print” and “trade for CD”. In short, there are photographers out there who may be willing to shoot you at no cost and provide you with prints or CDs of the images. Typically, this is to build their portfolio, but if you have a dedicated fan who’s a photographer as well, this can be a great source of affordable pictures.

• Photoshoot/Concept- How photo shoots run can be different for each photographer. Don’t hesitate to ask them how they generally run their photo shoots and if they are open to ideas. You want to make sure you and your band are completely comfortable so the shoot can run smoothly. Show the photographer your biography, website, EPK, and recorded music to give them an idea of what your image is and how to properly stage and convey it. The more ideas you have, the more your bands’ personality will show through.

We didn’t create the opinions expressed at Spinner.com, but we think this amusing article makes some points worth viewing.

• Examples- Find examples of band photos that you like. This can range from layout, lighting and settings to colors and emotion. Send these to your photographer before your photoshoot.

• Resources- Wondering where to find photographers? Check out local bands in your area and see who they’ve worked with. Don’t be afraid to ask how their experience was and if they’d recommend them. Other resources:

o Craigslist-If you’re in an area with an active craigslist community, check out the artist section.

o Model Mayhem

o Photographers.com

o Arts and Photography Schools- Students at art and photography schools are always seeking new subjects to photograph and add to their portfolio.

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