Promotional DJ Photos: The Importance of DJ Photo Shoots

Many new DJs overlook the importance and power of having a range of promotional DJ photos. An eye-catching DJ photo can change the trajectory of a DJ career and help establish a new artist in the public eye. It's no secret the DJ industry is competitive, so standing out from the crowd is crucial for success. All DJs should dedicate time and marketing budget for regular DJ photoshoots and create effective images to be used on social media, by promoters and the press.

In today's digital world, your online image is often the first point of contact for new fans. The good news is that you can carefully manage your online persona and image by showcasing a range of professional DJ photos. These photos play a significant role in your marketing strategy and branding, impacting your DJ career in many ways.

A diverse range of images will allow you to keep your fans updated and provide essential content for your various social media profiles. Promo photos can also act as artwork for releases and flyers. Many event promoters will request that you send them a press image, and ideally, one that has not been over-used. If you have specific imagery for bigger gigs it will help you keep promoters on your side.

Are you looking for a DJ photoshoot? Click here for more examples of DJ photos

DJ press photos can be sent to music journalists, bloggers and magazine editors. If you're sending press releases for a DJ gig, tour, music release or other news announcement it's essential to include a DJ photo. Here are some of the reasons why having multiple professional DJ photos can help:

Get Attention & Engagement

Primarily, your DJ photos should aim to create hype and attention. A striking and attention-grabbing image will increase engagement and help you go viral. Many DJs and musicians will go beyond the normal portrait and create something more artistic and creative. Embrace the weird and wonderful and think outside of the box.

There are many ways a DJ can present themselves. Some wear interesting costumes and helmets, Daft Punk for example. Others will have striking fashion-orientated looks, signature items like glasses and hats or simply a whacky haircut. Ask yourself, is there an aspect of your own image you can accentuate or evolve into something iconic that can be associated with your identity?

We recommend stockpiling a variety of photos including live performance shots, candid behind-the-scenes photos, and stylised portraits.

‍

Communicate Your Professionalism

The quality of your DJ photos directly reflects your perceived professionalism and credibility. When fans and music industry professionals see high-quality and creative photography they will associate that with someone who is established and artistic. In short, someone who has their sh*t together. Make sure you set yourself apart from other DJs who haven't invested in their visual branding.

Using low-quality, badly lit or ill-conceived photos will have a very negative effect on fans' perception of you. You could dampen your DJ career before it has begun using bad photography.

‍

Branding and Alignment

A picture speaks a thousand words is certainly true for DJ photos. The creative direction of your DJ photos can directly link you with a scene, genre of music or style of DJing. Many DJs will leverage their creative images to align them with other artists in a particular scene or easily communicate what their style of DJing is.

Your image can translate your whole direction in the blink of an eye compared to paragraphs of text. Consider how your image should place you within the context of your scene and your marketing goals.

DJ Photos For Promoters

Promoters and DJ bookers will need DJ photos they can use to promote your DJ performance. They need high-resolution images that they can easily cut out. Their graphic designers will only work with professional imagery. If you don't have any they simply won't include you in this type of artwork and the attention will go to other acts.

DJs need to have a range of images, including portrait and landscape. Within these images you should have both light and dark background options. Your body position is also important so make sure that you have variations of each image with your face pointing forward to the camera or off to each side. The key is to cover all angles, literally!

Remember, if your imagery is outstanding and attention-grabbing any promoter would be proud to use it. Promoters will boost the exposure of their best artwork, so make sure you're in the limelight by having the best DJ photos.

‍

Courting Press and Media Coverage

Big players in the DJ and music industry won't take you seriously if you don't have decent imagery. Serious DJs who are actively progressing in the industry will know that an extensive range of images is vital to attract attention from bookers, journalists and DJ agencies.

If you're pitching to a DJ magazine or DJ blog they will often expect you to have a range of attractive DJ photos exclusively for them. They will use these images to accompany their articles, posts and interviews. Make sure that you have a range of images for them to choose from and the shape of the photos can be worked in various editorial layouts, namely portrait or landscape.

They won't be interested in covering a DJ who has been rinsing the same old DJ photo for ten years. It's expected that as a working DJ, you invest in regular DJ photoshoots.

Feed Your Fans

Sharing DJ photos and video content is one of the essential ways to feed your fans and drive engagement. More fans equals more gigs. Try to drip-feed professional images to your fans regularly to keep them hooked. They'll stay glued to their device waiting for your next drop.

Important Considerations For Your DJ Photoshoots

Now you know the importance of DJ photos it's time to book your next photoshoot! Here are some of the key considerations you need to address:

Research & Communication

Your photographer will ask you what kind of photos you want. This is where your research should come in. Before the shoot make sure you've brainstormed some ideas for the overall look of your photos and what you're aiming for. Look at magazines, online blogs, flyers and other DJs promotional materials. You can save the most inspirational images and create a mood board (a collection of reference images). Show your photographer your mood board to help them plan for your shoot.

You need to think about your poses, what you're going to wear, the lighting, the format (portrait or landscape, full body or crop) etc.

Come Prepared

Practice posing. Using the images from your mood board, practice different poses in the mirror and come up with a few of your own. Take selfies on a timer to remind you of what poses you want to use in your photoshoot. You might want to incorporate props or specific fashion looks. It's a good idea to prepare a variety of interesting looks and outfits for the photographer.

Try something eye-catching that aligns with your brand for best results. Embrace the extravagant, weird and artistic side of yourself.

Express Yourself

Don't expect the photographer to tell you how to pose. At the shoot itself, don't be shy. No one is judging you, especially not a photographer whose job it is to take pictures of hundreds of people. If you're stiff in front of the camera you risk wasting your shoot. Shed off the insecurities and have fun at your shoot and be overly animated for best results! Perhaps prepare a music playlist you like to get you in the mood.

Variety

Ask your photographer to take a range of images. You need a variety of poses in both landscape and portrait. Some images might be close-up and others full-body. Remember, you will need some plain images taken against a white background for graphic designers to cut you out for flyers. You also want creative images, moody images, colour, black and white and anything else your photographer can create. You can even consider doing shoots outside of the studio.

Conclusion

One of the best investments a DJ can make is by booking regular DJ photoshoots with a professional photographer. If you want to build an impressionable and memorable brand find a talented DJ photographer who can help you create an image concept.

Your photos will not only enhance your media coverage but will also boost your social media engagement and reach. You can increase your ability to connect with larger audiences and link up with new fans using eye-catching DJ photos.

To get started, find a local DJ photographer with a track record of producing exceptional photos. Someone who can not only take high-quality images but who can help you create a style. Once you've found the right photographer you should work together to build a diverse portfolio of compelling promotional photos. Schedule regular shoots at least every quarter.

‍