Event photography is an art on its own, if done right it can do wonders for your business. At any event, you would find smiles being exchanged, contacts being formed, future partnerships being built, knowledge exchange, skills being learned, and a general atmosphere of positivity. Capturing these events in a photograph can help you tell a story about your staff, your business, your values, and your company’s personality that cannot be told effectively in any other way. With a professional event photographer, you can expect an artistic capture of your event.
You might think that we all have a smartphone these days, so anyone can just take these event photographs. Can you rely on your audience or your appointed staff with a camera to capture the key moments of the event? We always recommend to clients that a professional event photographer is worth every single penny.
To discover what qualities you should be looking for when hiring a local event photographer, keep reading!
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Define Your Event
Before you start looking for a professional event coverage services, you need to understand what kind of photographs you are looking for. You need to build a vision ahead of time that demonstrates how you want to document your event. The perspective that you have in your mind is what you are going to share with your chosen photographer. They can provide feedback and elaborate on the mood you’re hoping to capture. Moreover, a professional photographer will understand which moments are worth capturing and attempt to work your vision into each photograph.
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Decide on the Photographic Style
The most important thing to look for when hiring a photographer is his expertise. Different photographers have different content specialties, for example, a wedding photographer knows the best shots to capture during a wedding. Similarly, a corporate event photographer knows how to use dramatic lighting, backdrop, and poses to capture the personality and style of executives and employees for the website or print material. So, it’s good to decide on the photographic style you like best for your event. Do you prefer candid shots or want more posed, formal, or traditional photos? Think through everything before you move forward.
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Look at The Portfolio
It is vital to look at the portfolio and testimonials or references for any photographer you are considering working with. Specifically, look at examples of other event work and similar projects they have undertaken and most importantly ensure that you like their style and creative flair.
When looking to hire a photographer, you should always ask for their portfolio with examples of shots – specifically event shots. This will allow you to compare the different styles each photographer uses, and you can see which of the portfolios matches your branding or business style.
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Evaluate Reputation
After you’ve looked at what the photographer says about themselves (through words and images) it’s good to get an outside opinion. Check them out on social media, check their website reviews, testimonials, business reviews on Clutch. Photographers will select their very best images to be placed in their portfolio. You’ll get a better idea of their standard work if you look for images outside of their curated portfolio.
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Ask Questions
Once you have shortlisted even photographers whose style you like and whose skills align with your event needs, it’s time to meet them. This is your chance to make sure your research is accurate. Share the details about your event and the ideas you have in mind. If you have a specific shot list, then this is a good time to share those with the photographer. You can also ask him different questions like the turnaround time to deliver the pictures or how many events has the photographer covered in the past.
After asking these questions, if you find the candidate suitable for the job then you can ask him for an estimate for the shoot. Ask him to provide detailed estimates about the traveling, shooting, processing, and other accommodations.
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Consider Budget
When you hire a professional photographer, you will definitely be getting your money’s worth due to their experience, work ethic, and the quality images they deliver. It will greatly benefit your business and help you expand to a larger audience. Don’t underestimate the power of pictures, they are the only way to make memories and enhance your company’s image.
Get at least 3 to 4 estimates from different photographers and compare them according to their specialties. Also, take into account the hidden charges that may exceed your budget later.
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Experience Matters
When you are hiring an event photographer for covering an important event like conferences, charity events, or a trade show, then the photographer should have a hundred percent accuracy in selecting the right settings at the right moment to click the perfect shot. And, all this comes with a lot of experience. This is why we recommend choosing someone with experience of at least 5 years. The more you speak to the event photographer, the more idea you will have about their experience level.
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Consider Negotiating
As a client, you have the right to negotiate. So, make sure you negotiate on the price if you think it is something more than your budget. However, it’s wise not to compromise on quality for a cheaper cost. If you are low on budget, the best thing would be to get some of the extra shot lists out of the way and focus on the major shots. It’s a great idea to have a good relationship with an event photographer and to use their services all the time as it can bring down the budget and you know the quality as well.
Make sure to follow all the tips mentioned above while hiring an event photographer. Don’t just go only for experience or name, try to have a balance between both so your event photography partner can bring the best out of your event.
Looking for a professional event photographer in Dubai?
Get in touch for more details or check out our portfolio.
