Quality event photography does a lot more than give a visual record of your meeting or conference. It will help pass on a feeling of place, capture essential moments and can serve as the “eyes” for people who couldn’t attend. Along with the growing use of on-site social media advertising, the need for good event photography is becoming more essential than in the past. Furthermore, quality photography has great value post-conference. Paying for professional photography gives you an image collection you need to use year-round across multiple platforms, which includes marketing and promotional materials. To start building that library, you have to find an experienced photography professional who is aware of the difficulties of shooting events and can meet your particular requirements. Here’s how to locate and work together with the right photographer for your next event.
- Choose an event professional. Event photography is a very specific field that needs its very own set of skills. Meetings, conferences and conventions could be particularly difficult to shoot due to combined lighting, dark scenes and multiple conditions, so an experienced freelance photographer in Dubai will have a way to work in different situations quickly, says Chris Savas, owner of Chris Savas Photography (full disclosure: writer’s spouse).
“A great event photographer has a photojournalistic style, has the ability to think on his feet and possess the right equipment to create the best results,” says Savas. “He must understand lighting, how to use accessible light or when to use strobe lighting, how to approach topics, and the way to shoot in different environments-meeting rooms or on stages.”
Even though word-of-mouth is among the best ways to find a good photographer, an alternative choice is studying online and trying to find experts who express the style of photography you’re looking for. Once you’ve refined it down to a few applicants, make a list of key questions, including:
> How much time are you currently capturing meetings and events?
> What sort of gear would you use, and have you got backup products if anything fails on-site?
> Would you shoot with an assistant, or would you work on your own?
> What number of your business includes conferences and conventions versus other sorts of events (such as weddings, bar mitzvahs and portraits)?
> Would you charge by the hour, day or event?
- Define your requirements and anticipations. In advance of meeting with applicants, evaluate which you would like to escape the event, says Patrick Schneider, owner of Patrick Schneider Photography. “When you’re speaking with the photographer, be absolutely clear on your expectations and know your allowance, or at a minimum possess a sense of what you’re dealing with,” he says.
“Remember, simply because an individual is out and buys an expensive camera doesn’t mean they’re a professional photographer, so study these folks. You need to be choosing the photographer like an applicant visiting work for your business,” Schneider adds.
An experienced photographer will also be sure to request his fair share of questions, such as the location of the event, the days and hours he is going to be likely to shoot, the sorts of images you’re searching for and how you’ll be utilizing the images. All of this can be put together into an event routine or shot list, which provides the photographer an obvious knowledge of where he must be at particular times, what and who you would like taken, and any arranging conflicts. Communicating specific event details assists the photographer to determine the job, create a precise estimate and prevent surprising, last-minute cost add-ons, says Savas.
Most family photographers in Dubai realize restricted finances and attempt to be versatile with rates, but whenever it involves pictures, you receive that which you purchase. “Are a person looking for a wedding photographer of record, somebody who’s simply likely to record what’s taking place around the stage, or are you searching for a photographer who’s not just likely to see what’s happening on-stage but additionally supply you with the key times, a feeling of place and images which have several uses past the hold and grin handshake shot?” Schneider asks. “You can’t get pictures that’s inexpensive, quick and successful.”
Provide the photographer a practical deadline for whenever you would like the photographs, and specify the way you would like them shipped, regardless of whether online or via portable drives. As soon as you and the photographer have arrived at an agreement on needs, anticipation, price and terms, it’s time for you to draft anything.