Event season is kicking off....have you booked your event photography yet? Here are some tips for your event photography brief

As an event photographer based near Reading, this is always a fun time of year as companies plan their end of year corporate events - everything from company awards, new site launches, team building activities to Christmas parties!  The role I play in this is capturing natural, candid photos of the event.

Sometimes, I get briefed 5 minutes before the event starts - but in an ideal world, the event photography brief will have been put together with a good deal of thought.  Here are a few hints and tips which may help you putting together your brief.

• What kind of event are you hosting?  Inc. rough numbers of attendees
• What sorts of photographs are you hoping to have afterwards? (eg; natural/candid images with some staged groups?).  If you have a clear idea, this will hugely increase your chances of getting the results you are looking for.
• Where is the event being held (inc. the exact room name - some locations have multiple events on at the same time!)
• Event timings - allowing a little time at the beginning for the photographer to scope out the venue.  Also, times of any specific things that are happening so the photographer can be in the right place at the right time.
• Do you require any specific headshots/team photos during the event
• Are there any special guests?
• Is there anyone who does not want to be photographed?
• What format do you require the photos to be in? I tend to supply photos in both high and low resolution
• Where will you be using the photographs? This may dictate whether the photographer shoots in landscape vs. portrait format
• Are there any specific shots you're looking for? If so - an outline shotlist would be helpful
• Will you need any 'highlight' photos for social media posts quickly after the event?
• Are there any speeches/awards happening at your event? If so, brief your photographer exactly what time this is expected to happen.  Also, mention if you need a photograph of the award recipient with the speaker (known as a 'grip and grin') immediately as they receive it.
• What is the dress code for the event - this is helpful for the photographer to decide what is appropriate to wear
• Is the venue especially dark? If so, the photographer may need to bring special equipment
• Are there any photographs you specifically don't want? eg: high profile people who don't want to be photographed, or who will be leaving the company etc...
• Double check your photographer has professional indemnity insurance

If you have not as yet chosen a photographer for your event, please take a look here at my gallery of event photography and do get in touch for an informal chat to see if I can help.  I look forward to hearing from you. 

With best wishes. Pennie

Pennie Withers Photography Website