What is event photography?
Event photography captures guests, the environment, and special moments at any occasion or event.
You should consider event photography if you want a photography career that will keep you busy throughout the year. There are always events around you, no matter where you reside. People want to remember and capture these moments. Since there is always something happening, you will not have to worry about low seasons as you would with other careers.
What’s the best part? It’s not necessary to have a lot of experience to become an event photographer. There are many opportunities to develop your skills and confidence. You’re in the right place if we’ve peaked your interest.
What is event photography exactly?
Photographing any group gathering or event is called event photography. Event photography includes a variety of different styles, but the main feature is that it involves candid shots as events unfold.
It’s also difficult to get started if you have only ever shot in controlled environments.
You can play around with the lighting or the subject until you get the perfect image with studio photos. Even though event photos are not as forgiving, the unpredictable element is what makes them interesting.
You’ll probably market yourself at first as a general photographer. You may find as you gain experience that one type of event photography is your forte or something you really enjoy. You can then specialize in any of the different types of professional event photography.
There are many types of event photography.
Wedding photography is probably the event photography specialty that you are most familiar with. It is an important and difficult type of event photography. Most people consider this a very important day and want to remember it fondly for the rest of their lives.
Wedding photography is a huge subject, and we won’t go into detail here. However, all the tips and guidelines for event photography are also applicable to weddings.
You can also specialize in event photography by:
- Corporate photography. Corporate photography is one of the most lucrative types of event photography. Corporate event photography includes things like corporate gatherings and conferences. It’s an excellent way for to make money as a professional photographer.
- Private event photography. You would photograph birthday parties, weddings, baptisms, and family reunions as a private event photographer.
- Photography for theatre, concerts, dances, and other performances. Creative event photography differs from standard event photography in that the equipment required is different.
- Sports Photography. This type of event photograph also requires specialized gear, and your shot list will look very different from other types.
You can choose to specialize in any type of event photography so long as there is a large enough market to support your career. You might not be able to fill your schedule in a small city with concert photos, but you can certainly do it in a large one.
What is the best way to start shooting event photos?
A portfolio can be a powerful tool in helping you find new clients for event photography. How can you get your first client if you do not have a portfolio? Offer your event photography for free a few times to learn the basics of event photography.
You can’t shoot events for free forever. Consider offering to photograph a friend’s birthday or a local business or organization in your area. You can also offer to cover an event. Consider this a practice session: Since they aren’t paying you any money to cover their event, your stress level will be lower than if it were a big, expensive event.
This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t treat these events with the same level of seriousness as you would take them if they were being paid. You should still follow the steps that we have discussed here to refine your event photography and become comfortable with the various aspects of a successful day. So that when you create your online portfolio, it is full of shots you are proud of.
Event photography equipment
You don’t need to worry about studio lighting and equipment when you are shooting events. You won’t be packing light, but you will need the correct camera, lenses, flash, and possibly a diffuser or tether.
Best cameras for event photography
If you’re interested in event photography, there are some key features that can make the job easier. This roundup of the top wedding cameras can help you make an informed decision. Consider these factors when choosing your camera:
- Durability and battery power. The day of an event photographer is often long. Choose a camera you’re comfortable with and one that has a good battery life. Or you can buy several batteries for it.
- DSLR cameras vs. Mirror less Cameras can do the job, but the lenses available on DSLRs are better for event photography.
Some excellent options, which aren’t the most expensive ones, include:
- Nikon D750, $1500. This 24.3 MP full-frame body is very popular for wedding photography, so you can be sure it will capture your event. Two SD card slots are another feature that you will appreciate.
- Canon EOS 6D Mark II $1700. This full-frame 26 MP option performs well in low-light conditions, making it an ideal choice for event photographers.
- Sony a7III, $2000. This 24.2 MP full-frame mirrorless camera is loved by event photographers because of its unmatched autofocus, high ISO performance, and long battery life. Sony E-mount lenses are more affordable than Canon or Nikon equivalents. The Sony e-mount lens has video capabilities, making it a versatile tool for event photography and videography.
Best lenses for event photography
The type of event photography that you plan to do will determine the lens that’s right for you. You will likely be shooting indoor events in low-light conditions. A fast lens is essential to ensure you get sharp images in these situations. You will go far with a versatile prime lens such as the Nikon f/1.4 (460.00) since event coverage photography often involves taking portraits.
What if you are shooting a large conference hall or other event? A zoom lens allows you to capture the action in a large space without the need to move around to get closer to your subject. You should invest in a zoom lens that delivers the same image quality as a prime. While not cheap, a lens like the Canon EF 24mm f/2.8L USM is a great workhorse.
Lenses should be chosen based on the conditions you shoot in. For concerts and shows, you will usually be shooting in dark theaters. To capture sports action, you’ll need a telephoto lens.
Event photography accessories
Bring along all the accessories you might need to have a successful day of shooting.
