What Does An Event Photographer Do?

Q: What does an event photographer do and why should you hire a professional event photographer for your event?

A: You're planning a event you want people to enjoy and remember. As such, you've booked the best venue. Then hired the top catering firm. Finally, your entertainment is on point. Now, it's time to hire an event photographer to perfectly capture everything.

A professional event photographer will power your understand of your event's successes. They show you what you've accomplished. Plus a good event photographer provides the option to give guests a special take home.

It's vital to hire a professional event photographer as part of your event team to make your event truly memorable.

Hire An Event Photographer

Your event photographer's job is to help you show off your event. Great event photographers capture all the key moments. They do so in a way that heighten those moments. In fact, great event photographers know how to anticipate people. As a result they can capture your attendees and speakers at the perfect moment when they look their best.

Great event photographers work with you

Great event photographers work with their clients. Thus they understand the mood and goals for the event. Then they work to reflect that mood in their event photos. Hosting a serious event? Then expect the photos to look serious.

Hosting a light and fun event? Event attendees should be photographed laughing, smiling, and having a good time. Check your event photographer's portfolio. Obviously their work should demonstrate an ability to capture event photos similar to what you're looking for.

Expert event photographers are unobtrusive

Expert event photographers are committed to being unobtrusive. Therefore they know when to stay back at the margins. As a result they'll capture better candids. Additionally they know when to get in there and interact with the guests. As a result they relax your event attendees. Thereby allowing them to photograph your guests having the best time.

Read everything you need to know about hosting the perfect event.

Hosting One Time Events

Hiring an event photographer is important even if you're hosting a one-time event. Why? Because your guests love having photos to remember the event. This is especially true if you work with your event photographer to offer attendees copies of the event photos.

Event Attendee Keepsakes

Provide an online gallery or on-site printing. This will give your guests a keepsake. First, it provides you with extra positive marketing. Anytime those attendees show off their photo from your event they'll remember you organization. Too, most guests show those photos off on social media. Ultimately, offering attendees photos provides a great soft marketing boost.

Event Keepsake Tracking

Professional event photographers can provide tracking data. They can see the number of downloads. Too, they keep track of the number of prints provided through on-site printing. Ultimately, those numbers speak for themselves.

Guests wants a keepsake to remember the event. While everyone has a phone, those photos don't compare to having a professional event photographer. In addition you get those photos to use for marketing purposes.

Hosting Recurring Events

If you host recurring events hire a professional event photographer. Doing so will allow you to increase your marketing assets. In addition to everything listed above, those photos will increase interest in future events. This is especially true for annual or more regular events. Use last years photos to promote this year's event. As a result you'll show your audience exactly what to expect.

Build Your Event Marketing Assets

The biggest benefit to hiring an event photographer for repeated events is the marketing assets. Too, once you've found a great event photographer near you, they will continue to produce what you need year after year.

Clearly having more photos to choose from is helpful. That said, the benefits of having consistent photos year over year allows you to use previous years photos. In fact, you may find a particular photo from years prior helps illustrate this year's event the best. As a result, with a consistent look it won't look out-of-place next to last year's photos.

Professional Event Photography

Professional event photography makes a difference. You're not only paying for photos but for the photographer's years of experience. This matters more than you may realize.

Many event hosts have someone take phone photos of their first few events. Ultimately, those photos don't work for promoting future events. As a result attendance is lower than it otherwise would be.

Professional event photographers work with your AV team. Additionally, they capture your presenters at their best. Too, pros chat up the lighting crew to understand where the best light will be. Finally, they talk with whomever else needed to capture the best event photographs. Make sure your event looks as professional as possible. To do so, hire a professional event photographer.

Read what you need to know before hiring an event photographer.

Working with talent

Are you hiring professional talent to present at your event? Great event photographers will make sure they look their best. In fact, even if your speakers are less polished great photographers know how to make your speakers look amazing and professional.

The 5 C's

Great event photographer understand the 5 C's of event management. Further, they understand the role of the event photographer when it comes to those areas of focus.

Concept

Only hire an event photographer who understands the concepts and goals of your event. This should go beyond the theme of the event. Fully understanding the purpose, mood, and goals of your event is critical. Otherwise they won't be delivering photographs that tell the story of your event.

Coordination

Good event photographers stay in step by coordinating with your event team. Also, by being good at another "c" - communication. Communication must be a big focus for your event photographer. First, they must know when specific moments are going to happen, where they're going to happen, and to understand how best to photograph them. That's a hard ask for an intern with an iPhone.

If your budget is an issue, a lot of event photographers offer discounts. Plus, there are photographers interested in events but lacking experience. As a result, they provide deep discounted event photography. Plus, hiring an inexperienced event photographer is still usually better than leaving it up to an intern. After all, they have the gear and other experiences that will translate to event photography.

Control

A great photographer is invaluable when it comes to controlling your event messaging. Expert event photographers photograph your event in an exacting way. Ideally they match your expectation and goals.

Professional event photographers understand how to act, what to photograph, and what not to photograph. As the relationship with your event photographer develops you'll find they to be a reliable set of eyes. In fact, they will often notice details others miss which may negatively impact your guest experience.

Culmination

The culmination of your event planning all comes together the day of. For your event photographer, the event doesn't end until they deliver your event photos and ensure your satisfaction. Professional event photographers follow up. Too, they should offer a debrief. The event debrief provides you with valuable information which will help you understand your event successes.

Close Out

Closing out the event means your photos have been delivered, and that you and your clients are happy. Great event photographers keep your event photos available for at least one year. This way they're available for you to quickly download again next year. In many ways, your event photographer doesn't close out your event until long after the event ends.

Event Photography Examples

Have a look at some of my event photography examples by visiting my event photography gallery, viewing my work on Instagram, and having a look at some of my past client work. When you're ready to hire a professional event photographer in the Pittsburgh area click the button below to contact me about your event.