Hiring an event photographer is a great way to remember the moments of your corporate conference, cocktail party, wedding, or company retreat. Choosing the right photographer for your event is important - especially since you will want the photos for future event marketing, or just reminisce on your life’s special moments. There is nothing worse than spending time picking a photographer and then not liking the photos they capture - so use these tips to make sure you pick the right person to capture your event.
Know your budget.
Lots of people will tell you that a good photographer is one of the things that is worth the money. By knowing what your budget is you’ll be able to narrow down the photographers you can hire, or it will help you reconsider the scope of what you will want them to capture (instead of having a photographer for four hours, maybe two hours is enough). Keep this top of mind when searching for your event photographer.
Decide on your photographic style.
Be sure to think about what the photos will be used for, and if it matches the style of your photographer. For social events, you’ll want a photographer that specializes in capturing candid moments. If you need a photographer for a corporate event where you’ll use the photos for future event promotion, you’ll want them to capture more polished moments.
Ask for references.
When researching and finding a photographer, don’t be afraid to ask them for references of people they have worked with before. Most photographers will be happy to share what people have said about them in the past. Even better if they are able to share contact information so that you can reach out to them yourself.
Ask Your Venue For A Referral.
One of the best ways to find a reputable photographer is to ask your venue contact if they have any photographers they could recommend. Most venues have a list of preferred vendors they are willing to share. But choosing a photographer the venue recommends or has worked with before, you can be sure that you’ll get someone who is familiar with the space and the best spots for photos.
Check Out Their Instagram.
When researching your photographer, be sure to check out their Instagram. They will likely have posted some photos of their previous gigs and you will be able to get a good sense of what their style is, how they take photos and what you can expect when working with them. Be sure to also check out their website, and any reviews they have posted online!
Find out their experience with events of approximately the same size as yours.
Let them know how many people you are expecting at your event, and ask if they have a lot of experience handling events of this size. Ask what they found challenging, exciting, and/or interesting about working an event of that size. Feel them out to make sure they can handle your event. Listen to any concerns they may have.
Find Out What’s Included In The Quote.
When getting quotes from photographers, they may offer to throw in some freebies or extras. Be sure to discuss and be clear about what is included. For instance, some wedding photographers may throw in an engagement shoot for free. Or a photographer doing a corporate event may offer free touch-ups for ten photos.
Ask about their turnaround time.
Taking photos is only part of a photographer's job - the other part is going through hundreds of photos and doing touch-ups and edits - which can take some time. Most photographers will be working with multiple clients at a time and will have thousands of photos to edit at any given time - so knowing when you expect your photos are helpful and will set expectations. A good turnaround time is two to four weeks.
Make sure you have good chemistry.
Finally, it’s important that you feel a good chemistry between yourself and your photographer since you will be working with them for the duration of your event and that you feel comfortable around them. Are they easy to talk to and do they freely answer all your questions? You’ll want to be sure they are generally a friendly person with good social skills who puts people at ease when photographing them.
Meet prior to the event and review expectations.
Now that you have decided on your photographer, you should plan to meet with them prior to the event so that you can review your expectations along with any specifics you want them to cover. For example, let them know if you want them to take photos of the event location before your attendees arrive. Give them a run-down of the event schedule so they are aware of all the main elements to photograph.
Still, looking for a venue? Browse thousands of restaurants, hotels, and unique venues on EventUp to find the perfect venue in a city near you.
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