Without wishing to put you off before the first paragraph is done, running events is no easy task. Indeed, throwing a party of any size or scope of ambition involves coordinating a huge number of moving, interconnected parts. From finding the perfect venue to hiring the right catering company, organising a successful, financially sustainable event can be a stressful process.
Whether you’re hosting a business conference or an award ceremony, a corporate bash or something more lowkey, you’ll need to hire a professional photographer to capture all the key moments, necessary to keep a record of the event, for social media platforms, publicity and more.
Though you can employ interns to snap pictures with their iPhones, there is no promise of consistency or quality. So, with that in mind and with the help of James Robinson, a well-known professional commercial photographer for corporate events, conferences, sporting events, award ceremonies and celebrations, here are 8 IDEAL tips for selecting the right event photographer.
GET RECOMMENDATIONS
Before reaching for the laptop and asking Google for help, see if your family, friends and colleagues can recommend anyone. Word-of-mouth has always been a powerful marketing tool for any business, and if someone you trust is willing to recommend a photographer, the chances are it’s because they did a great job previously.
LOOK AT SPECIALITIES
Whilst many photographers are versatile and capable of working on a diverse range of projects, ideally, you should look for one who specialises in your type of event. For example, a wedding photographer will have a different approach than a product photographer. Make sure you choose one with the right skill set for the event you’re hosting. As the guys at LW Studios tell us, it’s essential you seek out a photographer or studio who has experience across a broad range of styles and events.
CONSIDER PHOTOGRAPHY STYLE
Just like a writer, painter or any other creator, every photographer has their distinct photography style. So, when you’re comparing photographers, take their style into account. Do you need documentary-style images? Do you need more commercialised pictures for publicity? Do you want something artistic and abstract? That photography style should align with your requirements for the type of party you’re throwing.
FOCUS ON EXPERIENCE
Ideally you want to find a photographer with several years of experience in the industry. Whilst it can be nice to give an up-and-coming photographer a chance, there really is no substitute for experience – the skill of finding the perfect shot, managing the guests/attendees to get the best pictures possible, the aftercare and finessing of the pictures post-event…yep, it’s invaluable.
ASK FOR A PORTFOLIO
The best way to gauge a photographer’s skills is by taking a look at their portfolio. Professional photographers will always make a collection of their past works available, as it’s the best marketing tool for finding new business. If a photographer is hesitant to share their portfolio, allow those alarm bells to ring loud, and move on to other options.
SCRUTINISE REVIEWS
Thanks to the internet, consumers have a platform to freely express their opinions on products and services. Reading customer reviews will give you a good idea about a photographer’s professionalism and talent. Make sure to read them all – good and bad – and remember that sometimes a bad review is just personal opinion, not necessarily a sign of poor service. Make sure you do the scrutinising on a trusted platform with a proven track record of verification for reviewers, or you might just be reading the views of a load of bots.
ASSESS COMPATIBILITY
It’s important to have a certain level of compatibility with the photographer you decide to hire. You have to coordinate and work with this person throughout the course of the event. Are they easy to talk to? Will they accommodate your artistic input? Do they liaise quickly, efficiently and professionally? Hiring someone who’s difficult to work with will only add to the stresses of managing an event.
DISCUSS BUDGET
The amount charged by a photographer depends on a number of factors, including experience, equipment, the scale of the event and more. Before hiring a photographer, discuss your budget at length. You don’t want to end up paying hidden charges later on.