Hi Everyone

Now that things are returning to a near normal again after the pandemic, I think this is a good time to go over some top tips for photographing conferences.  As a professional corporate and event photographer working in Edinburgh, Glasgow and throughout Scotland, conference photography is one of my main sources of business.  So I thought we could go through some of the most important attributes for the successful conference and event photographer in Scotland, so here they are.

1. Preparation - make sure all your gear is ready and you know exactly which lenses you will require for which situation.  Think how many batteries you will need and double that.  Take more than one flash and of course never turn up with only one camera.  Plan how and when you will shoot specific things and know all the contacts and finally, make sure you have planned the journey.  Everyone else can be late but not the photographer.

2. Write out shooting plan with all the timings in advance.

3. Practice before the speakers arrive, particularly with the lighting on the speakers podium.

4. Be helpful and friendly at all times, no matter how stressed you may get.

5. Although you have set photos to take, get creative, change your angle etc.

6. Even if you haven't been asked to do so, you should always take some candid images, your client are sure to like them even if they were not expecting it.

7. Use your flash if you are permitted but not with every shot, this will just annoy the delegates.  Modern camera equipment should be able to cope with most types of lighting without flash for at least some of the shots.

8. Try not to be too prominent with big lenses and getting in everyone's way.  The photographer should not be noticed.

9. Be careful, It is easy during busy periods to drop a flash on someone during an event.  The main purpose for the conference is for the delegates to learn and enjoy the day.

10. Introduce yourself to the organisers and speakers (where possible) in advance of the event.

So with all these tips in mind go out there and enjoy the photoshoot.

Until next time.  All the best.

Colin

www.colinwrightphotography.co.uk