Band photo do’s and don’ts

There’s a band in every town hoping to make it to the big city -- or at least the next gig -- and for newcomers and outsiders, image is everything. From the alternative weekly Portland Mercury (www.portlandmercury.com) come these hints, compiled by writer Julianne Shepherd, for dressing up that ticket into the industry, the band photo:

* “Pay attention to band photo cliches. Are you standing in front of a brick wall, sporting an ironic T-shirt and/or leather pants, lined up in a row, aiming your eyes disaffectedly to the sky, wearing lots of mousse? So is everyone else in the universe. Resist the urge!

* “Don’t look bored or angry -- unless you think being in your band is boring or annoying, in which case, go nuts.

* “Get arty! Get interesting! Get creative! This is exciting! But make sure your photo is in focus! ‘Cause unfocused images are not arty! They’re just out of focus!

* “If you’re an all-boy band, make sure you put a lot of hot chicks in your photo that have nothing to do with your band. It will really add an air of legitimacy to your work. Really.”