How to get the best photos of your event
Getting the best event coverage is mostly about getting the right photographer to match your vision for the day, but here are some things you might want to consider to help them get only the best shots!
Background
Think about what you want people to remember most. The setting or the speakers and performers? This isn’t a trick question! It can be either or both. You might want the photos to capture things differently from what the public sees.
Simple, solid backgrounds naturally pull our attention to the subject, while patterns and logos can distract. Both have their purposes, but keep in mind what you want to see in the final photos versus the setting on the day.
Lighting
What looks great in real life may not always be the best for the final photos. Think of all the times you've thought what a gorgeous sunny day it is whilst many photographers pray it will be overcast on the day of a shoot. But that's not all there is too it!
If you have an event in the evening or the venue is quite dark (like a church), it’s helpful to have white ceilings or walls for your photographer to bounce flash off of. One of the hardest jobs I’ve had to do was an outdoor party in the evening with very little ambient lighting. Dark walls and ceilings can also be very challenging. DJ lights can look very cool in real life, but expect photos to come out with varied lighting situations! Despite all this, your photographer will be able to adapt and create the necessary lighting artificially. So the best you can do is to let them know in advance what the venue and lighting situation is like, so they can come fully prepared!
ANGLES
In the hustle and bustle of event planning, angles of photography might not even cross your mind. Event photography is largely documentary, with no chance for a reshoot. So we often have to make do with what we have. I’ve heard comments about double-chins and unflattering angles in situations where the photographer had no space to be except right under the stage and well… That what that angle brings.
Photographers, me included, often will get creative and climb on top of things to get those shots (where are my fellow stepladder folks at??).
But why not talk to your photographer beforehand and ask about the best place they’d need to be at to get the shots you want?
Quick tip: it’s generally better to be positioned at eye-level or above.
Photographers, me included, often will get creative and climb on top of things to get those shots
Nastia Nizalova, Dover, Kent
TIMELINE
Speaking of preparation, let your photographer know the full timeline of your event and key moments ahead of time. That way they will have a better chance of being in the right place at the right time and not be caught by surprise!
You might not know this, but certain scenarios may require additional setup from the photographer. While you might want to keep the fireworks a surprise for all attendees, your photographer would need to adjust their lighting ahead of time and get the money making shot.
TALK TO YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER
Your photographer will probably want to go over the details with you in advance. I always schedule a call to ask about the venue, amount of guests and any requests my clients have. But these are just some little things you might want to consider for the next event, and if in doubt, discuss it with your event photographer. That's the one sure-fire way to ensure everything goes smoothly!
