An event photographer’s job is to capture images that tell the story of not just the event, but the purpose of the event. And that purpose, invariably, is to promote and develop an idea targeting a specific audience.
Sometimes that idea is a brand promotion, sometimes it is the launch of a product or new service, sometimes it is an award ceremony – but though the specifics vary, the client’s goal is always the same: get good photos that tell our story how we want it told so that we can use the images to achieve our marketing goals. Not every event is marketing a product or a service, but every event is marketing (or promoting, or encouraging) an idea. That idea can be “generate higher employee engagement” or “fundraise for X cause” or simply “let people know who we are and what we do”.
As a highly experienced event photographer who has worked with several PR firms and marketing professionals, I understand that I am being hired to generate images that will help promote the brand/product/organization around which the event is being held. It follows that I take the time to understand that idea and apply my understanding in the moment when I am snapping photos.
This advance thinking about an event helps me do my job as an event photographer better. By understanding the promotional goals of the event (receiving advance copies of the marketing brief, or description of the purpose of the event ahead of time helps) I am better able to position subjects, focus on the important elements and deliver media or print ready images quickly for my client’s use.
My focus and single idea when working for my clients is clear: deliver top quality images, professionally and quickly that align with my client’s event goals.
