Musicians today live in a world of Digital Downloads and Streaming Services, Social Media and Content Creation*. That means that now more than ever, imagery is one of the best tools available for standing out in a crowded marketplace and reaching a global audience for your music!
I come from a musical family, so I absolutely love photographing musicians and supporting local music. That’s why I was so excited when Katelyn Doyle thought of me when she was needing some professional photos done for her artistry. Katelyn and I originally met when I was photographing Rock on Water 2018 (you can see those photos here and here), and we have stayed in touch on social media ever since.
The first and most important step in planning Katelyn’s session was our consultation, during which I spent some time getting to know Katelyn better and listening to her music. We talked a bit about her mission, and her vision for the photos she wanted to portray on social media and the cover art for her upcoming CD. I then created a Pinterest board where we could share ideas and create the concept for her photo session.
Katelyn plays both piano and guitar, and she is a very talented songwriter, so she wanted images that would showcase each of these facets of her as a musician. Once I began to see a theme emerging in Katelyn’s pins, I told her that Mellwood Art Center in Louisville, Kentucky would be the perfect location for her session. She agreed wholeheartedly, and we went about setting the date so that I could obtain the necessary photography permit and she could book an appointment with her preferred hair stylist. Professional hair and makeup is a great way to boost your confidence and ensure you look your best for your photography session!
Mellwood Art Center stood out as the perfect location for Katelyn because of the colorful murals and the urban vibe that matched the mood of the images she had pinned on Pinterest. I also wanted a location where we could take shelter if needed, since Katelyn’s session took place in early December and the weather can be quite unpredictable in Louisville! Mellwood offers many indoor options in addition to their outdoor public spaces, and as a plus, I called ahead and found out they have a piano in the Pigment Gallery and that the room would be open the evening of Katelyn’s session so we could use it to take some photos.
I asked Katelyn, “If I could capture the perfect photo for you, what would that look like?” and she replied, “Black and white with lights behind me or a really cool headshot.” Imagine how surprised and delighted we were when we showed up at the Pigment Gallery the night of Katelyn’s session, and the floor was covered with these twinkling lights! The staff at Mellwood Art Center had just pulled their Christmas lights out of storage so that they could start decorating for the season. We were able to create THE perfect photo - several in fact! - for Katelyn based on her original vision!
We took many photos that evening, and Katelyn had so much fun that she scheduled a second session later that week to capture some daytime images in her hometown of New Albany, Indiana. We met up at Coffee Crossings, took some photos on E. Market Street and the alley next to True North Coffee House, and finished up her session outside The Grand.
The Grand is a historic vaudeville and movie theater first built in 1909 and renovated following the 1937 flood. The last movie shown inside the theater was in 1975, and today The Grand is known as one of the area’s premiere venues for Weddings, Receptions, Social Events, Corporate Events & Galas.
I would say we had a “grand” time together and we created some “grand” images that Katelyn has since been able to use on social media to promote her music and her brand! You can follow the artist Katelyn Doyle and pick up her music at the following places:
Apple Music/iTunes - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/katelyn-doyle/1523181468
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/2ofCGHMj6TOtU8uXpzZl9O
Are you a musician? It doesn’t matter if you are a solo artist or in a band, booking locally or touring nationally, you need excellent imagery to represent yourself! Jill Nissen, the owner of The Proof Photography, has worked with all types of musicians, including singers, songwriters, guitar players, drummers, and pianists, from professional performers to music educators and their students. As a proud member of the PPA (Professional Photographers of America), Jill is dedicated to excellence not only in photography, but also in exceeding customer expectations. Whether you are looking for a headshot photo session or a full conceptualized shoot for your next CD cover and merch table, contact Jill for more information and a free consultation!
*Here are three articles that offer some excellent social media tips for musicians:
https://diymusician.cdbaby.com/music-promotion/how-musicians-should-use-social-media-in-2022/
https://www.dk-mba.com/blog/social-media-for-musicians
https://sproutsocial.com/insights/social-media-for-musicians/
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