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Kameron Messmer Special user Billings, MT 742 Posts |
So, following the advice I've received here, I am going to get some professional promo pics done. I've done some looking at magician promo pics and a lot of them are either the same looking (fire books, card fans etc) or just cheesy.
What are some of the better ones you've seen? |
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James Munton Inner circle Dallas, TX 1199 Posts |
What's wrong with a fire book? LOL.
But seriously, the photo should reflect you and your show. If you are dark and broody, then that is the kind of shot you want. If you are fun and family, all you need is a big friendly smile. Best, James |
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Kameron Messmer Special user Billings, MT 742 Posts |
LOL... James, your fire book pic is ANYTHING but normal... like you said it fits your style. Plus I didn't say it was bad (i have some card fan photos... and I don't have a fire book, but I have fire pics...
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Daniel Ulzen Elite user Berlin/Germany 490 Posts |
Airborne Coke ia a good trick for a photo!
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Scott Burton Inner circle 1131 Posts |
My personal opinion is that you should not pose with your props. You are the star of the show - not your props. Search on-line for "actor headshots" and see how these can highlight your personality.
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Kameron Messmer Special user Billings, MT 742 Posts |
Scott: I thought about that, I am actually getting a normal head shot as well. I'll use different shots depending on where the photo is (talent site, poster etc). The other photos I'm getting is for my website and brochures etc. Should all my photos simply be of me? Some of my stuff is kinda my signature (fire eating, etc) I would think that it would help show my personality and style if I included things like this. What do you think?
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Benji Bruce Special user 930 Posts |
The best photos show you in front of an audience. Having a headshot is useful but most of your photos should be of you performing in front of an audience because it shows the results you produce
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RobertSmith Veteran user 330 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-05-24 13:38, Kameron Messmer wrote: Try doing them without magic props. |
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Scott Burton Inner circle 1131 Posts |
Quote: \
On 2011-05-24 15:36, Kameron Messmer wrote: Remember that you are not "simply" you - you are THE STAR! Read that statement over and over. This is a critical difference. Fill the photo with your personality and charisma. If you don't think of yourself as the star of your show, then other's will not either. Think about what is being communicated when you decide that your presence alone is not significant enough and you must share the stage with a deck of cards. The above relates to promotional photos specifically. Action live performance shots of you doing your signature stuff is great too. Show what you do for the audience and the kind of zany experiences you provide. The problem comes when you pose with your fire stick or magic box in a studio setting (honestly, it usually looks pretty lame). |
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SpellbinderEntertainment Inner circle West Coast 3519 Posts |
The truth is: you cannot photograph magic.
--You can photograph the moment before the magic happens. --Or you can photograph the moment after the magic has occurred. --But, you just can’t get a “magical moment” on film! (The only exception is a levitation.) --So, when a magician poses with “magic props” it usually can look silly to a non-magician client or spectator. The challenge is to look “magical” without silly props. --The people visiting your website or reading your brochure, want to see YOU and learn who you are, they’ll hire YOU doing magic, not just the magic you do. --So you want flattering (of course) and dramatic shots. The VERY best shots you can get is performing or posing with HAPPY audience members-- this shows them what you can deliver not just what you do! --Have a lot of pictures taken, with lots of different looks and costumes, then be ruthless and work that number down to about 12 excellent ones. Then find trusted experts and business savvy people to help you narrow it down to the best 3 shots that really represent you as a commercial artist. --There’s more too it, like getting perfect flattering lighting, the best background, angles, and a photographer with an entertainment background not just a wedding one. Magically, Walt |
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Sam Sandler Inner circle 2487 Posts |
I have both shots with props and with out and yes you can not capture the magic moment
I have some new shots with parts of my props but not the whole thing for instance a great shot was taken with my spikes for the spiker but the spiker was not in the picture just me and my assitant with the spikes very dramatic picture yes also where several outfits even if its just changing your shirt. this way the pics don't come across as oh he had a lot of pictures taken that day! as for in front of an audience sure but not all of them should be that you need a mix simple head shot action shot audience shot mix it up and have fun. keep in mind you need about 50 pics to get 5-7 good ones and 3 great ones if your lucky so you might want to shoot 100 pics this is just an estimate of what I have noticed over the years of having sevearl photo shoots. I try to have one every 3 years. hope that helps have fun sam ps if possible use green screen shots that way it is easier to cut you out and put what ever background you want don't use the cheezy back drops some of these portrait photgrphers use.
