Press Shots for Musicians: Tips for Band Photos That Stand Out

Whether it’s live band photos, polished press shots, or eye-catching images for your social media, the right visuals are essential for showcasing your musicianship, style, and brand. Great artist and band photos don’t just grab attention; they tell your story and help you connect with your audience. 

In this blog we’ll guide you through the essentials of press shots, from finding the right music photographers and preparing for a shoot, to using press shots effectively in your EPK.

With tips from industry experts, you’ll learn how to make the most of your photoshoots and avoid common mistakes.  

Meet our industry guests: 

Ant May – A professional photographer who shoots for Planet Mosh. 

Lisa Billingham – Co-owner of Billibee Creative (with her husband, Rob) and an internationally published photographer for Midlands Metalheads. 

Martyn Turner – a professional photographer, who photographs rock bands: anything from small pub gigs to major festivals, working for promoters, bands and venues. 

Ivor Whitten – From Metal Planet Music and Happy Metal Geek. 

Katie Frost – Photo Editor of The Moshville Times. 

For more insights from experienced music industry professionals, apply to study at WaterBear. Our courses are delivered by some of the music industry’s most accomplished professionals, as well as hosting regular masterclasses with special guests.  

“A photoshoot is an important part of any band’s toolkit in promoting style of music, aura of musicianship, and sellability.” – Ivor 

Press shots are more than just photos of bands or artists, they’re a key part of your music brand. 

In Electronic Press Kits (EPKs), high-quality artist and band photos are vital for grabbing attention and setting the tone for interviews, reviews, and articles. Publications, both online and in print, rely on visually engaging photos for stories, ensuring their readers stay hooked. 

To be effective, photos you use should: 

1. Showcase Personality:

Reflect your image, style, and individual members. 

“A good photo is one that gives a sense of who the band are and what their music is about. Something with some character and individuality is more engaging with readers.” – Katie 

 2. Be Creative: 

Experiment with unique angles, striking settings, or dynamic poses to craft memorable and eye-catching images.  

 3. Highlight Your Energy:  

While live band photos might not be your primary press shots, they’re a valuable addition to your EPK and social media. Capturing your stage presence, musicianship, and connection with fans. Live photos can be a powerful tool to impress venues, bookers, and audiences alike. 

 4. Stay Consistent with Your Brand:  

Your press shots should align with your overall aesthetic, from your music and visuals to your logo and social media presence.

Consistency builds recognition and reinforces your identity in the saturated industry.

“Band photos are useful to give readers an idea of what the band are about and what sort of music they produce. For example, a Viking metal band might be dressed in clothes with Viking influence, whereas a sleaze rock band would have a very different aesthetic. It helps paint a picture of what the band are all about.” – Katie 

Effective music photography isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about communicating your message and creating a connection with your audience.

With thoughtful planning, and creativity, your photos can become a defining element of your success. 

For support with building your brand as an artist or band, our Music Industries Team at WaterBear have extensive experience and knowledge from across the music industry. Book an Open Day, or arrange a 1-1 to find out more. 

Today’s consumer tech is impressive. Smartphones can capture great images, and even professional footage has been shot on phones.

But when it comes to creating impactful press shots, the expertise of a skilled music photographer can make a huge difference. 

Starting out, you might rely on friends, but as your career grows, working with music photographers can elevate your visuals.

Avoid assuming that anyone with a camera is up to the task; artist and band photos require a specialised skill set that not all photographers have. 

If you’re on a budget, consider finding an amateur or aspiring music photographer through art schools, local photography clubs, or online groups. They might work for experience or exposure, but always credit their work and offer to cover expenses. 

Whether you choose an amateur or a pro, always review their portfolio. Look for experience in music photography and artist/band shoots specifically.  

“Any band should check out the portfolio of any photographer they may be considering to take their photos. And be prepared to pay. A band may be lucky to have a good photographer as a friend, but don’t rely on a friend who just happens to have a camera. Photos are used to help sell the band overall, so a standout set of photos is a massive boost.” – Ivor

“When thinking about getting photos done, the most important thing is to plan ahead. A good photographer is likely to be busy, so short-notice shoots aren’t always possible. Plan ahead and book it early.” – Ant 

Preparation is always key. Make sure to consider: 

• The purpose of the photos (press shots, album covers, promo materials). 

• The style and image you want to convey. 

• The type of shots you need (e.g., headshots, full-body or posed photos). 

Meeting with your music photographer beforehand is invaluable. This allows them to understand your band’s identity and expectations while letting you discuss specific needs, such as including space in photos for logos or text. 

“Have an idea of what you want to convey when first speaking to a photographer, so they know what you want to achieve as the end product.” – Katie 

When planning your shoot, think beyond clichés and look for ways to differentiate yourself. Lisa highlights the importance of breaking free from overdone concepts: 

“Bands need to make themselves stand out: look for something different that current bands are not doing.” – Lisa 

“Think about what you’re going to wear for the shoot: a consistent look is better than all turning up in random outfits.” – Ant 

“Avoid wearing T-shirts with other bands’ logos.” – Katie 

Planning a few outfit changes is a good idea – including a couple of stage outfits and perhaps a more everyday/casual outfit.

