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

The Forth and Clyde canal Linlithgow, in infraredCanal photography in infrared at linlithgow by professional corporate and fine art photographer, Colin Wright, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Linlithgow in infrared by professional fine art, event and corporate photographer Colin Wright, Glasgow, Scotland.

Hi Everyone

I managed to get along to Edinburgh very briefly at the weekend to take some photographs of the performers at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.  As a professional event photographer working in Edinburgh and around Scotland, this can be a great way to learn your trade.  You have a public place where you can photograph all you want for free, or in some cases its polite to pay the performers, particularly the ones who are using this as there main source of income during the Festival.  I felt this year, although the crowds were big, there weren't as many performers on the High Street or Grassmarket areas, but maybe that's still due to recovering from the pandemic.  Still, it is enjoyable and a great way to feel part of the festival.  Some of the challenges include, getting a good vantage point amongst the crowds and often standing on something or getting there early is the only option.  I often see photographers at these events and its a great way to network.  The one thing that never fails to amaze me is when I see photographers with dozens of lenses in their gear and large long lenses.  There is not the room for this kind of equipment and there is less excuse now with mirrlorless equipment, also the light isn't low enough during the day that you need these kind of lenses.  Finally it is selfish and intimidating for both the crowd and the performers if you use this type of equipment.  Anyway that's my rant for the day.  I also use the Festival as a means to supply infrared photos and I have done this in the past when commissioned to do outdoor theatre photography at the Festival.

So all you corporate and event photographers in Edinburgh and all the amateurs, get yourself along to Edinburgh while it lasts.  Experiment with lenses, colour, black and white, HDR, freezing movement, blurring movement - you wont get a better chance to practice like this.

Looking forward to some conference photography in Edinburgh soon also.

Until next time.

Kind Regards

Colin

www.colinwrightphotogrpahy.co.uk