Portraits with A Pulse: Musician Photography with Ashley
While others’ pictorial sessions feel like work, ours always feel like creative magic. Ashley’s was the latter.
When she reached out to Otherwhere, it was clear to us that this is not just another standard musician photoshoot. Ashley asked to capture her personality and music through the lens. Our goal eventually became clear: we wanted something that highlights her vibrancy, softness, and rhythm all in one frame.
We knew we were creating for someone who valued nuance, and that made all the difference.
The Project: More Than Just a Headshot
Ashley’s ask may be simple, but we know that it requires a powerful statement and approach. We were aiming for photos of Ashley that go beyond a typical musician portrait photography with just a posed smile or the right angle. Just like the artistic portrait for a fire dancer we’ve worked on, Ashley’s authentic self should also reflect in each image that we capture. Every photo should project her vibrant spirit and artistic identity.
She also requested makeup that strayed away from a standard glam look, something that matches her unique vibe. While it might seem trivial, these are the types of requests that we listen to carefully. We knew we’re not asked to just photograph a face—we were photographing a whole artist.
Color, Personality, and Intention
Our vision for this project came together almost naturally. We leaned into a bright, colorful, and seriously cute approach that felt true to Ashley’s personality. Our musician photography ideas landed through the conversations we’ve had with the client, intentional references, and artistic instinct.
We built the session around a playful palette of pinks, reds, greens, deep purples, and electric blues. We felt that each color also helps us represent a certain tune that Ashley’s music exudes through its melodies. With these tones, we were also able to evoke both the freshness of daylight and the mystery of nighttime.
Revisiting the roots of famous musician photography, musical instruments and tools became our co-stars. We used props such as a microphone, keyboard, and headphones to hint at Ashley’s story and world. Otherwhere aimed at marrying all these elements into one cohesive narrative as effortlessly and authentically as we can.
From Vision to Reality
Right from the beginning, our shoot with Ashley was rooted in collaboration. We asked her what she likes and developed a mood board with references to show her choices we could pursue. It is very important for us to help guide our client, especially if it’s their first time to participate in a professional musician photography or any shoot of some kind. The planning phase mattered to us just as much as the final results.
We dialled everything in with a few test lighting test shots before Ashley stepped on set. We also brought in a professional makeup artist to help us hit that sweet spot between polished and playful when it comes to achieving that elevated look we’re aiming for. In contrast to some iconic black and white photos of famous musicians, we wanted this shoot to be as colorful and vibrant as Ashley’s personality is, so we ensured we achieved that through the lighting, as well. When working on artist profiles and with other creatives, we always try to encourage and incorporate any creative ideas that they may have. In this case, Ashley brought her own props, which we happily included, and ensured that the set was comfortable and worked in harmony for Ashley.
And then we shot one photo after another. Our goal of capturing professional musician photos that resonated with Ashley’s artistic identity came with different flows between setups, light adjustments in between, and letting our instinct lead where the plan needed to flex.
We worked fast, but never rushed. We polished the aesthetic but kept everything intentional.
We had some tunes playing and shared laughter while light was bouncing off pastel-coloured outfits and backdrops. Looking at each image made us feel harmonies. Yes, even without actual music.
Post-Production: Crafting a Visual Album
All the best musician photos went through an editing process to fine tune and better capture the story they wish to tell. After wrapping up the session, we sifted through the shots with Ashley and encouraged her to select what resonates with her best. We also added our own picks to bring in a second perspective in the mix. Together, we were able to select images that formed a cohesive series and captured the vibe we loved. From there, Otherwhere did its post-processing magic.
We refined the colors and lights to match our art direction, bearing in mind all of the musician photography tips and knowledge we’ve honed over the years. Subtle touch-ups were also performed, but not overdone. We wanted to retouch or remove distractions but still stay true to Ashley’s identity and personality. The final gallery felt like a visual playlist of what she creates and who she truly is.
Musician Photography Captured in Perfect Harmony
As the lens hit the right notes, Ashley’s happiness towards the results also struck a chord in our hearts. The ultimate win for us was genuinely capturing her as an artist and knowing that we succeeded based on her response. Ashley connected with the music and photo results. She walked away with a visual identity that she could own and show the world. Meanwhile, we also walked away with a project that reminded us why we do this in the first place. We want to reflect people back to themselves and, with our direction and help, make their best selves shine in front of the camera.
For us, that’s the mark of a successful shoot.
The Bottom Line
Whether we’re taking iconic photos of musicians or creating a packaging design for a product, we always consider every project a collaboration with our clients. With Ashley, we ensured the flow of creative conversation that merges her vision and our expertise in the best way possible. This project highlights how trust, alignment, and creative freedom are important to getting the best results. It is a reminder that portraiture is not only about control. It is about connection.
If you’re an artist, a creative, or someone who knows what you want to feel in your pictures, Otherwhere is here to help you capture that. This vibrant proof of concept shows how we can turn a static portrait into a moving piece of art with plenty of color, music, and personality to go around.
Let’s translate energy into your photos, too. We’re ready when you are.
If you're seeking a partner to create engaging, informative materials for your projects, we at Otherwhere are ready to help! Contact us today to discuss how we can support your next project.
