Photographing a corporate event can be a real challenge. But with the right planning and preparation, you can perfectly cope with the situation. Here are the pro tips to make your shoot flawless and unforgettable for your client.
Ask the organizer for the full event schedule
A photographer needs to know what will happen when it happens and who the important people are to click on. Getting the full event schedule will save you a lot of time planning the shoot and will be able to organize the moments to capture in the right order. So you can also capture every important moment for your customer.
Mostly, corporate events are organized indoors with dimly lit rooms. If you are unsure, I recommend looking at the location before the main event and analyzing the lighting conditions beforehand.
Getting an overview of the location and lighting situation before filming will help you avoid the shortcomings of low light and poorly lit subjects.
Knowing the event schedule has another benefit: it will help you choose the right equipment and prepare you to avoid possible mistakes and errors.
The right equipment for the job
To perfectly photograph a company event, you don't always need the most unusual equipment.
An external flash unit with reflector or diffuser, a full-frame DSLR with mid-range zoom, memory cards and additional batteries are the outstanding items that you should carry with you.
If the event is organized in a large banquet then a telephoto lens must be considered, on the contrary, in the case of a compact venue, a wide angle lens is a necessity for you.
Come a little earlier for the pre-event pictures
If you get to the venue 20-30 minutes earlier, depending on the requirements of the event, you are sure to reap the benefits of the shoot. This is exactly the time that you can develop a relationship with the guests of the event. So when the event starts, guests can more conveniently ask you to have their picture taken. Being friendly with the people you are going to photograph will create a kind of chemistry in the shots. If you're a fan of pre-event photography, this is your moment to capture the perfect pre-event photos.
Use the RAW image format to take pictures
Of course, this always applies and is a must. If you want to collect the highest quality images, shoot in RAW format. The RAW format helps you record all of the data from the sensor, giving you the highest possible image quality you can get. Adapting the JPEG format with Photoshop or Lightroom would be tedious, especially in poor lighting conditions. Using the RAW format makes it easier for you to correct overexposed and underexposed photos. I can forever explain why taking photos in RAW is so important, use it when you have enough space on your hard drives!
While getting photos of attendees enjoying the event is important, it's also an important point in getting more abstract shots that are not focused on individuals. This is quite important when using your event photography for marketing purposes. Both the focused and the abstract photos have their own value and appeal.
Do not interrupt important dialogues
One of the most important tips for reporting on the corporate event shoot, which is also a basic etiquette. The body language and facial expressions of the people are sufficient for a photographer to recognize when an important conversation is taking place. When you sense that a crucial or important conversation is taking place, try to capture it in such a way that your work does not interrupt those involved in the conversation. Also, make sure that your presence around them does not compromise your intentions while taking the picture.
Who knows if a click at the wrong time will cost your customers a fortune? So you better be vigilant and cultured.
Don't take photos of the people who are eating
This is one of the biggest mistakes photographers make when reporting on a corporate event. Photos of people who put food in their mouth or when their mouth is open. You will never want to show these images to your customers and audience, just avoid them.
