Shooting bands can be a fulfilling and invigorating experience for any professional photographer. Musicians are some of the most creative and inspiring people around. Photographers who want to show off their imaginative streaks, because of that, often genuinely enjoy working with them. If you’re a photographer who regularly works with musical acts, you need to invest in these four things as soon as possible.
Bands often appreciate photography that’s artsy, cool and visually arresting. If you want to be able to experiment with different kinds of styles and aesthetic approaches, it can help to have numerous camera lenses on hand at all times. There are some lenses out there that can contribute to soft, hazy and dreamy feels and atmospheres. There are other lenses that can add to gritty and more “punk rock” ambiances and vibes. You can choose the lens you use depending on your mood. You can choose it based on the specific act you’re shooting, too.
Photographing bands can often be a demanding job. You may follow a band on tour to provide it with concert photography. You may follow it around the streets of a big city to take interesting candid shots as well. If you want to be able to hold all of your photography necessities with ease and confidence, then you need a durable and reliable photography backpack in your life, period. It doesn’t matter if you want to hold many lenses, a backup camera or even rolls of film. A sturdy backpack with many different compartments can be extremely useful.
Musicians often like to look flashy and glamorous. That often involves wearing makeup. Busy musicians don’t always have makeup products easily accessible, however. That’s the reason some of the wisest professional photographers always make a point to have small makeup stashes. If you want your subjects to look cool and camera-ready, you need to purchase powder, concealer, lip gloss and perhaps even some eye makeup.
Props can often take band images to new levels. If you want to add visual interest to your band photographs, you need to look for some unforgettable props you can keep around at all times. You may have a beautiful and mesmerizing rock or shell that deserves documentation. You may have a cool and interesting book that can give any photograph a little extra character. If you want your band images to be particularly remarkable, the assistance of a few props can be wonderful. Remember, props don’t have to be big. You can easily throw a lovely rock inside of your photography backpack. A little stone won’t weigh you down any time you’re running after energetic musicians for hours and hours on end.
There are many things professional photographers need to order to get the results they want. A great lens can do so much. A great camera in general can do a world of good for passionate photographers. The most important ingredient, however, is something you can’t ever see or hold in your hands. That ingredient is creativity. If you combine creativity with zeal and enthusiasm, you essentially become an unstoppable force in the photography universe. Be true to who you are. Think about your identity as a photographer. Think about how you want to portray the musicians you’re working with, too. These considerations can be immensely helpful to photographers who want to soar. They can lead to band photography that’s a cut above the rest.