There are different types of photography – event photography is just one of them.
What is event photography exactly, and how it differs from other forms of photography, you wonder?
As you can logically conclude from its name, event photography implies taking photos of people at diverse events. The events can range from corporate ones, weddings, birthdays, festivals, and charity events to board meetings and many more. These photos aim to showcase how people connect and bond as well as key moments of the event.
To be able to photograph an event well, a photographer needs to have a very broad skill set. However, if you are a beginner, you might benefit from learning more about some useful photography tips that can make you shine.
First of all, you need to use the right equipment and gear as well as master your camera settings. Moreover, you should communicate with your client to learn more about what it is that they are trying to achieve with the photos. It would be advisable to create a hit list – more on that later on. Additionally, you should be mindful of your manners.
1. Use the right equipment and gear
Having the right gear is quintessential for every photographer. To be considered a professional, you need to produce quality photos, which requires a high-end camera. Besides the camera, you also need to have appropriate lenses, flash kits, and other things, such as diverse photography backdrops for unique photos. Not only that – you also need to know all your equipment and gear from the inside out. Even the most expensive equipment is worthless in the hands of somebody who doesn’t know how to use it properly. You can watch reviews and tutorials online. At least, nowadays, that is easy and accessible. Don’t forget about the lighting and accessories as well, they are an important aspect of your photography gear.
2. Master your camera settings
As we already mentioned shortly, good photographers know their cameras too well. This is an especially important tip when it comes to a beginner. Before accepting to shoot a certain event, make sure that you know all about your camera features. It would be good to practice some shoots and try out these different options before your first real shoot. What you need to understand is that mastering one setting individually won’t do the job. You need to master all settings and have them work together to create stunning photos. When it comes to your camera specifically, there are a few things you should pay special attention to. These include shutter speed, aperture, ISO, continuous shooting, and RAW, among other things. Get deeper into the matter and learn all you can about these distinct aspects of your camera.
3. Communicate with your client
Along with great equipment and knowledge about using it properly, you also need to employ your people skills and communicate with your client. In that way, you can understand better what your client aims to achieve with this particular shoot and what kind of photos he’d like to see. Communication is crucial for any type of event in question, and you shouldn’t skip it by no means. You can start by showing your client your past work and see what they like and don’t like. If you don’t have any photos to show, you can show them some photos of how you imagined shooting it so that they get a visual. Another thing you can do is create a checklist of questions to ask them to learn more about their shooting needs and preferences.
4. Create a hit list
Creating a so-called hit list is also a valuable step you can and should take as a beginner especially. It is, in fact, a detailed plan of the shooting. It implies creating a running sheet that you can either print out or keep on your phone. This running sheet contains the flow and key elements of the event. It helps you as you always know when is each of these moments, so you can be there to take photos of it. Moreover, you should also have the types of images your client wants you to take as well as to avoid. You can also share this sheet with your client to check if everything is fine. This running sheet also doubles as an insurance policy for agreed terms and your work.
5. Mind your manners
A photographer is expected to have good manners. That means showing up well on time, before client meetings, and especially before events. Also, you should check out the dress code and dress accordingly – you don’t want to stand out from the crowd. Additionally, you shouldn’t be pushy and ruin key moments with obtrusive behaviour. Instead, it should feel as if you weren’t even there.
Being a beginner in any industry has its challenges. With hard work, effort, and motivation, you can achieve the status of being called a professional. It’s important to understand that right from the beginning.
