As a photographer, your job is to capture memorable moments. When I first started photography my passion grew quickly when I understood the impact images have. This impact is what continues my passion for capturing people’s personal and professional milestones. Photographing an event requires both technical skill and the ability to connect with people. It is important to have a clear understanding of what is expected from you. There are specific steps that should be taken in order to ensure quality and high level execution when taking photos. Those steps include, preparation ahead of time, understanding roles and expectations, having an eye for detail, and making subjects feel comfortable.

STEP ONE: Preparedness and Knowledge is Key!

Prior to the event, it’s important to do your research, learn the sequence of events and familiarize yourself with the event location. Any photographer will want to ensure there are no surprises. You should have a clear understanding of what is to take place during the timeframe you are delegated. An additional advantage is touring the event space beforehand. This will allow you to get a sense of lighting and potential backdrops to ensure your confidence in your surroundings. 

Awesome Inc creates a play by play for every 5 Across event. This covers bases for all team members throughout the entirety of the event. I personally love having this resource to reference during the event itself. It guarantees everyone is on the same page.

STEP TWO: Arrive Early, NOT on Time!

On the day of the event, it is important to arrive at the venue early to re-familiarize yourself with the lighting conditions, and to get a sense of the overall atmosphere. Take a couple minutes to confirm your shot list and expectations with the organizers to ensure everyone is on the same page. This will also allow you time to give input on setup, set up any lighting if needed and find your ‘home base’. 

The Awesome Inc team typically shows up three hours early to set up and prep for the event. Whether I am on the direct team or subcontracted, I always try to give myself extra ‘cushion time’ to be a helping hand if the event coordinators have any questions that could potentially impact my photos.