sam sandler- America's only full-time DEAF Illusionist
http://www.samsandler.com http://www.deafinitelymagic.com |
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BrianMillerMagic Inner circle CT 2050 Posts |
Kameron, bounce around http://www.BrianMillerMagic.com for a variety of my current promo shots. We took nearly 200 shots over 2 hours, and spent weeks narrowing it down and then doing the post-production on them. I highly recommend not trying to "capture magic" in the photo, as Spellbinder suggested above. Get nice photos of you in character, but don't worry about showing any magic in them. Show them magic in your promo video
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unclesamayen Elite user Taiwan 459 Posts |
I just saw LuChen's website and found that there are many good photos.
Maybe you can take a look at this! http://www.liuchien.com/download.php YuYen
Comedy, Mental, Busking.
Performing magic for the blinds. http://youtu.be/nW3O0nucQUI Busking in Mong Kok http://youtu.be/WqohXqTxRVU |
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Kameron Messmer Special user Billings, MT 742 Posts |
Good ideas... Yu, Those are really good pics...Gives me some ideas... They are more artful than what I usuallt see... good stuff.
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Kameron Messmer Special user Billings, MT 742 Posts |
I wish I could get some good quality pics of me doing a show. I might look into that in the future. The guy I hired does more studio stuff.. I will keep this in mind though. I might have to stick with my crappy pics for the reactions for now...
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Michael Messing Inner circle Knoxville, TN 1817 Posts |
Kameron,
I have taken publicity photos for a number of magicians. I try to capture the performer's personality in their photo, which is the key to a really strong promo photo. The photo has to be dynamic and show energy. Here are some of my favorites that I've taken: If you want to look through entire sets of photos, my gallery site is here: http://mmessing.zenfolio.com/f285166544 (Click on the thumbnail and it will go to the photos for that performer. Then, click on any of those thumbnails and the image will enlarge.) You'll notice that all the photos are taken against a white background. That's done for a number of reasons: 1.) It allows you to more easily extract your image from your background for use on the Web. 2.) It provides excellent separation of the performer from the background in case the photo will be printed in a black & white publication. (If the background is dark and your hair is dark, it's really hard to keep your hair from blending into the background.) 3.) It gives you the flexibility of changing the background color easily. 4.) It allows you to put text in the white areas for flyers. That said, I wouldn't use a white background if your style is dark and dramatic. Most of the people I have photographed work for children and family audiences. Hope this helps. Michael |
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Scott Burton Inner circle 1131 Posts |
Michael: You're doing a great job. Congrats!
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unclesamayen Elite user Taiwan 459 Posts |
You can also check Zakary Belamy's works.
http://www.zakarybelamy.com/ He is a great photographer who focus on the art of magic. There are so many great photos on his facebook. Go check it out and you'll get so many ideas. YuYen
Comedy, Mental, Busking.
Performing magic for the blinds. http://youtu.be/nW3O0nucQUI Busking in Mong Kok http://youtu.be/WqohXqTxRVU |
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Kameron Messmer Special user Billings, MT 742 Posts |
Very nice! this will keep me busy... I'll have to forward some of my favorites to my photographer...
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Mystical Matthew Elite user 468 Posts |
Michael -
Whoa... If I lived a little closer to you I'd totally hire you to do some promo shots of us! I'm happy with the work my local photographer has done, but I love the way all your work brings out the character of the artists! Absolutely. Awesome. - Matthew |
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