Supporting Clients With Event Photography
Supporting Clients With Event Photography
Many commercial photographers are recovering wedding photographers like me. After burning out on the long hours, pressure, bridezillas, and control freak clergy, many photographers evolve into their real passion, whatever that might be. For me, it’s corporate head shots and architectural photography.
Perhaps the last thing on our minds is putting one foot back in the water by shooting corporate events.
Prairie Brewfest, Eden Prairie Community Foundation
My clients consisting of firms in a wide variety of professional services sectors from law firms, engineering firms, accountants, architecture firms, banks, financial advisors and others devote a significant amount of resources to events. Even if they are relatively infrequent, events are an important way to develop business, thank existing customers, celebrate achievement, and support philanthropic causes. And, they often want professional photography assistance to help document those events. As a result, they will ask Silverman Be Remarkable to shoot event photography for them.
Holiday Party, ICS Consulting
Meeting Photos, SMPS Twin Cities
I also set aside time to photograph non-profit organizations on a pro bono basis helping them to promote fund raising events.
Because of my background in photojournalism and, yes, weddings, too, I feel I am particularly qualified to provide this service when my clients ask me to help.
Golf Tournament and Recognition Dinner, Sabes JCC
Event photography is about much more than taking pictures of the venue and detail shots like the centerpieces and food. It’s really about the people.
I approach this type of photography in the same way I would taking business professional headshots, exterior photography, interior photography, or other types of architectural photography.
Meeting, SMPS Twin Cites
Planning before the event is important. It’s important to know as much as possible about the layout of the venue, lighting, and logistics such as how to get access to the facility and getting permission to take pictures. I also visit with my client or the event organizer to find out what types of photos they want. Some clients just want to have photos of people having fun; others will want specific shots taken during presentations. Others will want photos of specific stakeholders or groups of people. I always ask for help from one or more event organizers to make sure I identify people to photograph at the event.
Isolating people for photographs is key to creating strong event photos. I use an “interrupter” style where I photograph over the shoulder of one person as the subject I am focusing on looks at that person. I try to catch someone smiling, laughing, or making a gesture. Taking a picture of someone while they are actually talking or chewing food is the least flattering.
Technically speaking, I try to shoot using available light instead of obtrusive strobes. I use a professional level DSLR enabling me to shoot at high ISO’s to increase luminance and minimize digital noise. I also use fast, ultra resolved lenses, to create sharp photos. My photos are instantly downloaded to an iPad allowing me to help my client promote the event real time through social media posting.
Bottom line: corporate event photography helps build and maintain client relationships.
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Silverman Be Remarkable
Steve Silverman
(o)952-844-0119
(m)952-905-1197
steve@silvermanberemarkable.com