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Artists & Bands

Band Press Photos & EPKs: What You Actually Need

Bookers and blogs usually see your photo before they hear your music. So it should look like you sound, and it should work everywhere you need it. Here's what we shoot for every band.

Five-piece rock band press photo on a white backdrop, drummer holding sticks overhead — Look Gross Studio, Signal Hill Long Beach
Guitarist in a checkered knit polo holding a cream electric guitar on a saturated blue backdrop — Look Gross Studio, Long Beach
Punk duo press shot in leather and black on a red backdrop, snarling at the camera — Look Gross Studio, Long Beach
Full band, solo artist, and duo press shots  ·  Signal Hill studio

The shot list

You don't need one perfect photo. You need a handful that cover every place your photo ends up: your website, press features, Spotify, flyers, and Instagram. Here's what we make sure you leave with:

  • A horizontal group shot. This is the one editors grab first.
  • A vertical group shot. For posters and stories.
  • One with empty space. So a promoter can drop a show date on it without covering anyone's face.
  • A tight shot. Still reads as a tiny profile picture.
  • Solo portraits of each member. For interviews and “meet the band” posts.

Look like you sound

Nobody should have to read your bio to know if you're a folk duo or a metal band. Backdrop color, lighting, and wardrobe do that for you.

Relaxed four-piece band portrait on a light grey backdrop, members leaning into each other — Look Gross Studio, Long Beach Artist portrait with hands in his hair on a warm orange backdrop, someone off-frame pulling his tie — Look Gross Studio, Signal Hill Solo artist in a black corset and fishnets on a cool blue backdrop, motion-blurred head turn — Look Gross Studio, Long Beach
Easygoing  ·  Theatrical  ·  Moody

Send us a couple of songs and a few photos you love before the shoot. We'll match the look to your sound. We always get a clean, simple version first, then we have fun with it.

Shooting a whole band

Getting five people to look good in the same frame is the hard part. Misty handles that. She arranges everyone so nobody's hiding in the back, and she keeps things loose so it doesn't feel stiff. Every shot shows up on a big screen as we go, so the whole band can catch blinks and pick favorites right there.

Seated musician portrait in a bleached denim jacket and orange-tinted glasses on a grey backdrop — Look Gross Studio, Long Beach Musician in a beret and striped dress at an upright piano, glancing back over her shoulder — on-location artist portrait by Look Gross Studio
Solo portraits, in the studio or on location

We shoot live shows too. Press photos are what you lead with, but live photos show you can hold a room.

Singer mid-song under blue and purple stage lights, one arm raised, guitar in frame — live concert photography by Look Gross Studio

Before you come in

  • Time: solo artists usually need an hour. Full bands, two.
  • Wardrobe: don't match. Pick two or three colors and let everyone wear their own take on it.
  • Gear: bring your instruments if they're part of your look. We'll shoot with and without.
  • Content: add a BTS reel for $100 and you'll get an edited 30-second video for Instagram or TikTok.

What it costs

PackageTimeBest forPrice
The Session1 hourSolo artists and duos$400
The Full Treatment2 hoursFull bands$650

Both include a full edited gallery, usually ready in about a week. Retouching is $15 a photo. A 50% deposit holds your date. For EPK packages or live shows, send us a message and we'll put a quote together.

FAQ

$400 for one hour or $650 for two, with a full edited gallery. Solo artists usually book one hour and bands usually book two. Retouching is $15 a photo.

A horizontal and a vertical group shot, one with empty space for text, a tight shot for profile pictures, and solo portraits of each member. A few live photos are a bonus.

Skip matching outfits. Pick two or three colors and let everyone wear their own version. Avoid big logos unless they're yours.

Yes. Send us the date and venue and we'll talk it through.

Nani and Misty Gross, the photographers behind Look Gross Studio in Signal Hill, Long Beach
Written by Look Gross Studio

Look Gross Studio is Nani and Misty Gross, a two-person photography studio in Signal Hill, Long Beach, CA. Nani shoots, Misty directs posing and coaching. See our artist work →

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