Authentic event photography in reportage style
Every event is unique, and that’s exactly what makes event photography so appealing. For me as a photographer, experience and good preparation are very important prerequisites for capturing those special moments.
This article is about what I pay particular attention to before, during and after the photo shoot in order to deliver first-class results. The overall experience of an event arises from the interaction of all actions: The impact of the space, the guests, the words spoken, the catering as well as the lighting experience.
My style is the reportage style. I mingle unobtrusively with the guests and capture all the key moments that make your event so special. At the same time, I look ahead to details that are important from a marketing perspective: The group picture with the sponsors, or the minister talking to the future CEO who doesn’t actually have time.
By getting close to the action without forgetting the view from the outside, an authentic photo reportage is created with a “I want to be there” effect.
My strength is to think strategically and at the same time have a very good feel for everything that is difficult to convey with words. It’s about style, about values that are lived and about corporate culture. But it’s also about marketing. In corporate communication, a photo production is always an investment in order to achieve the communication goals. I am aware that the event photos not only have to meet a creative standard, but should also “sell”.
I attach particular importance to the following aspects when photographing events.
1st briefing: So that the event photos show what is important
Even before packing the equipment, it is good to know what is important for the photos and what the general conditions are during production. As an event photographer, I ask myself the following questions:
– What is the schedule and timing?
– What do the premises look like?
– Which people are particularly important?
– Which group photos are needed?
– What will the event photos be used for later (also in print or only online?)
– How important are portrait format photos?
– By when do the first photos for the press releases have to be ready?
– Who will the photos be made available to later?
– Are short video interviews also planned?
– Is there a dress code?
All these questions can be clarified in the briefing discussion.
2. provide orientation
As an introduction to a reportage, it is always good to give the viewer a feel for the space. I show the event location from the outside and the conference room from the inside as a long shot, but also the faces exploring the room. To tell the story of the day with event photos, I not only photograph the highlights, but also the surroundings. I use different camera positions and focal lengths to show details and the big picture.
3. observe more and stage less
Authentic shots of people work best when they don’t feel like they’re being watched. I therefore make sure that I mingle with the audience as inconspicuously as possible. Dressing appropriately for the occasion and moving quietly are just as important as unobtrusive technology. My camera equipment is as large as necessary and as compact as possible.
The photographer’s charisma should also not be underestimated, and in my case it is always benevolent. People can sense whether the photographer is taking a photo or shooting it.
If someone turns away from me the moment I approach him or her with the camera, I fully respect that. It’s perfectly okay not to want to be photographed.
Group photos
If the opportunity arises for a group shot, that’s wonderful. I’m sometimes meticulous, arrange the positions and pay attention to the details – how the hair falls and whether the tie fits properly.
4. be prepared for the highlights
Of course, the highlights are particularly important. For me, this means being prepared in the right place at the right time. To do this, it is essential to know the agenda and to know in advance when which highlights are planned.
I rely on my intuition and my many years of experience to determine which perspective and which camera setting is best to capture the special moment. Because unplanned things can sometimes happen, a high degree of flexibility is necessary for me as an event photographer in order to be able to react quickly and appropriately. For me, flexibility also means that I always arrive at the event with two cameras equipped with different lenses. Incidentally, having more technology is also an insurance policy in case one of the devices breaks down.
5. show shining eyes
Showing the faces of the speakers and the audience is essential. If you can see the interest in the presentation in the eyes of the audience, the mission has been accomplished. Showing the authentic behavior of the audience is just as important for the reportage as the keynote speaker or the product.
For me, taking authentic event photos doesn’t mean keeping my distance and looking at everything as objectively as possible. I don’t take photos as evidence. But I also don’t add anything that isn’t. That is my understanding of authenticity.
6. selectively enhance the image effect
The impact of a business event is always greatest when the event itself appeals to the heart and mind of the audience. With event photos, the emotional images clearly have the strongest impact. With an extreme wide-angle lens, the building appears even larger than it actually is. A low camera position emphasizes the dynamics. Viewed through the telephoto lens, the audience and stage appear even closer together and everything looks more compact. In image processing, the shots are given the finishing touches with the right look.
7. use flash discreetly for individual persons
My clear answer: it depends!
Every event location has its own lighting mood.
Maintaining this mood is important to me and can be very challenging under certain circumstances.
I only use indirect flash for close-up shots of people to get the most natural skin tones possible.
Like a spice in the soup, I only use the flash to brighten things up, never as the main light source.
Sometimes the flash disturbs the atmosphere of an event, for example at concerts, in confined spaces or in very concentrated and quiet moments.
In these cases, I don’t use flash and use the electronic shutter on my camera, which is completely silent.
8. maintain the mood even in low light
In event photography, I use compact cameras with a full-frame sensor in order to be able to work creatively with the depth of field (see also this article). Full-frame cameras have another advantage in event photography. Each individual pixel can receive more light and thus contribute to low-noise images even in very low light. A good low-light performance of the camera is a great benefit for authentic shots, as there is no need to use a tripod or flash.
The latest camera generations also offer greater accuracy in autofocus under unfavorable lighting conditions. This is another reason why I always shoot with the latest camera models.
9. remove distracting elements in image processing
Before I start editing the images, I back up all the raw material on a second external hard disk. Better safe than sorry.
I always shoot in RAW format because, compared to JPEG, it offers the best possible option for adjusting color and brightness afterwards. I find this option particularly valuable for event photos with changing light conditions. Having and using this freedom means a little more effort in image processing, but I accept that.
The next step is therefore to view all the image material, adjust the colors, brightness and contrast and define the final image sections.
Some photos require additional editing in Photoshop, for example skin retouching or when annoying cables, fire extinguishers or emergency exit signs need to be removed from the image.
This is a thought that keeps coming back to me in the presence of AI in everyday life: If I remove “distracting” image elements with the intention of making the image statement even clearer, then that is not image manipulation in my eyes.
I don’t add picture elements to bring a new aspect into the photo!
10. professional presentation in an online picture gallery
Seeing all the photos in the overview is a very special moment, even for me as a photographer. The online picture gallery is ideal for sharing, so that everyone can download the photos they need. I can secure access with a PIN if required. If a photo needs to be removed or subsequently edited, the changes are immediately visible to everyone.
11. photographing and filming events at the same time
At most events, it is ideal to record a short feedback from the guests or a statement from the keynote speaker on video. That’s no problem for me. I can photograph the event with all the highlights and record a professionally conducted interview on video during the breaks or at the end.
Not to raise false hopes – this is not possible in the literal sense of the word. If the camera is recording in video mode, I cannot take a photo at the same time. However, it is possible to export a single image from a video clip as a photo file.
You might also be interested in these articles
How to film an event
How do I get in front of the camera?
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