The Top 3 Videos You Need to Get Booked as an Independent Artist
Luke RobertsPublished on: 03/09/2026
Learn what talent buyers and venues actually look for when booking independent artists for shows
Video for artistsMusic businessMarketingBooking
BLOG
A Blog by a Music Videographer
As indie artists ourselves, we believe in empowering artists with the ability to leverage video well. That's what this blog is about
BLOG POSTS
The Top 3 Videos You Need to Get Booked as an Independent Artist
With these 3 videos, you'll immediately impress venues, promoters, talent buyers, and festivals
How to leverage social media for your music
How do you actually use social media to benefit your music? Is it worth it? How do you avoid burnout?
How to make a professional electronic press kit (EPK)
What are booking agents and venues looking for when you send in your EPK? (FREE EPK TEMPLATE DOWNLOAD)
How to get the most out of a live concert shoot
You've decided you need to film your live show. Do you film the whole show or a few songs? How do you get good audio? How many clips can you get for social media?
How to get the most value out of a music video shoot
Quality music videos are expensive, so let's talk about how to turn one music video shoot into 30-60 pieces of extra social media content
What makes a good promo video
What do booking agents want to see when they watch your promo video? How much should you be spending on this? Where can you go to get a good promo video?
How to make social media content with your phone
My top tips and tricks for getting the most out of your phone camera when making social media content, what actually matters (in what order), and what doesn't matter
What to look for when choosing a music videographer
It doesn't matter if you work with us or another video team, these are the top non-negotiables when working with someone for video
The best phone apps for editing video
My top recommendations for video editing apps using your phone and when to use these vs your computer
The best website, email, store, and texting tools for your music
Sending emails and texts, keeping track of your fans contact info and location, managing merch orders, and keeping your website updated is a headache without an integrated system. I'll show you my favorite.
MEET Luke Roberts
Artist and Cinematographer
I'm a full time artist and cinematographer splitting my time between Washington, DC and Missoula, MT. In 2019, I launched LJR Creative, a boutique video production company that specializes in shooting live concerts, studio sessions, festivals, and social media content.
When I'm not shooting, I'm writing and performing my own original music under my artist name LJR, or spending time with my wife & family. This blog includes the lessons I've learned over the years through video production for artists, performing, and music marketing strategy. I hope you find it valuable!
Blog Posts
Luke RobertsVideo is a business investment, not a vanity project
Most projects land between a few hundred and a few thousand dollars depending on scope. On our call, we’ll talk about what actually makes sense for where you are and where you’re going.
TESTIMONIALS
"Booked a $4k wedding gig!"
“I booked a $4,000 out-of-state solo wedding gig that came as a result of the couple seeing one of my videos Luke shot, and several venues reached out to me to book gigs with them after someone showed them one of my videos. I'll definitely continue to work with Luke!”
– Joe Downer
"AMAZING!"
“After we dropped our live in-studio session, the same venues that ignored our emails started reaching out. We booked three better-paying shows off that one video alone.”
– Lexie Raine
"We TRIPLED our price with these videos!"
“Once Luke filmed our live concert, we were able to TRIPLE our price and have performed at Barns of Wolf Trap, The Fillmore, Warner Theater and several large festivals and venues since then.”
– Annie Sidley
"Absolutely brilliant"
“Luke is fantastic and absolutely brilliant to work with. Filming was incredibly efficient, enjoyable and the whole session went so smoothly. I didn’t feel nervous at all."
– Joe Kelly
"Lightning fast communication"
"From start to finish Luke communicates lightning-fast, he knows exactly how to light and shoot you to look your best, and he turns things around incredibly quickly."
– Juliet Lloyd
"Puts our best foot forward"
Luke was super professional and always radiating positivity! Working with him was a blast and the final product was incredible. Puts our best foot forward.
– Brendan Lane
"HIGHLY recommend!"
“Luke is really awesome to work with! Super fun, very professional, and will do whatever it takes to get the product to look and sound the way you want. I did a few live videos with him and he couldn’t have made the process any easier and stress free for me. HIGHLY recommend!"
– Beth Cannon
"Quick turnaround time"
“Excellent quality video, great framing/lighting, with a quick turnaround time. The music video finally made our sound make sense to people who’d never seen us live. It’s the piece we send every time we apply for anything now.”
– Julian Lofton
"Incredibly easy"
"Working with Luke was incredibly easy. He has fantastic communication skills and put the band at ease while he was filming us. The final clip turned out amazing and we are looking forward to working with him again!"
– Jeni Porter
book a call
Let's chat. Fill out the form below and we'll reach out to setup a call
Fill out the form below to apply for a no-pressure strategy call. We’ll talk through your goals, what you’re already doing, and whether a live session, concert film, or music video will actually move you forward right now.
Perfect if you’re already playing shows or releasing music
You’re ready to treat video as an investment, not an experiment
You want a collaborator who understands both music and cinematography
Not a fit if: you’re looking for the cheapest possible option or just need someone to “point a camera and hit record.”
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Frequently asked questions
If you’re thinking like a professional, you’re probably asking these questions. If something’s not covered here, bring it to our call.
We’re independent, are we “big enough” to work with you?
If you’re already playing live, releasing music, and treating this like your job—even if you still have a day job—you’re likely the right fit. We’re less concerned with follower count and more with your seriousness about using video to grow.
What if we don’t have a big budget?
That’s exactly why we start with strategy. Sometimes one strong live session or a lean but powerful video does more for your career than a bloated concept. On the call we’ll match scope to your goals and resources, not push you into something that doesn’t make sense.
Can you travel for shows or shoots?
Yes, travel is possible and common for the right projects. We’ll factor travel and logistics into the quote. If it’s not cost-effective, we’ll be honest and suggest alternatives.
How far in advance should we book?
Ideally 4–6 weeks before your target date, especially for releases or important shows. If you’re on a tighter timeline, still reach out to us. We can often suggest a scaled, realistic plan.
Do we get raw footage?
You’ll always receive the final edited deliverables. Raw footage can sometimes be included or licensed depending on the project—if that’s important to you, mention it on our call so we can structure the quote correctly.
LJR Creative - Cinematic live video production in Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virgina
29 Kings Ct SE, Washington DC, 20019
(301) 244-8034
© 2026 LJR Creative
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