How impossible is it to get band photos that aren't excruciatingly bad?

Let's face it: most people aren't that spectacular looking. If they were, we wouldn't have a culture that reveres the few who are, regardless of their other qualities. So most normal people look pretty... normal. That's fine; most of us aren't relying on our pretty looks to create an image, get gigs, sell records, or whatever we're trying to do.

Anyway, at some point, most artists/bands need to take photos. For things like your press kit, for sending to prospective clubs, for general promo stuff, you usually need some image-based representation of your band.

But the possibility of looking like a complete douche is very high, if you're not careful. You could go the "serious artiste" route, and have everyone staring pensively into space (yuck). You could go the "boy band" route and have your band members crouched and making little hand gestures (super yuck). You can try and be really mean/tough looking (probably the worst). You can all smile into the camera like you were at the photo studio in Target getting a family portrait (yikes). You can work with a pro photographer, or the drummer's girlfriend's camera on her cell phone, and still get really bad pics.

It's a challenge, to say the least.

At my recording session last weekend, I had my guys step outside the studio to take some shots. Most of them came out terrible, as you'd expect. But we got two that, for different reasons, I actually like.

1. The "We're serious, but we're not jerks" shot.


2. The "We're complete silly morons, but we're fun" shot.


You guys should post some of your band pics so I can make fun of you, or at least tell you what I think when I see the shots with my fresh eyes.

OK, you asked for it.... First of all, I think your picture should tell the person what kind of a band you are and what you play. For us, that's easy. We just need to look like the cheesiest band from the 80's you can imagine. That being said, with member changes and such, we REALLY need a current photo session. Here is the original lineup (pre-wigs) from about 5 yrs ago:


I took the old header they were using for flyers and such, and photoshopped in the new members:


I really needed something current, so in the mean time, during break, we all posed while my wife took a picture (I photoshopped out the stage in the background). I don't like it, but until I get a better one that's up to date, we've been using it:


Towards the end of my old band, which also played 80's music but didn't do the wigs, we took what I thought were some pretty good 80's themed shots.

The first one I stole from Duran Duran - we posed exactly like them, and then I did the posterize effect on it:


This one was our attempt to imitate the cover of "The Breakfast Club":


We took a couple shots with a Delorian. I used Photoshop to make the license plate say Radio Star (the band name):




None of these were taken professionally, but I have some great live shots from a professional. I think a good professional who has experience shooting bands can help with the poses.

Funny story - back in my Duo, we went to one of these photagraphy studios like you'd get your family pictures from. They had us doing these poses that just didn't feel right. We're like, "Are you sure?", and they're like "No, trust me, trust me". So we did it, and every single one of them came back looking SOOOO GAY! We looked like a couple, not a band.

Too bad you're all the way in St Louis. My wife is an ace behind a camera (been shooting everything from stock swimsuit photography to bands to weddings for the last 15-odd years, learned from her grandad, who was a legendary staff photog at Life)

Next time you head East, give me a buzz, she'll get you done up right.

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewAlbums&friendID=391807397

A selected portfolio, most of it recent, some of it older.

We actually have a really good local photographer lined up who almost exclusively shoots bands. But we're wanting to change up our outfits a bit, which will involve some tailoring, and I want to wait until we have them before we do the pictures. Otherwise, 6 months from now we'll be saying, yeah the pictures are great, but we don't have any in our current wardrobe. I've got the Delorian owner lined up as well. I had wanted to have all this done by now, but the person who's making our outfits was busy making costumes for dance recitals or something.

These are great! Fun stuff.

This was my last band:



It was shot on the steps that led down into our basement rehearsal space.

And yes, there's definite douche-baggery going on here!

Mock away, Mr. K!

Noah

P.S. I'm on the far left trying to look tough (and thus falling into Jeff's "worst of all possible approaches" category)!

Dan:

Call me crazy, but I like the skinny black ties, white shirts, and Chuck Taylors look a LOT more than the wigs look. Do those wigs really help you guys get gigs?

Noah

Believe it or not, yes. Gigs have gone through the roof since that time. We play anytime we want - pretty much every Friday and Saturday night, and have about doubled our rate since then. I guess just one of those things that makes us stand out - people remember us. It's cheesy as all hell, but what do I care? There's a couple other bands in town that have started doing it as well. The key, though I think, is that it has to go along with an entire theme - you can just slap on a wig and expect your gigs to increase.

One thing I didn't like about the whit shirts/black ties is we looked too much like waiters or bus boys. Especially in places where the staff dressed that way. We'll be mixing it up a bit soon though and may partially revisit those outfits from time to time. But we'll keep the wigs.

