Behind the Lens: In the Studio with Blood Stained Reputation
- Feb 6, 2023
- 4 min read
Happy February! It’s a new month and a new blog on the ‘Behind the Lens’ series. This week, I am sharing how I created the promotional images for local Doncaster band, Blood Stained Reputation. There were lots of ‘firsts’ in this photoshoot; my first studio shoot with a client, my first time working with a band, my first time using gels with a client and my first time photographing several people at once. With so many new things to learn, I went into this shoot with lots of preparation and planning. I will break down this process with you today, so you can get an insight into how I navigate big projects like promotional work.
If you are reading this and are a musician yourself, why not get booked in for your own photoshoot!
The Brainstorming Stage
After the initial contact, I communicated with all members of the band to get a clear idea of their vision and their needs for the shoot. As this was their first time having a professional photoshoot, I made sure to ask questions to get to know them, their style and their band before even beginning to think about the actual shoot. Building an initial relationship is so important as it builds trust, which then allows them to feel more comfortable when the photoshoot takes place.
During the brainstorming stage, I asked if they had any preferences in terms of background and if they had any brand colours they wanted to incorporate, as I knew the University studio had a range of gels to work with. We agreed on a black background with purple and green gels, as well as some shots without the gels so there was a variety. The main focus for the shoot was group shots of the band, as the images would primarily be promotional material, but we also agreed to set time aside to get headshots of each member for social media platforms. The main reason I recommend individual headshots as well as group shots is to ensure the member’s individual social pages look cohesive, which is important if you have a big release coming up.
The Planning Stage
During the planning stage, I researched lighting techniques for group images to ensure each member would be evenly lit. I noted down some posing prompts to curate a shot list, which I think is extremely useful to do. Not only do shot lists enable you to capture everything your client has asked for, but they also help in those moments when your mind goes blank mid direction. They make the perfect reference point to go back to for inspiration and to ensure you’re hitting the brief. Alongside these posing prompts, I collected a few images from online to use as inspiration and again, for a reference so I can see what I am aiming to achieve.
After conducting this research, I compiled it into what is often called a ‘Call Sheet’ in the industry. A call sheet is essentially one document that is sent out to everyone involved in the shoot (in this case I sent the sheet over to my lovely friend who assisted me with the shoot) which contains everything they need to know about the shoot day, from time and location, to the props and special effects if applicable. They are really useful to use on long shoots to ensure everyone is on the same page and knows exactly how the day will progress in advance of the actual shooting day.
Shoot Day!
The first thing I always do on shoot day is introduce myself and my assistant properly and ensure I know everyone’s names (and learn how to pronounce them correctly if applicable). It’s always awkward if you suddenly forget a name or can’t put a name to a face when your client arrives! So I take a few minutes to get names and have a quick chat before the shoot begins, so everyone feels a bit more comfortable in each other’s presence. Photoshoots can be nerve wracking for both parties, so I think it’s always helpful to break the ice a little bit.
One thing that worked really well for this shoot, was to start off with the group images and I have been doing this ever since. Starting with the group shots allows all the participants to feel more relaxed as they are with their peers, and are more likely to feel less awkward than if I were to start with them individually. I also like to take a few ‘test shots’ in the beginning. These shots allow me to quickly adjust exposure settings and often, they end up being used in the final gallery. This is because the client feels less pressure, knowing they are ‘tests’, so are usually more relaxed in front of the camera.
When it came to shooting the individual headshots, I made sure to hype each member up when they needed it and encouraged their peers to do the same. If they had any ideas, I encouraged them to voice their ideas and we could try them. This made the whole process feel extremely collaborative, which is exactly what I aim for in my shoots. I love when clients get involved and suggest ideas! On the other hand, it’s also incredibly important to make it known to your client that they can say no to a posing prompt if they don’t feel comfortable with it.
Final Shots
Here are some of the final results! I love the variety we were able to capture between the gels and standard lighting, which makes the images really versatile. Each member’s headshots really reflect their personalities and there is a cohesiveness across the gallery to allow the band to use the images as they wish. Since the photoshoot, Blood Stained Reputation has grown from strength to strength. They’ve released an EP, designed new merch and booked numerous gigs. They even booked me again to shoot a local gig!
I would like to say a huge thank you to Blood Stained Reputation for trusting me with their first professional photoshoot. It was an absolute pleasure to work with you all and I am so proud of everything you continue to achieve. This photoshoot really proves the importance of getting to know your clients as people before customers, and the difference professional, promotional imagery can make to your brand.
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