So you’re planning a career in music, you’re getting out there, gigging, recording, and you’ve got some great material. Sooner or later someone is going to want to publish some information about you, maybe on their website, maybe in some local press, either way you’re going to need some pictures. When it comes to the pictures that you have, quality is important and you want to present a professional image.

Hire A Photographer

First thing’s first, if you want professional images - get a professional! So many bands settle for classic ‘myspace poses’ taken by their friends (and far too often themselves), which simply isn’t good enough. Ideally you want to get someone who’s taken musician photographs before but typically a good photographer will have an extensive portfolio which you will be able to take a look at and gauge whether or not their style is what you’re looking for.

Of course a full professional photographer isn’t within everyone’s budget so if money is an issue (which it is for most starting bands) then see if you can find anyone who will take pictures for you in order to expand their own portfolio. Typically a lot of starting photographers will be happy to take free pictures for you provided that you give them credit when you use the pictures.

What To Look For In A Photographer

In addition to that you don’t want to end up in the middle of a shoot with someone who has vastly different creative ideas than you do! A lot of photographers consider themselves to be artists of sorts and may well want to place you in all sorts of artistic scenarios that don’t quite suit your taste. Here are some things to look for when considering a photographer.

• They have a website - this is always a good sign as it means they take themselves and their work seriously
• You’ve seen their photographs on other artist sites - not likely for an unknown but if you’re paying money then this is a definite plus
• You’ve had a word of mouth recommendation - it’s always a good idea to talk to someone who’s worked with the photographer before, and if you’ve had an unprompted recommendation then that’s always a bonus
• They’re friendly and open about prices - beware the ones who don’t meet this bit of criteria or you could potentially be heading for a big bill
• They use professional gear - someone who invests in good equipment is likely to pay more attention to what they’re doing, the most common professional brands are Canon and Nikon Digital SLR’s.

Questions To Ask Them Before You Get Started

Photography and image copyright laws can be pretty complex at times so it’s good to have a basic knowledge of the basics before you start working with someone. You don’t want to end up paying for a shoot and only being allowed to take away 5 pictures which you then don’t have full rights to! Here are some things to ask your potential photographer:

• How do they charge? Per hour, or for a certain number of shots?
• What contracts do they use, and do they have model release forms?
• How many shots will you be able to take copies of?
• What format will they be in? (jpg/raw/tiff)
• How many prints will you get from the shoot?
• What rights is the photographer giving you? Is he retaining any himself?
• Will you have full ownership of the photographs?
• Is he expecting you to credit him every time the pictures are used?
• What creative ideas does he have about what sort of shoot would work for you?

If he can’t or won’t answer any of those questions then consider carefully whether or not he’s the right person for you to be working with. A good photographer will always be friendly, polite, and happy to sit down and work through the exact agreement with you.

Of course don’t forget that if you aren’t paying for the session, then you shouldn’t expect a great deal in terms of paperwork from them - so do the research yourself and make sure that you know exactly what rights you need to take away with you.

Have you met any great music or gig photographers? Or are there any other tips that you would give someone looking to hire a photographer? Leave me a message in the comments section below and let me (and everyone else) know!

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