That is the most recent band pic for The Zach Tate Band. There is at least one instance of douchebaggery in this band pic. There is also one case of "who is that ugly fat guy" I hate having my picture taken. I never would have thought that "smiling" was something that a person could be bad at, lol. I guess we'll be due for a new one now that this bass player is leaving for school.

I actually think this pic is pretty cool, as far as any band pics can possibly be cool.

Realizing the above, I opted to take another approach for our CD cover and band posters.

On one shot, I "ghosted" in the band pics into another picture. You can see us, but not Really see us.
This is used on our album cover and posters.
I used another band shot from an early spring gig we did at a renovated yet drafty plantation barn. Stocking caps and all.

These can both be seen on our homepage:
http://www.fpband.net/

Steve

Wow, it seems everyone has camera skills somewhat..

It's probably not worth taking a picture of my band, which is a work in progress and consists of 100% teenagers.

Trust me that a LOT of us would feel we had a better chance at being successful if we were teenagers as opposed to geezers.

Take those pics!

Wow. Where to start.

I'll agree with others that a good photographer with an artistic eye will make a big difference.

Photographers like those from Life are trained to capture engaging images of people. Any people. Models and non-models alike. They could capture engaging images of a common-looking rock.

But don't make them work so hard. Really, you have to give them something, too.

Models know how to give the camera something. The good ones can keep a photographer busy, shooting in rapid succession.

Posing is kind of a last resort, because it always looks ... posed.

Good clothes (fashion) helps. Wear something flattering. Give bandmates advanced notice so they dress appropriately. You don't have to wear matching outfits but pick stuff that goes together.

More later.

(cont'd)

People come in all different shapes and sizes. Granted, there's a reason high fashion models have the shape they have: anything looks great on them. But not everyone is so blessed.

So you have to find clothes that look good on you. Trust me; they're out there. You may have to look into specialty shops (e.g. "big & tall") or have your clothes tailored. Some department stores offer shopping assistants that will help you pick out clothes, too. The clothes make the man, as they say. Take the time to look and don't be afraid to spend some money.

Or do like Stevie B and just use headshots. Nothing wrong with that. Just keep in mind that now your face is under the microscope. You can spend hours photoshoping away wrinkles, adding/removing hair, etc. Or you can spend some together time with your face in the mirror prior to a photoshoot. (Maybe you won't give your wife such a hard time next time you go out and she spends hours getting ready. )

If you want, hire a MUA (makeup artist). How do you think those Hollywood stars look so good? (If it helps, pretend it is Halloween and you are dressing up as a rock star.)

If you've ever watched a season of American Idol I'm sure you've seen some image transformations. Clothes. Makeup. Hairdo. Etc.

Be prepared to spend some time on your shoot. Give yourself several hours so you don't have to rush. You'll want to take several photos because it is kind of like recording a band all at once in a big room. You look your best in one shot but someone else has his eyes closed. That sort of thing happens.

Be creative. Be interesting. If you need ideas take a look at good photojournalists' work, advertising, etc. "Every picture tells a story, don't it?"

I prefer the live pics myself. Finally got around to uploading a couple hundred pics that I've been meaning to get to over the last couple years. All of the links are to albums on facebook.

Ameristar Casino (pro photographer)

Brewskeez

Cards Game - Busch Stadium

The Duck Room

Helen Fitzgeralds (some pro photographer)

House of Rock (pro photographer)

Lucas Schoolhouse

Miscellaneous

The Phoenix

Sky Music Lounge

Stratford Inn (student photographer)

I mean it is a real work in progress: we haven't had any band practices, no shows, and we're not even sure who's in the band.

I definitely would, though, I'd be on the front line, doing the solos at some random show at the beach

80's man,
Love the pics.

Maybe I should get some wigs for our head shots. maybe just some weaves for those with less hair nowadays.
I'm not too worried about photo-shopping wrinkles. If Keith Richards can be on band shots, we got no problems.

anderseb,
Get the group praticing, figure out who's making the cut, make a song list, and take some promotion pictures.

OK, I posted these on the KB Corner, which is generally my home. New band pics, evaluating some of the outfits for the live shows. Would like your opinions:


Full Shoot


I kinda like this (which was edited by me)

Other than the drummer looking like he was hating the whole project, that was a nice reel you guys got there.

I actually like some of the more animated stuff than the one you chose. I've always preferred shots of bands acting a bit goofy over the "ultra-serious" stuff.

The drummer hates every project... he's the drummer.

Yeah, I do like some of the goofy ones for the web site and that sort of thing. The one I picked I had in mind for the heading to our posters and such, which usually look something like this: