I had my first publicity shoot a couple weeks ago. For shooting in the very middle of the day in probably the harshest light I think it went really well. The band's name is Brokedown in Bakersfield and they hired me to get some publicity shots together for them.
Since the band primarily plays covers of Bakersfield country legends like Merle Haggard and Buck Owens and that sound was centered heavily in the mid-sixties to early-seventies, I wanted to process these in a vintage approach. It was my first time doing so and I really like the way the shots came out. We did about 4 different set ups and this was one of the shots from one of those set ups.
I was nervous to be "the guy" to get the shots but I ended up getting some help from a friend that acted as my art director and that helped immensely. It helped so much to have a second set of eyes looking at the scenes from out of the camera. She helped with set ups and placement and checked in as I shot. It was amazing how that presence calmed me down and kept me focused.
The musicians pictured are amazing players here in the Bay Area: L to R: Nicki Bluhm, Tim Bluhm, Dave Brogan, Scott Law, Dan Lebowitz and Steve Adams. Steve, Dan and Dave are all in ALO, Tim is frontman for The Mother Hips, Nicki has her own band Nicki Bluhm And The Gramblers, and Scott Law has been in the Oregon/nor Cal music scene forever and is one of the best guitar players I've heard. Check out their website: www.brokedowninbakersfield.com
Brokedown in Bakersfield: 8/18/11
by Andrew Quist Photography, on Flickr
