Working With a Event Photographer
Business relationships, like any relationships, are a two-way street.
The expectations of both parties needs be clear and easily understandable.
Each situation where you require a photographer can be captured in so many ways, positions, angles and different light angles; it's pretty safe to say that there are no two identical photographs taken at any one time or place.
Until you have a strong business relationship with your photographer you just never know what you will get at the end of the day until you look through the images.
But what happens when you are looking for a specific photo of somebody on stage or receiving an award only to find that the photographer had spent his time taking guests happy snaps and table photos when he was suppose to capture the action on stage? It might sound strange, but it does happen.
How do you prevent such things from happening and getting the shots you are looking for? Supply a Brief or Run Sheet Events will usually run according to a run sheet for MCs, staff and also audio and visual staff.
However, don't forget your photographer because he/she won't know what's coming up next, and depending on lighting conditions may have to prepare their equipment settings.
Pre-Event Meetings If you haven't met your photographer prior to your big event then you could be shooting yourself in the foot.
Not only should you see their work, but how do they communicate, is their appearance going to attract or distract from your guests.
What backup plans do they have in place in case of equipment failure? During Event Checks Some photographers may find this annoying but that is their problem and they will have to deal with it.
During your event, you should ask the photographer if he has captured certain images and if possible show them to you either on computer or on the camera itself (as a lot of photographers are now shooting digital).
Communication is the key Let the photographer know exactly what you want to use the images for.
Different angles and styles of shots can work better for different uses.
What you want for an in house newsletter could be a lot different to what you need for a submitting to a trade magazine or to use in an advertisement.
The more information you can give your photographer, the better they will know how to best fulfill your needs.
There are many photographers around these days that have bought a digital camera but are lacking in training and experience.
You do not want to be spending tens of thousands of dollars impressing your clients or guests and having them looking forward to seeing photos that are disappointing and take away from the positive experience of your event.
Make sure you hire someone with a proven track record that you can rely on.
A good photographer only costs a fraction of what your overall spend on an event will be but is responsible for the all the PR and positive re-enforcement of the event after all your guests have gone home.
The expectations of both parties needs be clear and easily understandable.
Each situation where you require a photographer can be captured in so many ways, positions, angles and different light angles; it's pretty safe to say that there are no two identical photographs taken at any one time or place.
Until you have a strong business relationship with your photographer you just never know what you will get at the end of the day until you look through the images.
But what happens when you are looking for a specific photo of somebody on stage or receiving an award only to find that the photographer had spent his time taking guests happy snaps and table photos when he was suppose to capture the action on stage? It might sound strange, but it does happen.
How do you prevent such things from happening and getting the shots you are looking for? Supply a Brief or Run Sheet Events will usually run according to a run sheet for MCs, staff and also audio and visual staff.
However, don't forget your photographer because he/she won't know what's coming up next, and depending on lighting conditions may have to prepare their equipment settings.
Pre-Event Meetings If you haven't met your photographer prior to your big event then you could be shooting yourself in the foot.
Not only should you see their work, but how do they communicate, is their appearance going to attract or distract from your guests.
What backup plans do they have in place in case of equipment failure? During Event Checks Some photographers may find this annoying but that is their problem and they will have to deal with it.
During your event, you should ask the photographer if he has captured certain images and if possible show them to you either on computer or on the camera itself (as a lot of photographers are now shooting digital).
Communication is the key Let the photographer know exactly what you want to use the images for.
Different angles and styles of shots can work better for different uses.
What you want for an in house newsletter could be a lot different to what you need for a submitting to a trade magazine or to use in an advertisement.
The more information you can give your photographer, the better they will know how to best fulfill your needs.
There are many photographers around these days that have bought a digital camera but are lacking in training and experience.
You do not want to be spending tens of thousands of dollars impressing your clients or guests and having them looking forward to seeing photos that are disappointing and take away from the positive experience of your event.
Make sure you hire someone with a proven track record that you can rely on.
A good photographer only costs a fraction of what your overall spend on an event will be but is responsible for the all the PR and positive re-enforcement of the event after all your guests have gone home.
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