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Out of all the things I do, music photography is hands down the hardest. And for me, the most rewarding. Shooting live, you have two primary challenges: fighting wretched lighting conditions, and trying not to get kicked in the head or knocked over...at least not hard enough to damage the camera. But the energy of a great band and a really rowdy crowd blows even the most meticulously produced album out of the water. There just isn't any comparison. I've been hit, kicked, stage dived on, spit on, bled on, dowsed in beer and had my ass knocked to the ground more times than I count. But it was worth every hit. Because you can't really capture that raw energy unless you're right in it. Posed shots are tough in another way. You have to take a band, usually a bunch of guys, who aren't really comfortable in front of the camera and make them look good. All of them. At once. This is where it's important to get an experienced photographer. Someone who knows not only how to light a group portrait, but how to arrange bands, get them to relax and bring out their personalities. And keep an eye on multiple subjects at once. It ain't easy. I see many bands who have their friends shoot their photos and I understand that DIY philosophy. It is about the music, first and foremost. But, if you are a band looking to land a record deal, it takes more than good music, because you have to get that good music heard. Labels and A&R people get bombarded with demos and press kits. There is no way they can listen to them all. So who do you think they pull out of the submissions stack to listen to? A band with blurry, poor quality photos, or the band that shows they take themselves seriously with a slick, professional presentation? When you invest in professional photos, you are investing in a vital commodity for your band's success.
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