7 Tips for an Epic Musician Profile Pic
It's no secret that having a great profile pic is important for online dating, job hunting, and just about anything else you might want to do online. But what makes a good musician profile picture? Just like the rest of life, there is no one-size-fits-all answer - but there are certain tips that will make you stand out from the crowd and help you connect with potential fans.
In this guide, we'll explore seven tips for taking any musician or band's profile pictures to the next level.
1. Define Your Band Brand
God that’s fun to say… but just like any other business, every band is actually a brand. Your profile picture is your chance to make a good first impression and start building that relationship with potential fans.
What is a brand and why does your band need one?
A brand is your identity - it's what makes you different from other musicians or bands. Whether you like it or not - you already have a brand. It's incredibly important because it's the foundation of your marketing.
Everything you do as a band - from your social media posts to the merchandise you sell - should reflect your brand. Having a strong brand will make it easier to connect with fans and stand out from the competition.
Your band's brand should be reflected in your profile picture - between Tik Tok, YouTube, Reddit, and of course SongMe, many times it's the first thing people will see about you.
How to define your band's brand?
There are many ways to go about creating a brand, but these core questions are present in all of them:
Who are you making music for?
What kind of music do you make?
How do you want people to feel when they listen to your music or see you live?
Where will your audience see your profile pictures?
Your answers to these questions will help you define your brand and start creating a profile picture that reflects it. Simplicity is an art with branding - don't over-engineer.
2. Establish a clear idea of what you want
When you go in for a job interview, you usually have a pretty good idea of what you should wear. You might even have an outfit picked out and ready to go. You probably even have some questions and answers rehearsed.
The same principle applies to photography shoots - know what you are looking for ahead of the shoot
Visualize with a mood board
A mood board is a collection of images that help to define the look and feel of a photo shoot. It can be helpful to create a mood board before your shoot so that you and the photographer have a clear idea of what you are looking for.
You can find inspiration for your mood board online or in magazines, or you can ask the photographer for ideas. Pinterest is perfect for this, but there are a few different angles you can take.
Write a brief
A creative brief is a document that outlines requirements and expectations for a photography project. It should include information like purpose, budget, location, the target audience, the desired outcome, and any other needs.
The brief is used to help ensure that everyone involved in the project - the photographer, the artist or the band - is on the same page.
3. Booking a professional photographer
This is non-negotiable - hire a professional. Seriously. They know how to best capture your personality and will be able to produce great shots that show off your talent. This goes right back into the brand identity.
Just like you, they are professional artists and will be able to help you choose the right poses and backgrounds for your profile.
How to find a photographer
1. Look for industry specific directories like photosesh.com or general local directories like bark.com - there are a zillion others. Read the reviews.
2. Social is a treasure trove for this, especially Instagram and Facebook - do a quick search here. Both platforms are amazing ways to find photographers who are active in your local music scene, and what their work looks like.
3. Ask friends or fellow musicians and artists. General and localized forums like Reddit can serve this function as well - just find your local subreddit and ask away.
Meet in person
Once you've found a few photographers whose work you like, it's time to meet with them in person to discuss your project. Don't skip this step - the vibe is critical.
4. Prepping for the photo shoot
From anticipating the activities of the day to what to wear - you need to go in with a clear picture of the end result.
What to expect at the photo shoot
Talk to your photographer in advance. Get on the same page and make sure you both know exactly what the day looks like. If you have specific ideas, make sure to share them ahead of time. Ask them straight up what the day looks like.
Dress the part
If you're a classical musician, you might want to dress more conservatively in a suit or dress. If you're in a polka band, you better be in lederhosen. Whatever you do, make sure your clothing choice is purposeful and aligns with the image you want to project - brand, brand, brand.
Don't forget to bring your mood board
Not mandatory, but it's a handy tool to keep you on track and make sure that you're getting the images that you want.
5. How to behave in front of the camera
I feel like a total parent saying this, but be yourself. Don’t try to put on a show or act out of character - the camera will see right through it.
It's crazy how much a photo can pull in attitude or mood - if you’re tense or nervous, it will show. Take a few deep breaths before you start; the more relaxed you are, the better your results will be. As the day goes by the anxiety will become a distant memory.
Accept that you'll make mistakes - that's often how some of the best shots come about. If you mess up, just laugh it off and keep going. Your fans will love you for your willingness to take risks and have a good time.
This won’t be the first time your photographer has had to work with someone that isn’t used to having a camera pointed at them.
6. Interacting with your photographer
The photographer is in charge, but you don't have to be silent. Especially if you met prior and made them aware of your vision for the photos and clearly explained your brand image.
A great photo shoot balances the photographer's vision and your vision. Here are a couple tips on how to work with them to get the best photos possible.
Take the time to listen
They are in charge of the shoot, and they have the experience and knowledge to get the best photos possible. That's why you hired them.
Ask for specific feedback during the photo shoot
You'll most likely see an unedited photo or two in real-time, ask the photographer for specific feedback. What do they think worked well? What would they do differently on the next shot?
7. Review and Select Your Winners
When you get photos back, it's important to take the time to properly review them. This means going through each photo and rating it on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being "needs improvement" and 5 being "perfect". Some criteria to evaluate on:
Aesthetic: How well does the photo fit with the "vibe" or overall aesthetic you're going for? Does it fit with your image?
Framing: Is the photo well-composed? Is the subject in focus and properly centered?
Angle: Does the photo show you at your best angle? Are you looking directly into the camera or is your head slightly tilted?
Lighting: Is the lighting flattering? Are there any shadows that make you look less than your best?
Once you've gone through all of your photos and rated them, drumroll, please... it's time to start selecting your favorites. Choose the ones that score the highest marks across all of the criteria - these are the photos that will help you make the best impression on potential fans.
The bottom line is that your profile picture is important. You want to make a great first impression and represent yourself or your band in the best way possible. Between knowing your brand, being prepared for the photo shoot, and knowing how to give and receive feedback with your photographer - done correctly, you will create an epic series of photos for your profile picture. And we can’t wait to see them on SongMe and throughout social channels.
ps. Drop a link to the worst or best profile picture you've used for your band and we’ll be sure to share our favorites.
