Hateful Chains

Band Photography

Yeesss... Time to make a post about this event!

We needed band photos for future promotional purposes and it turned out that our drummer knew just the right guy. The had worked together before doing videos and promotional photos for the drummer's other bands. I looked him up and liked his work. Next step was contacting him of course and negotiate. There were other photographers I considered as well, but he came up with the most reasonable price and solutions, considering the low budget of a starting band.

After settling on a date that suited everyone we searched for locations. The drummer, again, had quite a few in mind. Everything would depend, of course, on what I wanted the final pictures to look like. I was uncomfortable with the idea of the classic heavy/metal band picture, heavily photo shopped and altered, angry guys posing and looking so damn tough. Also, I didn't like the idea of going to the woods, since (black) metal bands usually get lost there. (We could have managed since we are not a black metal band.)

I had two ideas in mind: One direction would be highly visual, like me in a flashy or outright outrageous outfit sitting on a throne with my faithful band members around me. Like a classic Goth-queen on her throne. But in a dark, filthy, industrial environment. It would require some prepping but would be possible. But then again, it might be a kind of picture that has been used over and over.

The other direction, which we finally took, was more natural. I wanted the pictures to be good photography with minimal alterations. I also wanted to communicate a dark atmosphere without using all those goth- cliches I love so much. I really do. Like grave yards and skulls and vampires. Still, those fun things don't necessarily communicate what I'm trying to say with this music and this band. One other reason, I feel uncomfortable forcing other people into my visual mold. I think the band's final visual image stems from individual members and their styles. There was the possibility that nobody else would show up in black except for me. So, the way to go was good old-fashioned black and white photography.

Our time was limited to one evening, so more than two locations were out of question. One option was an old soda factory. There were several spooky rooms and dark corners in there, said the drummer. I also asked around from an old brandy-factory, which had been restored and was now used as a cultural center. We had the opportunity to go there for free, but it turned out that the schedule for that day was just too tight to arrange everything in both locations. So in the end, the soda factory was our final location.

We used spotlights and available lights from the factory to create the dark mood. I decided to go without make-up but still do my hair. Never quite got that Robert Smith result, but it turned out ok. Outfit of the day was an indie-styled maxi-dress and jewelry. The place was rusty and industrial, with cool gadgets and weird rooms for soda production and storing. The corridor floors were covered in rusty water, the dark halls and rooms with bird shit and some other unnamed filth. There was also a cool cave in a remote alley. I could have got lost there, easily. In fact me and the bassist got lost one or two times!

We took group photos in on at least five different locations and individuals as well. The more we took, the more ideas the photographer himself had, and after the initial tension had melted away we had a great time. The results were very nice, amazing indeed! Here are some of the pictures: