How to choose a corporate event photographer
Most portfolios look good, so it is hard to choose on them alone. The real differences come out in the small questions: what happens when a camera fails, when the pictures arrive, and who actually shows up on the day.
Seven questions to ask before you sign
Can I see one full event of this type?
Ask for a whole event, not the ten best pictures of the year. That shows you what an ordinary working day looks like.
Who actually shows up?
At a company with several photographers, make sure the portfolio you see belongs to the person who will shoot you.
What happens if gear fails?
An event does not repeat itself. Ask about a backup body, spare lenses and how files are backed up during the day.
When do we get the pictures?
Ask for a specific date for the full edited gallery, and whether pictures are possible during the event.
What are the rights?
Get it in writing that you can use the pictures on the website, in decks and in advertising, with no extra fee and no time limit.
How many photographers do we really need?
A good vendor asks about the schedule before answering. We explain this on our conference page.
What does preparation look like?
Who goes through the schedule with you, and who knows which moments cannot be missed? Without that call, even a good photographer is guessing.
Signs you should stop
- A final price before anyone asked about the schedule
- A portfolio of only weddings, when you are running a conference
- No clear answer about the delivery date
- Usage rights that are not written in the proposal
If your event is abroad
Ask whether the photographer has worked at that kind of destination, whether they travel with a full backup kit, and what permits or visas the work requires there. The rules for paid photography differ by country, and the answer should come before you book, not after.
Where we stand on this
This is what we commit to: fully backed-up gear, the edited gallery the day after the event, an on-site editor when you need pictures during it (as a paid add-on), and full commercial usage rights. Here is where our pictures have run.
Common questions
A photography company or a solo photographer?
It depends on the scale. For one stage, one experienced photographer is enough. When several things run in parallel, or when you need someone to step in if something goes wrong, a company with several photographers gives more security.
Should we hire a local photographer when the event is abroad?
It saves the flight, but a local photographer does not know your people or your company. Here is why companies still fly a photographer in.
Want to ask us these questions?
Send the date, the place and the type of event, and we will answer all of them.