I get a lot of questions from artists about what they can expect from my promotional shoots. To get a small taste of what’s possible, visit my portfolio.

Here’s what’s typically included in my solo musician shoots:

• A production meeting either online or in-person to nail down the exact creative concept for your shoot
• Approx 2.5-4 hours in studio or on-location (includes setup/hair/makeup time)
• Proofs ready within 4-6 business days via private online gallery
• Between 100 – 600 total shots (depending on time and the complexity of the concept)
• 3 final retouched images of your choice provided as high resolution digital files
• Unlimited usage rights for all retouched images you order

The following additional options are also available:

• Hair, makeup, and wardrobe styling
• Additional high resolution retouched files
• Copies of retouched images and/or proofs burned to CD
• Copies of your retouched images specifically optimized for print, web, email and social media
• Long-term image hosting for PR and management use

Artists, if want your photos to rock as hard as you do, request a quote!

Discussion: 3 Comments »

Here’s one of my favorite shots from my recent shoot with Seether. This photo was taken amongst dozens of pianos that are being transformed into musical art installations as part of the Pop-up Pianos project. Pop-up Pianos is a public arts project founded by Sing For Hope that places pianos throughout the public spaces of New York City. The pianos, which can be played by anyone who passes, have been filling the NYC with music for years.

Sing for Hope is an amazing non-profit organization that mobilizes professional artists – from classical musicians to photographers to Broadway performers – in volunteer service programs that benefit schools, hospitals, and communities.

If you’re an artist interested in making a difference, you should definitely learn more about Sing for Hope and consider volunteering.

Discussion: 3 Comments »

I admit it, whenever I pull a festival assignment I piss and moan with the best of them. The days are long, the gear is heavy, the food sucks, and something expensive always ends up covered in something cheap and sticky. Despite all this, there’s a rare and beautiful part of music that only exists at festivals, which is why I’ve attended The Bamboozle three years in a row.

The highlights of year’s lineup included Wiz Khalifa, Dashboard Confessional, Das Racist, New Found Glory, Travie McCoy, A Day to Remember, and a no-holds-barred (or is it no-bars-can-hold?) performance by none other than Lil Wayne.

Here’s a preview of my favorite photos from The Bamboozle 2011. (more…)

Discussion: 1 Comment »

I had a great promo shoot with Neil Davis this weekend at Attic Studios. Over the course of the day, we shot 9 nine looks with 6 different lighting setups for Neil’s album cover and press kit. Check out the behind the scenes video and stay tuned for the finished images.

Discussion: 12 Comments »

I love my job.

I was recently shot the legendary Mick Jones with Foreigner, a band whose music I’ve been listening to for literally my entire life. It’s hard to believe, but this year marks the 30th anniversary of Foreigner 4, the #1 album that in 1981, solidified the band’s place in rock’n'roll history. Foreigner celebrated the event with an intimate live show for some of their biggest fans. My assignment included portraits and live concert photography; here are a few of my fav’s from both halves. (more…)

Discussion: 2 Comments »

I don’t know too many musicians, let alone eleven-piece bands, who are willing to spend an entire day shooting promos in the freezing cold. Enter EMEFE, an indie groove band from New York. I first met the guys at a wedding of all places. Other than the fact that there are eleven of them, two things immediately stood out; one, every member is extremely talented and two, they collectively kick some serious afrobeat ass.

As is typical for my band portraits, we worked together to nail down the creative direction in advance. If everyone isn’t on the same page on shoot day, it’s a colossal waste of time and money. Add to the mix temperatures in the low 30s and you’ve got yourself a downright mess. So, in order to maximize the number of looks and avoid frostbite, we planed the entire day from start to finish.

Here are a few of my favorites from our chilly promo shoot. (more…)

Discussion: 9 Comments »

The sister duo, The Pierces charmed a packed house at Mercury lounge with their sassy lyrics and smooth folk melodies. I’d heard there was something special about Allison and Catherine Pierce and from where I was standing, all of the rumors were true – The Pierces have an effortless and endearing stage presence and a rare mix of beauty and talent. (more…)

Discussion: 5 Comments »

I caught up with the UK’s Pint Shot Riot mid-way through their 4-day/3-gig musical assault on New York City. These portraits were taken in The Studio at Webster Hall just a few minutes before the band went on. They look good big so click to see them larger.

The lead shot was taken with the Nikon D3 and  the 50mm f/1.8 using ambient light only. The room was lit by an overhead fixture and a single tungsten floor lamp that provided a nice edge light on Rob, the band’s lead guitarist. I would have loved another lamp for an even edge light on the right side of the image, but when you’ve only got a few minutes, you make due with what’s at hand. More photos and notes after the break. (more…)

Discussion: 2 Comments »

I caught up with August Burns Red at the NYC stop on the 2010 AP Tour. I’d photographed the band’s double-header at the same venue in April, and even though it had only been a few months, it was amazing to see the guys soar to new heights in terms of their stage presence and sheer mob scene of fans they’re drawing.

The band put on an absolutely bone-crushing set for a sold-out crowd that was, at times, completely out of hand. I took more than a few licks in the pit during this one, but I’ve got some serious love for these guys so I’m happy to post this extended photo set. (more…)

Discussion: 4 Comments »

Here’s a quick one from my shoot with the legendary Doobie Brothers earlier in the week. It’s hard to believe that Tom, John and Pat have been rocking it for 120 years combined and they’re still absolutely killing it on stage. I was simply astounded by their performance and delighted to work with such truly nice guys.

Lighting diagram after the jump with the full set and shooting notes to follow.

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Duffy photographed in New York City, November 2010. (photo by Chris Owyoung)

My short portrait session with the lovely Duffy was originally scheduled for 4:45pm which, during November in NYC, is the perfect time for flattering golden hour sunlight. The only problem is that the shoot didn’t take place until 6:00pm – well after sundown. With no time to change locations or set up lights, I was forced to take a shot in the dark (literally).

The exposure for this photo was a setting I usually reserve for concert shooting –  ISO1600 and 1/100 using Nikon’s new 85mm wide open at f/1.4. Duffy is lit by ambient light only with a New York City street lamp serving as the key light. Despite the less-than-ideal conditions, I’m pleased with how the shot turned out.

More portraits and favorites from soundcheck and the concert shoot after the jump.

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Discussion: 13 Comments »

Linkin Park photographed backstage at Best Buy Theater in Times Square (photo © chris owyoung)

So I happened to be wearing a Linkin Park t-shirt from the band’s 2008 Projekt Revolution tour when the request to photograph the release concert for the band’s fourth studio album, A Thousand Suns, hit my inbox. And while I refrained from, as my editor suggested “wearing the shirt to the assignment to have it autographed,” I was definitely psyched to have the chance to work closely with a band whose music I’ve been following for over a decade.

I photographed the guys both back stage and during the concert with special effort put towards executing a portrait that involved abstract digital art projected over the band.

The following are some of my favorite shots from the assignment along with the shooting notes. (more…)

Discussion: 8 Comments »