A typical photo shoot during a live performance requires no participation from the band. A music photographer scouts your venue for you and learns how the stage will be lit, where the band will be upon the stage, and how much room will be available for him during the shoot. Depending on what kind of music you play and how you perform on stage, the photographer will prepare himself accordingly to get the kinds of photos that best represent your band. Typically, a music photographer will have a photo pass, which will only allow them to work for the first three songs. If you can, make them good ones.
Having a conversation with the a music photographer prior to the shoot about what direction you foresee for the band and what image you would like to portray, will make the shoot more productive. Does your band have a front man, and if so, do you want the front man featured in the photos. The photographers will know how to position themselves in order to achieve the photos that you are looking for, whether it is from below, off to the side or from a higher vantage point. Each shot provides a new opportunity to sell your band’s image.
There are challenges posed by the noise and crowds during a live concert as well. Your band may be performing in a night club or in a concert hall. Decide whether you want the crowd to be part of the shots. A music photographer has experience working in this kind of environment and embraces these challenges.
Lighting will probably be an issue during a live performance. A music photographer understands the challenges that live performance photography entails. He will come prepared for a low light shot, with the proper equipment and settings. Using what is available to him at the show, spotlights and colored back lighting, a music photographer can bring out the essence of the band. A professional photographer with experience in another field of photography may not be able to use such challenging lighting to your advantage.
Now you’ve got some great shots of your band performing live. They can be used for promotional pieces such as blogs, websites, posters, and reviews. Taking the time to find the right music photographer for your band’s unique needs will definitely be worth your while. Just think of some of those photos of the Rolling Stones or Jimi Hendrix live, on stage, when they were new to the music scene. Those images helped sell the band’s persona as well as their music.