Instruments, vintage items, or creative accessories can enhance your photos and add a creative edge. 

“Turn up to the shoot on time! If the shoot is booked for a specific time and duration you need to be there on time, or the shoot may be reduced in duration.” – Ant 

By planning carefully, you can create visuals that leave a lasting impact.  

Top Tip – Creating a mood board will help to consolidate all your ideas, visually, in one place. A mood board is also a great way to search for inspiration for poses, settings, props, outfits and themes. Pinterest is perfect for this.

“A good band photo has to show the personality of the group and the individuals that make up the band. It is an art form in its own right.” – Ivor  

“Once a band is happy with a photographer, listen to the photographer and take their directions. Discuss beforehand what theme you are going to go with and stick to it”. – Ivor 

Creative input is all about collaboration. Let the photographer know if you have specific ideas but also be open to their expertise.

Communication is key. 

“Creative input, I suppose, is all down to me: to get a good shot I have to make the best of the situation. If they want something specific, they need to let me know.” – Martyn 

“We would expect a band to have a good idea of what they want to achieve from a shoot. We are available to advise from the get-go, if required. Most bands know what they want; we help them achieve that.” – Lisa 

Agree on expectations upfront – how many photos you’ll get, the editing, and the timeline for delivery. 

“Agree the deliverables: what the photographer is expected to provide (e.g. how many finished photos of the band and/or individual members) and when they need to provide it. Be realistic – if you want lots of editing then that takes longer than shoots where only minimal editing is needed.” – Ant 

Press shots are powerful if you know how to use them.  

Beyond just looking great, your photos should be strategic tools that showcase your music identity, capture attention, and help you connect with fans, press, and industry professionals. 

“In relation to EPK images, it is useful to have up to 5 band images; any more is overkill. Make sure they are all different and if that means combining live gig images with location and studio then so be it. It’s not a case of trying to rip a band off with all the options, we are here to help!” – Lisa 

The right mix of images can help showcase your range. Including a mix of live band photos and press shots can highlight your personality and versatility. Work with skilled music photographers to create a collection of high-quality photos that align with your identity. 

Different platforms and publications have specific requirements for photo dimensions, so it’s important to adjust your press shots and live band photos accordingly. 

• Social media: Vertical formats generally perform best, taking up more screen space. Feed posts are typically 4:5 (portrait), square posts are 1:1, and Stories/Reels/TikTok use 9:16. Instagram profile grids now display feed posts in a 3:4 rectangle, so cropping with this in mind ensures your visuals appear as intended on both feeds and grids. 

• Websites and blogs: Landscape-oriented images around 16:9 (e.g., 1920 × 1080 px) fit hero banners and most blog layouts. 

• Print materials: Use high-resolution images (at least 300 dpi) with extra space for cropping or overlays, ideal for album covers, posters, and press articles. 

When sending your press shots to media platforms, always provide high-quality versions via downloadable links rather than attaching large files to emails.  

Use platforms like Google Drive or Dropbox to make the process smooth for recipients. This ensures they receive full-quality images without cluttering their inbox. 

Don’t forget to include photo credits and avoid cropping out watermarks or logos when sharing online. Proper credit maintains good relationships with music industry photographers and reflects professionalism. 

“When images are provided, please do not crop off the photographer’s logo and then post the image with no credit to the photographer. It has been given metadata for a reason so please respect that.” – Lisa 

In the music industry, high-quality press shots and band photos are essential for connecting with your audience and standing out from the crowd.  

Photography and music work hand in hand to define your identity, convey your style, and promote your music.  

By carefully selecting your press shots and collaborating with knowledgeable music photographers, you can craft a visual story that resonates with fans and builds a memorable brand. 

To make the most of your photoshoots, keep these tips in mind: 

• Visual imagery matters: In today’s digital age, your photos aren’t just snapshots, they’re a key part of your overall marketing strategy. 

• Plan ahead: Consider the purpose of your photos and where they’ll be used – EPKs, album covers, press materials, or social media content. 

• Choose the right photographer: Work with someone knowledgeable in music photography to bring your vision to life.

• Communicate clearly: Share your goals, ideas, and creative input, while staying open to the photographer’s guidance for the best results. 

• Be professional: Arrive on time, respect the photographer’s schedule, and treat the photoshoot as a key part of your music career. 

• Use your photos effectively: Share high-quality images, credit the photographer properly, and ensure your press shots align with your brand. 

With the right press shots and live band photos, you’ll not only strengthen your brand but also make a lasting impression on fans, media, and industry professionals alike. 

Ready to take your music career to the next level? Explore our courses, delivered in Brighton, Sheffield and Online. Or order a Prospectus to learn more about how WaterBear can support you with developing a sustainable career within the music industry.