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Show your band promo shots

#41
Pacman said:
I have a question for those who've posted in this thread. I'd really like to know how many of you are satisfied with your promo photos. I look in this thread and I see poorly-lit, out of focus (not purposely so), terribly composed shots. (Obviously, not all of the photos here are like that) How many of you would be willing to pay for a photo session from a professional photographer?

Thanks....
Click to expand...

I was extremely happy with Anthony's work on my promo shot I posted (and the overexposed on in my avatar). I don't know if part of it is the fact that my "day job" is as a graphic designer, but when WW requested photos of me and the Streamer, I talked to some of my actor friends in town to find out who was the one to call. Found Anthony's work on a friend's Facebook page, and demanded an introduction.

I've since worked with him a second time for when I got my Custom Shop fretless. He's easy to work with, confident in his abilities, and is open to ideas that I have. The first shoot we had, I had the specs that WW was looking for, so it was a little more formal of a setting, as we were both figuring this whole thing out. The second shoot was a piece of cake. Very laid back, with a "We know what WW wants, let's have some fun."

Definitely well worth the money that I paid for them, and I'd easily do it again.
 
#42
Monkey - I was quite obviously not talking about yours! Just out of curiosity (and if you don't mind) what did you pay him?
 
#43
Jon....

I "own" my band.. I also "own" the artwork etc... if someone joins the band they are also agreeing to 2-3 photo shoots per year... the pix stay with us and we can continue to use them.

I sincerely believe having professional artwork is one of the cornerstones between hack bands and true pros.

When students study with me... one of the first things we begin is their promotional package.

I'm guessing you're a photographer.
 
#45
Pacman said:
I have a question for those who've posted in this thread. I'd really like to know how many of you are satisfied with your promo photos. I look in this thread and I see poorly-lit, out of focus (not purposely so), terribly composed shots. (Obviously, not all of the photos here are like that) How many of you would be willing to pay for a photo session from a professional photographer?

Thanks....
Click to expand...

My previous band paid a photog for some professional shots and my new band took our own with a very good digital camera. There was little difference in our opinion so we likely wouldn't go the professional route again any time soon.
 
#46
Copyofposter-photo.jpg

27814_725498678055_38418627_39691420_5553451_n.jpg

wouldn't mind hearing a critique of these jon. you could pm if i'll end up with a new hole tho. :D

my take- we didn't hire a photographer, these were done by my wife (she does have a BFA and occasionally does photography). no one (including her) is really satisfied but they've worked well enough so far. the biggest problem is convincing people that this is important enough to spend actual time on i think.
 
#49
MNAirHead said:
Jon....

I "own" my band.. I also "own" the artwork etc... if someone joins the band they are also agreeing to 2-3 photo shoots per year... the pix stay with us and we can continue to use them.

I sincerely believe having professional artwork is one of the cornerstones between hack bands and true pros.

When students study with me... one of the first things we begin is their promotional package.

I'm guessing you're a photographer.
Click to expand...

You are truly a rare one! Yeah, I'm a photographer, and band photos is one of the areas I want to concentrate on....
 
#52
Pacman said:
I have a question for those who've posted in this thread. I'd really like to know how many of you are satisfied with your promo photos. I look in this thread and I see poorly-lit, out of focus (not purposely so), terribly composed shots. (Obviously, not all of the photos here are like that) How many of you would be willing to pay for a photo session from a professional photographer?

Thanks....
Click to expand...

Jon - Glad you asked, since my band was just discussing this as this thread was ramping up.

1st - Willing? All things being equal, yes, everyone in the band would be willing, but.....

2nd - Able? As far as return on investment, it just doesn't add up for us. We are weekend warrior types, a bar band with day jobs (ok - I'm not employed at the moment, but let's not go there), white boy blues stuff. And we get about as many gigs as we can fit into our life.

I completely agree with the statement about the promo materials separating the hack bands from the pros, BTW. I think most of the promo stuff in this thread is rather bad, but I am also aware that it likely gets the job done, it's "good enough". For graphics people I'm sure that drives you nuts.

I feel the same way about audio, being an engineer (no longer pro). I am AMAZED at how many good musicians and "good bands" have just the lamest demos, as well as CDs for sale. Sure, you can hear everything and it all sounds "ok", but that's about all you can say about most of it. And much of this comes out of "pro studios"......(guys w/ day jobs and fancy gear, maybe took a class or two, runs a "studio" on the weekends). I dont get it, I'm no Kevin Shirley, but it ain't that hard.......

Drives me nuts - but, seems to get the job done.

Sorry about the rant.

Anyway, my band was talking about doing some promo photos (ourselves) for a particular package a festival wants, and I pointed out to the band that we could spend a whole day or so snapping pictures, plus more time to have the drummer (a graphics guy during the day) touch up the results and so on, only to come up with something that is not really any better than what the drummer whipped up to use for the web/FB and flyers, using photos taken at gigs and cobbling them together (as seen in my initial post).
 
#55
Here's a promo photo from my worship team's recently launched website Invalid Link Removed

Worship-Team_wide2-550x220.jpg
 
#58
Pacman said:
I have a question for those who've posted in this thread. I'd really like to know how many of you are satisfied with your promo photos. I look in this thread and I see poorly-lit, out of focus (not purposely so), terribly composed shots. (Obviously, not all of the photos here are like that) How many of you would be willing to pay for a photo session from a professional photographer?

Thanks....
Click to expand...

I haven't posted a photo, don't really have one, we use live shots for promo. But I must compliment you on your self-portrait, that's a great shot. It looks like you're avatar was cropped out of that shot too? All of your shots do look great, and it is the lighting that makes them look "pro".
 

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