Corporate Event Photography – Everything You Need to Know

Avoid not knowing how to plan, organize, and charge for corporate event photography. Knowing the intention and how integral corporate event photography can be to a succesful corporate function will help you please and capture the moments your client expects.

erpbyalyson.com gathered the following information and tips to help you understand the structure and expectations of corporate event photography.

What Does a Corporate Photographer Do?

Corporate photography is the photography used to promote a business and the activities that they are involved in. A corporate photographer is someone who works with or for a company to help with the creation and promotion of their brand, products, events, and services.

How To Photograph Corporate Events

Knowing your purpose in the event will guide you to capturing the intended/expected shots. Are you taking candid shots at a fundraiser or gala? Will you be setting up a photo booth at an office party? Will you be getting formal shots of the executive team?

Long before a corporate event begins, you should meet with your client to determine your role and what they expect from you. Such a meeting will define what equipment, props, and help you will require to successfully provide the images or footage your customer expects from you.

How To Shoot a Corporate Event

Unlike other events, a corporate event is structured to promote a company’s employees, senior staff, brand, and products. Consider the following when taking on a corporate event shoot:

Make a shot list – While you may not think of corporate events as requiring a shot list, this is one of the most essential items to guide you through the event’s activities and memorable moments. When photographing a big event, take time long before the event to review the shot list with your customer and again just before the event to add or subtract images according to any event modifications.

Tip: Know who the event’s “stars and dignitaries” are so you can capture multiple shots of them interacting with event-goers, speaking, and posing with senior staff.

Know the event venue – Visit the venue before the event occurs. This will help you calculate where you should stage your equipment, extra lighting, and props.

Tip: Take a series of test shots to identify areas with low or excess lighting, and determine which settings will work best as backdrops during the event.

Dress for the occasion – If you’re photographing a formal event, dress to fit in with the other attendees (don’t worry, the camera will mark you as the event photographer). You’ll feel more comfortable approaching senior staff and executives if you’re dressed in a suit than if you were wearing jeans and a t-shirt.

Tip: Request any access badges or name tags in advance so you will have free access to and from the event when needed.

Get consent from attendees – If you have the opportunity to introduce yourself to the attendees (or someone announces your presence), advise the event-goers which area of the room they can sit in if they don’t want to be photographed.

Tip: Avoid taking shots of people eating, smoking, or engaging in any potentially compromising activities, and if you happen to capture what seems like an emotional or private moment, ask the subject(s) for their permission to use or submit the shot. Always seek parental consent before taking any pictures of their children.

Be polite to your subjects – Whether you’re shooting the CEO or the receptionist, treat everyone equally and respectfully. If someone asks you to take their picture, do so; even if you know they aren’t “significant” enough to make the final shot selection. You can spare their feelings, avoid confrontation, and simply delete the image later.

Avoid being a distraction – There isn’t much that could be more irritating than a photographer with “super star syndrome” consider the following:

• Avoid making any loud noises or sudden/disruptive movements during the event.
• Use natural lighting whenever possible to avoid using a flash.
• If you get close to the stage, avoid obstructing the audience’s view or distracting the presenter/speaker.

Note: As the event progresses, attendees will catch on to your activities and likely facilitate the shots you are attempting to capture.

Know who you report to – You may be communicating with several people during an event shoot, and the person who hired you may not be in attendance. Prior to the event, find out who to report to at the location or venue if you have any questions during the shoot.

Note: The shoot’s look, temperature, and feel will vary significantly depending on where the photos will be taken and for what they will be used.

How Much Should I Charge as an Event Photographer

While prices can range dramatically, you can expect to find rates ranging as follows:

• Event Photography Rates range from $150 to $500 per hour
• Wedding Photography Rates range from $50-250 per hour
• Full, edited packages can range from $2,000 to $5,000 or more

Note: Price your services according to your experience, equipment, availability, and event difficulty/requirements.

Corporate Event Photography

In this article, you discovered essential information and tips on how to efficiently plan, execute, and charge for corporate event photography.

Knowing how to organize a shot list and blend into the crowd at a corporate event will help you capture the images you require and exceed the expectations of those who hired you.

Ignoring the need to prepare for a corporate event will leave you randomly capturing shots, hoping they will satisfy the company’s needs and putting your reputation on the line.

Sources:
nyip.edu/photo-articles/photography-tutorials/how-to-photograph-big-events
gvsu.edu/ucomm/event-photo-coverage-44.htm