Photography
Choosing the right person for your event photography
There are so many types of event photography: wedding, corporate, sporting and other special occasions. You might be confused with just what to look for when you choose a photographer. The below guidelines may help you in your decision making efforts.
Not everyone doing event photography is created equal Even in the realm of event photography there are specialties. Someone who does weddings, birthdays and other family events is called a social photographer. Someone who does conferences, tradeshows and galas, on the other hand, is considered to be a corporate event photographer. When hiring someone to do your special event, make sure you are aware of their specialty or whether they specialize in both! The most talented wedding photographer may not be the best choice for your upcoming, fast-paced, multi-faceted annual conference.
The style of photography you want will help choose the photographer Are you interested in traditional photography with formal poses? Or are you looking for a photographer that can capture more spontaneous shots? Maybe you want both! Whatever the style, when looking for someone to hire for your event photography, you need to look at portfolios! If you don’t know the exact terminology for the style of photography you desire, look through magazines to find samples of the style you are seeking. Then ask to see any similar work the photographer may have.
You really shouldn’t be the person asking all the questions about the event photography, either. The photographer you are interviewing for the job should be asking you questions, too! What is the event? Are there multiple locations with different lighting needs? What are your expectations? The more they know about the event, the more samples they can show you of similar work.
Film photography vs. Digital photography Whether you choose film or digital event photography will be based on the type of event! For a wedding, you want the top of the line film photography with a provider that also has digital technology (for digital retouching and online print orders). However, for a corporate event, you will probably just require digital photography all the way around, since inevitably those images will end up in a digital format anyway. (Photos from a corporate event are normally uploaded to websites, added to newsletters and placed on brochures, making digital photography the appropriate choice.)
Venue, or similar venue, experience Finding a photographer that has previous experience at a particular type of venue is a must! If your event photography will be mainly taken at an outdoor location and the photographer only has indoor experience, there may be a problem. Someone who mainly does sporting event photography in outdoor stadiums may not be the best choice for your small, intimate wedding at your local church. When a venue has particular features, like low ceilings, dim lighting, or stage lighting, it can cause problems for an inexperienced photographer with the incorrect equipment. Request to see event photography samples from those you interview which have been done at the same, or at least a similar, venue.
Pricing consideration As with any service you purchase, you should not let the price be the only or main factor when you make your decision. Unlike every day pictures, you only get one chance at your event photography. Price of event photography will be based on many things, such as the photographer’s years of experience, how long he will be required to be shooting pictures, and others. The actual event will be a large determining factor in price, as taking pictures at a large convention will differ greatly from taking pictures at the annual Christmas party.
What additional services are available? Does the photographer have spare equipment in case of a problem? Is there a back up photographer in case of emergency and do they have the same experience and expertise? Will the photographer have an assistant and other extras to get all the required shots? Can he make prints, photo albums and CDs of all the photos? Will retouching be available on the event photography he takes? All of these questions should be answered during the interview stage to make sure you are getting the most for your money!
By Rebecca Lanham
Reprinted with permission by WeddingPearl.com
