Hi All

Just back from some newspaper photography in Midlothian, Scotland and a corporate conference photoshoot in Edinburgh, so I thought I would stick with the Corporate Photography theme for now.  As a conference photographer in Edinburgh and around Scotland, I have a certain routine and there are a few "must do" aspects that are key to all jobs.  The list below could apply to corporate photographers and general event photography, but, as a specialist conference photographer in Scotland, I have tailored it a bit for business conferences.  So here we go:-

1. Prepare in advance.  This may seem obvious but the pre-event preparation is essential, take plenty of charged batteries, more than twice you will require, for flash, cameras etc.  Always prepare your back up equipment, yes, that means 2 of everything and make sure it is all working.  It never fails to amaze me when I see a photographer with one flash or camera.  Check location, access, parking traffic.  Do all this a few days before, to give yourself plenty of time if something isnt working.  Think of the worst thing that could happen on your journey ie car breaking down, train delay and leave in plenty of time.  You can be late for your own wedding, but you cannot be late for a photography commission

2. Record to multiple cards   If your camera has this facility, make use of it, cards can suddenly stopped working and imagine losing a days work.  If you don't have this facility, don't use one card all day, switch cards, so in the unlikely event of one not working, it wouldn't be the end of the world, especially if you are using 2 cameras.  Lose a whole days work and you may as well leave the country.  If you are staying overnight, you should always back up your work on a laptop or other device

3.  Find out what you can and cant do in advance   Always check with the event organiser if the delegates are OK with flash usage, or if anyone has objected to their photo being taken at the event.  When you get there, although there is a temptation to bang away on the flash, do it sparingly and not for the full duration of the speaker's presentation.  Also try to gauge the atmosphere from both the speaker and the crowd and give them some peace, if you feel that's what they want at that time.  This also applies to workshops.  Get the balance right.  You must deliver great images for the clients, but it wont help your business if the delegates complain

4. Lenses to Use  This is a personal thing, but I use a 28-70mm most of the time, with a 70-200mm for longer shots.  During workshops I tend to use a smaller mirrorless camera, so I can keep in the background, without disturbing the participants.  Dont walk about looking like a paparazzi, with large lenses and multiple cameras, this wont go down well at conferences.  There are other lenses you can use, but there is no point in going over the top.   Try to keep in the background as much as you can

5. Get both Standard and Creative Images on the day  First and foremost, make sure you get the standard images the client has asked for ie the speakers, any group shots, networking etc.  But after that, try different angles, move about, catch people networking, just at the right moment, when they are animated and enthusiastic.  Set you camera on a tripod and get some motion photos.  The scope is endless

Anyway, hope this has helped

Until next time

Regards

Colin 

Colin Wright Photography