Event Photography Tips

Event photography demands a unique toolkit of habits to get the job done.  This list is for corporate or business event photography:

1. Set from the gate :

 Ensure you arrive early to take some shots to get familiarized with the lighting. 

Scope the spots that have the best positioning to the podium. 

You may think you have the best spots, until you take an example shot of each angle and compare.

If possible, snag a copy of the agenda so you are aware of the schedule of speakers. 

As a rule of thumb you'll need solid images of:

Each speaker during their presentation

Government Officials 

Award winners

VIPS- for example Presidents, CEOS, Directors

Solid crowd shot

The event sign

2. Float the room

There shouldn't be any down time AT ALL.

Maneuver through the room repetitively (even if you feel like your going in circles!) Photographers often call this "working the room" . 

3. Don't Be Stand Offish 

It is your job to photograph the event, therefore you need to make the images happen.

Kindly ask groups to pose together and then keep moving. 

Crouching, kneeling, and sliding around obstacles is what you'll have to do to make the picture, confidently do so and you will blend in more. 

4. Be mindful of flash 

Keep focused on where your flash is throwing to. No one likes to be blinded. 

5. Categorize

If you must create captions for photos for news purposes, keep a notepad, write the name and details down and photograph the paper directly after taking an image of that person therefore when your editing you can keep the face next to the name. 

6. Always a rule of thumb: do not photograph attendants during the dining hour. 

7. Storytelling 

Always photograph printed event programs, expo booths,  signs,  and other objects to capture more essence of the event. 

8. Look out for:

Opportunities to photograph individuals engaged in conversation 

Handshakes. Handshakes.  Handshakes.  Always shoot a handshake! 

9. Post Event

Do not over edit,  this is not wedding photography therefore whimsical filters, color overlays and too much contrast will not work.  Images need to be as close to how the natural eye would see. 

10. Always embed your copyright into your jpgs to eliminate infringement.  

Best of luck ! Stay posted for my next Tip List on how to construct a photography agreement.