A Beginner’s Guide to Event Photography

By Jetweb
Event photography can be a daunting task for a new photographer. There are so many variables that could potentially go wrong when one is starting out such as: not being at the right place at the right time, other people’s cameras interfering with the flash and people getting in the way of the “perfect shot” – because there are no re-do’s with live action, out of studio, photography. Here are a few tips and tricks to taking photos for an event:

Equipment: Decent equipment is essential to event photography or any photography for that matter. It is important to have an SLR camera which allows the photographer to change shutter speed and aperture to insure that the photo is well lit and clear. SLR cameras take photos at a higher resolution than a standard “point and click” camera which will result in better quality photos for the event.

It is important to know the equipment well. The photographer must know how to change the shutter speed and aperture for the lighting available. In event photographer, the event can move from indoors to outdoors and into different lighting and the photographer must know how to adjust accordingly and quickly so they do not miss anything.

Techniques: There are many techniques which can be employed for event photography. It is a good idea to group people up at events and take photos to ensure that everyone is captured at the event. However, it is always good to keep in mind that candid photos make great photos because they convey true emotion. The composition of a photo is easier to control in group photos and something that must be worked for candid photos. The photographer must know how to compose a photo in an instant so they do not miss a moment or compromise the photo. This can also be practiced by taking a camera to a random event and practicing there.

The most important thing for a photographer when doing event photography is to always remain focused. It can be very easy to become overwhelmed when taking photos for an event because the photographer can only be in one place at a time; however, with enough practice and professionalism on the day of the shoot, the photographer should be able to produce quality photos that everyone will be happy with.