12k Records: Photographic Art Direction

Whilst investigating analogue photography and electronic music I stumbled across a New York label called 12k. It was started by electronica musician and photographer called Taylor Dupree in 1997. The art direction and images used on their releases are similar to what I have in my head for my club promotion brief. Suitably beautify but ambiguous photography to create a sense of intrigue. I understand that Dupree himself takes most of the photos used on the labels output. 

Examples of Label Artwork:

The way in which the type is placed on these first few has given me a few ideas for my own layout. I want the type to contrast with the analogue photography (it could make for some interesting design) but at the same time not jar with the image. Special care will have to be taken so both elements are working together rather than against each other.

The above images are older releases, the next examples are more recent releases with the layout modified slightly. It's obvious that they come from the same label though as the same conventions have been use, just slightly updated. 

In addition to the above layout conventions of the label, full bleed artwork is used with type placed directly onto the photograph, though not as regularly.

 

In another vein some releases feature urban/architectural photography - this has given me an idea to design two treatments for the club promotion. Friday would use analogue 'vintage' photography and Saturday could use Urban photography with additional vector shapes on the photos. Effectively there would be two flyers each month (Promoting Fridays and Saturdays) with the two approaches distinguishing the nights. In a way it would be analogue (natural environments, soft colours etc) vs digital (urban landscapes, sharp vector shapes etc).