The Sacred Seven: The Seven Photos That Get You Booked!

If you want to get booked, you need more than talent. You need presence. You need connection. And you need the right promotional photos.

I call it the Sacred Seven—seven photographs that, when a Booker, an agent, or potential client, sees them, they don’t just notice you—they can’t stop themselves from hiring you.

These aren’t just pictures. They are your secret weapon. Your calling card. The visual story that says, “This is the one!”

By the time someone sees the seventh photo, they should be ready to scream, “Uncle! I give up! Book them!”

Why the Sacred Seven Matters

Think of it this way: a Booker is hiring five performers for an upcoming show. On their desk? Fifty possibilities. They start flipping through headshots, performance shots, and promo packets. With every page, they’re discarding as much as they’re considering.

One photo looks amateur—discard. One doesn’t convey the act—discard. One looks tired or staged—discard.

If you want to make it in this business, you need to survive the discard pile. But better yet, you want to dominate it. You want the committee to see your packet and say:

“Well, obviously we’re booking this person. Now, who fills the other four spots?”

Your photos should make you the obvious choice. The decisive choice. The choice they'd be crazy to pass over.

That’s the power of the Sacred Seven.

What Makes a Photo “Sacred”?

Your photos need to:

Show diversity. Different venues, different costumes, different props if your act uses them. One photo shoot isn’t enough. Variety is key.

Include a headshot. This is your “face-to-face” moment on paper. Make it strong, authentic, memorable.

Include wide-angle shots. Give people a sense of scale and stage presence.

Show what you do. By the seventh photo, someone should understand your act without a word being spoken.

Show authenticity. Include a close-up that reveals the lines, the wrinkles, the personality etched into your face. You want people to recognize you when you walk through the door.

Tell your story. Every photo should give a little insight into your artistry, your style, your energy.

Grab attention. These photos need to stop the scroll, make someone pick them up, and remember you.

Beyond the Sacred Seven

In my own career, my Sacred Seven has grown into more of a Sacred Fifteen, because different gigs require different approaches. A corporate event might need a different set than a holiday show. But the principle is the same: every photo should make your audience say:

“I don’t even need to look at the rest. This is the one.”

How I Can Help

I’m passionate about helping performers step into their best selves, and part of that is making sure your promotional materials are as powerful as your act. That’s why I offer:

Photo consultations to help pick your strongest images.

Accompaniment to photoshoots so you get dynamic, unforgettable shots.

I want you to get the good gigs. I want you to stand out. And I want your Sacred Seven to make bookers need to hire you. Subscribe to my Patreon today, for as little as $5 a month, you'll gain access to resources available nowhere else.