It is really tempting to offer to shoot bands and musicians for free, hoping that some where down the road they will pay you, or the pictures will some day be worth something..

Thats usually, almost 100% of the time, not the case.

Music is as much a visual medium as it is an aural one. Image is everything, and good photos should be worth their weight in gold.

When approaching potential clients, this fact should be a major point in your 'bid' to gain their business.


Since everyone and their mother now fancy themselves a photographer, the professional photographer profession has found itself flooded with talent, and I use the word TALENT loosely.



Step One: Market your talent


Contrary to this whole article, you may need to do something for free, to build an image portfolio, and clients who can attest you your talent.

Once you can comfortably market yourself, you will want to work on your pitch; Musicians in general, most of which are just starting out, are usually broke half the time, and will try and get your services for free. Be firm, and turn down the shoot if you have to.

Make sure they know that their image is just as important as their sound.

(I know I keep repeating it, but its important)



Step two: Developing a concept


You might have the best ideas in your head for a shoot, but first and foremost, the band needs to be comfortable with how their image will be portrayed.

Work with the members of the band to develop the concept of the shoot, and occasionally drop some "what ifs" from your own imagination. They might not like your ideas so much as their own, but usually you will agree on a hybrid of the group's, and your ideas.

An important thing to remember is that cliche's should be avoided at almost any cost.. If the concept is going in the direction of graveyards, traintracks, and other overused places, drop the C-BOMB.. most respectable musicians hate the word CLICHE as much as the term "sell-out"



Step Three: Licensing terms


This is one of the best, and most important things about shooting cover, poster, insert, promo-work for a band.

You control how your work is used, in what forms, and every aspect of copyright. This is also how you make your money.

There are several types of license you may want to offer your clients, at various rates

low rate: The photographer remains the copyright holder of all images, and allows them to be used only in certain ways. The photographer has the right to distribute the images as well, as he/she sees fit.

high rate: The photographer remains the copyright holder, but the band controls where the images are distributed, and in what way. The photographer is usually allowed to post the image in their portfolio, but not market the images in any other way

highest rate: An exclusive license where the band buys the rights to the image (copyright) off the photographer. Usually the photographer is bound to a contract, and cannot show the image without the bands express permission


These licenses allow both photographer and band to be protected in the event of a dispute.


Quite honestly, there is a lot of money to be made in the field of photography, and if you have an eye to make photos that shine above the rest, you will do well.

Don't sell yourself, OR the profession short.

Everyone has a camera, but not everyone has talent.



Some fantastic music/band photographers I enjoy here on deviantART (in no particular order)

*JeremySaffer



*MrSyn



=Atea-cinA



~banxter



=freakoftheeast



~Kuni4ek



`lithiumpicnic



`Staged



Please pay them a visit, watch, fave, suggest DD's whatever. They deserve it!


Keep shooting! (and making some money!)