Maximizing Your Music Career: Essential Tips for Successful Press Photos (Plus: What NOT To Do)

Hi! My name is Rachel Hurley, and I am a 30-year veteran of the music business. I currently own a boutique music publicity firm, Sweetheart Pub, where I work with up-and-coming Americana, Folk, and Country artists. For more info about me and what I do, please visit http://sweetheartpr.com.

If you are seeking a career as a musician, you should undoubtedly have professional photos. If you want to get heard, they happen to be almost as important as the music itself.

Your promotional photos could be the first encounter a potential critic or new fan has with you. You want to be certain that these images will draw them in to listen / investigate further. Some artists’ press photos outshine and project a level of taste far superior to their music. Others do not communicate the artists brand musically or intellectually. If you’re going to miss the mark, you want to be in the first category.

We all know that a picture is worth a thousand words — but it could also be worth a thousand streams.

Ideally, you should consider hiring a professional photographer to take these photographs. Set aside at least a day for the actual shoot so nothing is rushed. Get in touch with the photographer well in advance, and have a plan / be open to discussing the concept with the photographer. Treat it like you would pre-production on a record; the more time you put in up front, the easier things will be when photo day rolls around.