Band photos: DIY or Pro

[Bodeanly]

Hello, colleagues, peers, trolls, and lurkers:

Band promo pics.
I'm leaning towards DIY.
If you choose Pro, what kind of band are you in and what price is acceptable?
Yes, I spelled "hobbyist" incorrectly.

Thanks.

 

[SaxBass]

For me, it depends on the photography talent you have in-house. When I see a poorly composed, poorly exposed photo of a person or group trying to sell a service or product, I sort of cringe and then move on pretty quickly. First impressions and all that. For pro photos you may not need to go far or spend a lot. I know several musicians that are also good photographers and you may know some in your circle also. Photography these days is a tough business (everyone has a camera and fancies themselves a photographer), so you may find someone who can do the shots for you at a reasonable cost. I'm in a variety band here in San Diego, and a friend and I did the shots for my band (both of us are fairly experienced photographers). Backdrop, 3 light setup, worked pretty well. Environmentals are great, too, with a good eye and good light. Good luck!

 

[buldog5151bass]

In today's world, the lines between "pro" and "DIY" are pretty blurred. Take a look at the product. I have a friend who is an amateur, but can do more than most pros I've seen.

 

[Bodeanly]

For me, it depends on the photography talent you have in-house. When I see a poorly composed, poorly exposed photo of a person or group trying to sell a service or product, I sort of cringe and then move on pretty quickly. First impressions and all that. For pro photos you may not need to go far or spend a lot. I know several musicians that are also good photographers and you may know some in your circle also. Photography these days is a tough business (everyone has a camera and fancies themselves a photographer), so you may find someone who can do the shots for you at a reasonable cost. I'm in a variety band here in San Diego, and a friend and I did the shots for my band (both of us are fairly experienced photographers). Backdrop, 3 light setup, worked pretty well. Environmentals are great, too, with a good eye and good light. Good luck!

Great response and I thank you. In the past, we have always used photographers that owe us favors or will work in trade (or one of us was "dating" a "photographer"). With this project, I am really pushing the DIY route until we are further down the road.

In today's world, the lines between "pro" and "DIY" are pretty blurred. Take a look at the product. I have a friend who is an amateur, but can do more than most pros I've seen.

I believe I have swayed the group to try DIY first, even though a local "pro" has offered to "cut us a deal."

 

[SaxBass]

I think it's a great idea to try DIY first! If you have ideas and try lots of stuff, really nothing to lose and lots to gain! And I also have seen brilliant stuff done by "amateurs", even with cell phones. It's all about the image, getting a good composition in good light. There's a world of good examples out there to see. Go for it!

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

I would go with "pro" but I use the term loosely. Usually between a few band members one can find an amateur photog who can take some decent pictures, I just kick them a little coin and call it a day. You get a better than DIY result and you pay less than pro prices.

 

[Bodeanly]

I would go with "pro" but I use the term loosely. Usually between a few band members one can find an amateur photog who can take some decent pictures, I just kick them a little coin and call it a day. You get a better than DIY result and you pay less than pro prices.

"Hobbiest with cool camera" added to choices. Thanks, man!

Hobbyist*

Son of a...

 

[catcauphonic]

We play post punk/indie, & like to try to keep it in our wide circle of multi talented friends first ... several of whom at least make part of their living doing photography. They'll definitely give a better deal, though every image won't be a winner

 

[buldog5151bass]

Just remember when you go with friends, you have to be willing to say no if you don't like the results.

 

[Bodeanly]

We play post punk/indie, & like to try to keep it in our wide circle of multi talented friends first ... several of whom at least make part of their living doing photography. They'll definitely give a better deal, though every image won't be a winner

As @buldog5151bass has suggested, how do you tell your friends if you think a picture sucks?

Just remember when you go with friends, you have to be willing to say no if you don't like the results.

 

[catcauphonic]

As @buldog5151bass has said, how do you tell your friends if you think a picture sucks?

Well, if you're only looking for one or two usable images you don't need to comment on the rest. If they can't even produce one or two good ones, it's probably best to delicately tell them what improvements would help them in the future. I wouldn't ask somebody with a zero track record

 

[buldog5151bass]

You just have to be willing to be honest with them, or if the friendship is more important, and they won't understand, you use someone else.

 

[catcauphonic]

Usually amateurs will try to make up for it by taking a LOT of images. Whereas a pro might only give you a contact sheet of a dozen.

 

[catcauphonic]

I would do some research before the shoot of locations and band poses you might like to use, show them to him/her, and then make a fun afternoon of it.

 

[catcauphonic]

What have you got to lose? Maybe $50 & lunch or a few beers?? Go pro if results aren't to your liking.

I was huge into photography before everybody had a decent camera on them at all times. I especially liked working with bands. Go to the local community college''s photo department and put up a wanted flyer. I would have jumped on that as a student ... and for cheap!

 

[Bodeanly]

Go to the local community college''s photo department and put up a wanted flyer. I would have jumped on that as a student ... and for cheap!

I'm a teacher. I smell some extra credit...

 

[Old Blastard]

I have a friend and former colleague who is an awesome pro photographer. She is cutting the band a heck of a deal and will give us free use of everything. I know her talent, I know her costs and I know she will do a great job, even if it means coming back. I also know she gave me a great price. So, I'll go with pro this time. If I didn't know someone, I'd probably ask a good friend who takes great shots.

 

[KickingBass]

Locally there's a really cool guy who goes out to rock shows and takes pretty cool pics and then uploads them to Facebook afterwards for the bands. All for free. If a band wants a photoshoot you just talk to the guy and hell give you a photoshoot. All for free. Look around for a guy like that in your area maybe? There are probably decent hobbyist out there looking to build experience.

 

[dgrizzly]

For your standard "lineup" shots, we went DIY with decent results. For live shots, pro is well worth it IMO. We gave our drummer's photographer friend $50 and a green donation for the set and he was happy. Came back with about a dozen HQ, touched-up photos that we could use.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I have a friend and former colleague who is an awesome pro photographer. She is cutting the band a heck of a deal and will give us free use of everything. I know her talent, I know her costs and I know she will do a great job, even if it means coming back. I also know she gave me a great price. So, I'll go with pro this time. If I didn't know someone, I'd probably ask a good friend who takes great shots.

Someone like that, you buy drinks, like his FB page, give him band merch, credit him on your website, whatever makes him happy.