Huge shout-out and thank you to all the employees that were there during our shoot on August 10, 2024, and were so kind to let us explore the shop and get all the photos we needed! Your kindness and patience did not go unnoticed.
If you’re in the music scene, there’s no better way to manifest your big-stage dreams than with a photoshoot at Gibson Garage in Nashville, Tennessee. I love taking photos that embody the vibe of a city to inspire my readers to visit, and what better idea for Nashville than a musician shoot? IMO, one of the best ways to personify Music City is getting some pics inside the flagship store of one of the most legendary guitar companies of all time.
@oakhavenphotobykd
I know what you’re wondering, and the answer is NO, I am not in the music scene. But a girl can dream, right? And besides, I am heavy in the “photo inspo” scene…hence this photoshoot blog post! I’m going to talk about how this shoot came about, what I chose to wear, the must-do photo spots, and why every musician needs to visit Gibson Garage in Nashville. Crank up “Cowboy” by Kid Rock, and keep scrolling!
This post is dedicated to my dad, who spent much of my childhood playing the guitar and singing me songs by The Beatles. I still think you should start a band 😉
What is The Gibson Garage?
Gibson Garage is a massive guitar shop with every type of guitar you can imagine. In short, it’s a musician’s paradise. You are allowed to play the guitars, take a lesson, and – if you’re lucky – see a live show performed on their stage. They have every body style of guitar you can think of, from electric Les Pauls to small-bodied acoustics. They also sell amplifiers, guitar pedals, clothing, and other accessories. Bonus: Since you’re allowed to play any of the guitars, you can also use them as a photoshoot prop!
Where is The Gibson Garage Located?
Gibson Garage is located in downtown Nashville inside the Cummins Station building. It’s in between the Country Music Hall of Fame and The Guich, making it a prime location for visitors. The brick building complimented by the silver shop sign gives off an industrial feel and sets the stage for what you’re about to find inside.
Planning Your Rockstar Photoshoot
I’ll admit, I had no intention of getting a photoshoot at a guitar shop until my photographer Kelsey and I were strolling down the streets of Nashville and spotted a “vintage guitars” sign etched into a building. We were already going to get photos of must-visit places like Broadway, The Gulch, and 12South, but when we spotted that sign, a lightbulb went off. “Okay…now THAT would be cool!”
Unfortunately, it didn’t take us long to realize that the building with the “vintage guitar” sign had long been out of commission. It was transformed into a barber shop, and likely hadn’t seen a guitar in years. I Googled “vintage guitar shops,” but nothing hit me as being super photogenic. It wasn’t until one of my best friends, Claire, who also happens to be a Nashville local, suggested Gibson Garage that everything clicked.
The vision for this photoshoot hit me all at once. I wanted to capture the entity of musicians everywhere that come to Nashville to make it big, all while showcasing how insanely cool this place is inside. I had the perfect outfit, and I knew Kelsey would know all the best angles and shots. When we were done, I knew these would be my favorite photos of the whole trip.
A Little Bit Country, A Little Bit Rock & Roll
My vision for Gibson Garage was a little bit country, a little bit rock & roll. Some of my favorite country singers like Brantley Gilbert do an amazing job at creating this country/rock hybrid sound, and that was the vibe that I got when I entered Gibson Garage.
My outfit was rock & roll glam paired with country accents. I chose a top with red gemstones and cowboy boots with silver sparkles, and then added a neutral black hat and shorts. The hat had a rhinestone band, which thankfully wasn’t overkill in addition to all the other glitter I had going on. (I’ll admit, my wardrobe can be a little much. I was told once that when it comes to dressing up, other people’s version of “extra” is essentially my baseline. I can’t say I disagree…/shrug)
What to Bring to Your Musician Photoshoot
The short answer: a camera and your creativity! Unlike some of the hotel bars we went to, Gibson Garage did not object to us bringing a professional camera inside. Plus, you are allowed to hold their guitars, pose by the amplifiers, stand on the stage, etc…
In short, they had everything I needed there to make this photoshoot happen. Unless there are any specific props that you have and want to use, you can literally just show up and start snapping!
Photoshoot Ideas at Gibson Garage Nashville
Now for the fun part! The options are endless, thanks to all the different guitars and props.
Under the “Gibson” Sign
When you walk in to the Gibson Garage, you’d be hard-pressed to miss the massive “Gibson” sign hanging from the ceiling. I love the angle that these photos were taken from. You are able to see the whole sign, two guitars on display, plus the row of guitars in the far background.
Take Center Stage
Directly behind the area underneath the Gibson sign is a stage that hosts live performances. I loved playing around on this stage because there are so many different ways you can get a good photo. If you can play the guitar, you can get photos up here all while having your Kid Rock moment.
You’ll see that there is a rotating lineup of guitars in all different coordinating colors that circulates around the room. IMO, the coolest shots from this stage are the ones where you can get the guitars at the top…and bonus points if you nail the colors that coordinate with your outfit. 😉
Photos on the stage also look really good taken as a wide-angle shot. Having so many things in one picture really shows off just how cool this area of the shop is.
Lastly, you can get close-up shots without the guitars hanging overhead, to highlight the stage background. The background is actually a screen that changes scenes, so your best shots will be the ones where your outfit pops and/or coordinates against the colors that are shown.
Play Around With the Guitars & Amplifiers
I loved the shots by the brick wall with the Gibson logo, surrounded by guitars and amplifiers. The lights from overhead gave a “spotlight” feel that really made my red shirt pop against the neutral bricks and black amplifiers.
The Acoustics Room
My favorite part of the Acoustics Room is this wall with the Gibson sign on the background. The lighting here is perfect, and you are really able to make this shot cute with the glass counter. I thought this entire room was absolutely beautiful.
Of course, it wouldn’t be the Acoustics Room without a wall of acoustic guitars, right? Wide-angle shots like this one showcase just how many guitars are hanging along the wall. You can also have your OG Taylor Swift moment by propping your guitar on the floor and holding it near the top.
“Look, I’m On TV!”
Well…not really. But you can dream, right? This is perhaps the most unexpected shot, but one you can get really creative with. Near the stage, there is a wall of TV’s surrounded by a background that reminds me of graffiti and punk-rock bumper stickers. I feel like this area would be really cool for a group shot with everyone in different poses.
