Taking photos for my debut album was nothing like it was for The Beatles. While the iconic band had access to top photographers and resources, I was on a tight budget with just £150 in my bank account. Professional photography was out of the question if I wanted to eat, but I did have an iPhone 14 Pro Max.
The Beatles had Polaroid cameras for capturing moments instantly, but with mixed results. They didn’t have to worry about music videos either, unlike me, who had to shoot both a music video and an album cover in one day. This was challenging because it was a concept album filled with maternal love songs about my daughter. Naturally, she would rather hang out with friends than shoot visuals with her mom.
There was one thing I shared with The Beatles, though: a love for Indian-influenced music. My debut single, ‘Secret Asian,’ featured sitar and tabla, drawing a parallel to the band’s ‘The Inner Light.’ The song touched on my experiences with racism and how my mixed-race daughter, who looks completely white, might be spared from it.
For the visuals, we decided on traditional Indian clothing. My daughter was hesitant at first, worrying it might be seen as cultural appropriation, but it’s her culture too. So, we ended up shooting in front of a row of garages, and the lighting was terrible. Every time I watch the video now, I cringe. It doesn’t do the song justice at all.
However, the album cover shoot turned out much better. My daughter took a selfie of us, and it’s the picture-perfect contrast of her light features and my dark ones. The lower jewel of my maang tikka was slightly askew, but it added a quirky charm. The image captures the essence of an album full of Indian-influenced pop. I’d like to think even The Beatles would approve.
So, why did I do all this? I hit 40 and realized I still had a childhood dream of becoming a pop star. Music might be more accessible these days, but making a quality album still isn’t cheap. Beyond just recording costs, you need a decent smartphone for visuals. Yes, anyone can upload a song to Spotify, but a good album requires a lot more investment.
Creating my debut album was a far cry from The Beatles’ experience, but with a little ingenuity and a lot of determination, it all came together. And who knows? Maybe someday it’ll be looked at with the same fondness and nostalgia as those iconic Beatles covers.
