Band photoshoot tips

[Keira]

Hi guys and gals,

I've been doing live music photography for a while now, and this seems to have naturally progressed into bands asking me for photoshoots.

I've done a few ad hoc shoots in the past, using natural outdoor light, but this was my first pre-planned shoot in a hired venue.

Ad hoc stuff (rehearsal room shots)

http://a729.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/42/l_198638c0dee13fa854e3b7fa11089938.jpg

http://a776.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/61/l_c5284077f5e28557491ad33e23a2b4d7.jpg


Pre-planned photoshoot in club

The job took me about 4 hours, we had clothing changes and used about 4 or 5 different rooms within this rather swanky club in Piccadilly Circus, London.

Unfortunately, having neither the means nor the equipment to use my own portable studio lighting means I relied on ambient lighting and my trusty flash (bounced off a silver/white reflector thanks to my lovely assistant Helen) throughout, and all shots taken mounted on a tripod. Also had to ask the band to hold their poses, due to the darkness.

Please critique my work guys! I'd really appreciate your tips too. I'm really looking for ways I can get my bands to be more creative in their posing without having to direct or manipulate them too much. God forbid they'd end up looking like a boy band!

http://a769.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/44/l_d7839cf659537bf83643be32d4bd3cf0.jpg
http://a489.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/22/l_6adac578afa643e2fe116e750b32dbf8.jpg
http://a280.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/25/l_d0ead550c33f1a59a12892785a2416bf.jpg


x Keira

http://a736.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/16/l_f2dbe62f5a480bf3f9d27f04da3ee7cf.jpg

[SingingSabre]

Honestly, I much prefer the random rehearsal shots, but there isn't anything marketable there.

Personally, I feel the posed shots need a little more than the standard band look-of-indifference. It's something I feel many bands are getting sucked into these days, and it's getting a big stagnant. Your shots are lit well, composed well, and everything is solid from a technical standpoint. All the shots you posted look like good CD covers!

I'm a little new to this photography thing (been in the music biz for a while), so keep that in mind. :)