A Professional DJ Press Shot Can Change Your DJ Career.

Music is primarily consumed online, through the internet and the internet is a mainly visual medium. Your image will come before your sound and this is why it's essential that you are in control of your visual identity. As a budding DJ or producer you should master control of your own personal brand and use it to your advantage. It all starts with a great DJ press shot.

What is a DJ press shot?

A DJ press shot is a portrait photograph of yourself that represents your style and your ideas. In a world where your fans can be on the other side of the globe it helps build bridges if you show your real self rather than hide behind a static logo. People connect and respond more to images of people than they do to graphics and branded logos. If you want to build a relationship with your fans this is the first step. Of course, a face is also more memorable and so your photo will help you stand out from the crowd. Your photo is like your business card and the right look will open doors.

How do you get a DJ photo?

First you need to have an idea, a style or a look. Research other DJs and artists and find inspirations, magazines often help. Try looking at Dazed & Confused, iD or Mixmag. Once you have an idea of how you'd like to look you should find a professional photographer who works with musicians. Avoid going for standard photographers who shoot things like weddings because they won't be able to create and original look for you. We recommend our in-house photographer Thomas Hensher who shoots for all the best DJs in London. LSA students also get a discount with him. visit his website www.thomashensher.com or email thomashensher@gmail.com.

When you go to your shoot make sure you have a few different outfits and poses ready for the photographer to work with. You might be able to get a few photos from one shoot if you come prepared, this will save you money and time in the long run. Magazines who might be writing about you would like to have a choice of photos, some colour, some black and white, some portrait some landscape etc. Try and build up a collection of images to offer them.

Once you have your photo what next?

Once you have your photos you should put them into your own DJ press pack. A press pack is a folder containing your press photos, DJ biography (click here to learn how to write one) and any flyers and other press-worthy items. This press pack is normally hosted digitally online, dropbox is a good way of sharing it. You will need to send it to all the promoters booking you and send it alongside any press releases. Try and reach out to blogs, journalists and magazines with a story to get their attention, perhaps you're hosting a charity event or something of note worth writing about. The better your press image the more likely they will allow you to grace their pages!

To book a photo shoot either contact thomashensher@gmail.com direct or contact us and we will introduce you

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