#1 rule in band photos: Do not use train tracks, chainlink fence or a brick wall as the background. Probably the 3 most overused scenarios and inevitably, they will cheesy.

I've always had great luck taking pictures at Vincents in the daytime, whether it was out back next to the old rusting VW years ago (now gone), or sitting on the porch of the shack, or more recently just lined up against the pictures in the bar. I'll go on record as saying that that's the #1 place in Worcester to do band photos. To give you an idea, here are two fairly recent ones we did (sorry, they're kind of big):

photo 1

photo 2

Maybe you could do a photo shoot with the turtle boy statue? You could show some woosta pride on your cover!

Paul Westerberg once said that any photographer that wants to take you outside for photos, probably just has some scenery he wants to shoot.

He says to keep it indoors and/or focused on the band members.

The cheesiness will depend on you and the camera, not the chosen backdrop. If you appear to be trying too hard, it will be cheesy. If you are you, hopefully your earnestness will translate.

This is one of my favorite band photos, brick wall and all:
http://www.jl.sl.btinternet.co.uk/stampsite/cricket/ladstolords/AllmanBrothersBandAtFillmoreEast.jpg

Maybe he just meant promo shots, not albums. Who knows? Do any Replacements covers feature landscapes and beautiful vistas? I can only remember the lo-tech halftone of "Sorry Ma, I forgot to Take out the Trash."

Maybe this is a good place for a thread about favorite album covers.

There is no better dramatic depth of field than taking a photo outside, cannot be replicated indoors

The photo shoot went very well and was really fun. There are shots from all around the inside of Vincent's -- at the bar, at the tables, inside the photo booth, by the front windows. We also had photos done on the porch of the shack and in front of the mural under the tent.

I was able to preview the shots on the computer right after they were taken. But, it's going to be about a week before the photographer sends them to me. I will definitely post some here as soon as I get them.

Vincent's dad was there. Annie was behind the bar. And, a number of regulars were sitting at the bar. Everyone was so nice, and it seemed like it was fun for them to watch the whole process, too.

Thanks for the great suggestion, Tintern! And, thanks to Vincent's for allowing us to do the shoot there.

Holly

love the last one

I like the last one the best, too.

It's exactly what I wanted: a quirky scene, we're busy doing something -- not posing.

The color in that one is really nice, too.

Hand raised.

Hand raised.