- A flash. Use a flash mounted on the hot shoe instead of your camera’s built-in flash. This will give you more natural and flattering results.
- A diffuser. A diffuser may be too much for many event photography jobs and attract more attention than you desire. If you are shooting an event that will require you to capture portraits as people arrive, like a charity ball or red carpet, then a diffuser could be useful for creating flattering images.
- A tether. If an event isn’t live-posted on Instagram, was it really even held? Your client may ask you to send photos of the event as it unfolds, depending on what kind of event you are shooting.
Event photography pricing
Are you wondering how much money you can make as a photographer for events? It’s okay! As with all photography types, you have a range of possible event photography rates. Considers the experience level of your photographer and the type of event when determining pricing. The pricing for small event photography will be lower than that of a special event or corporate photography.
Special offers on event photography
Professional event photographer in oxfordshire can charge between $100 and $250 per hour, while in-demand photographers may charge even more. You might want to set your rates lower when you first start out. However, remember that for every hour you spend at an event, you will also have time spent planning and editing.
You can offer your clients a variety of options by offering them a selection of event photography packages. Your packages should include how many hours of shooting you’ll do and how many photos you’ll deliver. They also need to define pre-shoot discussions or meetings so that the client knows that you are aware of their needs.
When determining your event photographer’s pricing, it is a good idea to create packages for a half-day and a full-day. The quarter-day package can have a slightly higher hourly rate, while the full-day package has the most attractive hourly rate. You should define in your packages how you will charge the client for extras, such as additional hours on the day of the event or more final images. This allows the client some flexibility. You can also search for “what do event photography near me charge” to get a better idea of the rates in your locality.
How to make money as an event photographer
You can earn extra money in addition to your rates as an event photographer by:
- You can create an event gallery for attendees to download photos from if your client permits it. You can charge a fee for the private use of photos or a simple downloading fee.
- Print packages for your clients to choose from.
How to create a contract
Contracts are essential, even if they’re not fun to make. You can find free templates on the internet to help you get started. Make sure you include these things:
- Prices and payment terms, including deposit amounts and when final payment and the deposit are due
- Date and time you expect to arrive
- Additional hours are charged at the same rate.
- How will the images arrive
- Copyright Details (in many cases, the client retains the copyright, and you retain the copyright)
- A release form is available if necessary.
Prepare for the day of the event
Learning how to photograph an event requires you to take the necessary steps to prepare. You should have a point of contact who is responsible for communicating important information. Your point of contact should be able to answer the following questions:
- What will be the schedule for the day? Can I get a copy of the itinerary to plan my shots in advance?
- Do you need to capture certain people? Are they wearing nametags, or are there other ways to identify them?
- Do you have any specific key shots that the client would like?
- Can I check out the venue before the event to make sure it has the same lighting as the day?
- What is the expected delivery date?
A checklist of all the equipment you need to use is a good way to prepare. Make sure to check it several times before shooting to ensure that nothing has been missed. Check the list line-by-line on the day of your shoot to make sure you have all the equipment. Even though it may seem overkill, successful event photography relies on planning and preparation. The moments you are there to capture cannot be recreated.
A shot list that you can consult during the event is also a great way to ensure a satisfied client.
Acing your shoot
It’s important for most events to be friendly and to even mingle a bit with the crowd. It’s important to smile, make people feel comfortable, and not jump right into long conversations. You can identify guests by chatting a bit. This will help you take pictures of those that your client has asked you to focus on.
You won’t know who to include in every group photo, so make sure to have someone on hand who will help you get everyone together.
Try to imagine yourself as the event organizer. It’s likely that they spent hours on every detail of the event. You’ll delight them when you show that you took note of the details and captured them.
There will always be posed pictures, but there is nothing like a flattering, candid photo. As an event photographer, your job is to capture candid moments.
Do not be afraid to ask your contact if they would like to serve as a reference at the end. If you mention it during the event, they are more likely to provide a testimonial. You can send a formal request to them after you have delivered the final images. Give them an incentive for spreading the word, like a discount on your next shoot or extra photos if you refer someone.
Preparing your event photos for delivery
After a large event, you may have thousands of photos to sort through. Lightroom is one of the best software programs for event photography because it allows you to quickly and easily browse through an enormous catalog. Once you have a look at the photos that are five stars, hopefully, the number of images will be more manageable.
Add your Watermark to the images and upload them into a proofing gallery for your clients on your website. It’s the easiest way for your clients to make selections. They’ll also love that they don’t have to download large files onto their computer.
Check if your presets work with your photos. You can edit one photo, then use the batch-edit on the rest to create a uniform look.
It’s not necessary to edit your subjects as much as you would if you were doing an editorial shoot. However, it is a good idea for you to check that the skin tone looks natural and flattering. You want to present photos to clients they will be proud to see.
You can upload your photos to your website once you’ve taken a few. You don’t yet have a website? No worries! You can get a website up and running quickly with a website creator. Choose a website builder with a trial to play around and see if you can find a theme that suits you.
