I’ve shot events of all shapes and sizes. But when it boils down to it, you want photos from each event that do two things, no matter how big or small it is.
If you’ve spent time and effort putting an event together, you want photos that make it look busy. It doesn’t matter if you’re in a basement room that holds 30 people at a squeeze or a vast auditorium that can swallow 1000 plus. You want it to look like people bothered to turn up. Preferably in numbers. A full room is a full room, no matter how many people it can hold.
And you want the event to look like it was amazing. What does amazing look like? Well, sometimes it’s a record of the incredible lighting and staging, sure. Or the booked entertainment was dazzling. I’ll get photos of those, of course. But more constantly, it means people looking like they’re having a great time. People are what makes an event truly special, not the surroundings. So, your keynote speaker in full flow, a rapt audience hanging on her every word. Conversation in full flow. Smiles and laughter. Human beings having human interactions, in other words.
Basically, you want photos that make it look like the viewer was missing out by not being there.
Pretty simply really, but if you’re a full time event planner, or you’ve been tasked with organising one for your business, you understand that these two points are what it boils down to.
Why? Because they are markers of the success of the event; and, more importantly, they help to make it much easier to make the next planned event a success too.
I’ve spent 21 years shooting photos like the ones posted above, following those two guidelines every time. Looking to capture the sweep and scale of the event, but more importantly those moments that really illustrate how great it was to be there. So yes, I can definitely help you to get the shots you want to show how great your event was, and to make the next one you’re planning event more successful.
