Photographing A Conference: Our Top Tips

We have over a decade of experience in Conference Photography and in this article we share some of our top tips on how to Capture Great Images at a Conference.

Whether you’re attending a conference as a participant or as a photographer, conferences are a great way to network, learn new skills, and make connections. They are also an excellent opportunity to capture amazing images that can be used for promotional materials or just to remember the event. Here are our top tips on how to capture great images at a conference.

Choose the Right Gear

The first step in capturing great images at a conference is choosing the right gear. You want to make sure you have the right equipment for the job. If you’re shooting indoors, you’ll need a good-quality camera with a fast lens and good low-light performance. If you’re shooting outdoors, you may want to invest in a telephoto lens or even a drone for aerial shots. Additionally, you should bring along extra batteries and memory cards so that you don’t run out of juice or storage space during the event. You will certainly want a wide angle lens so you can capture the sale of the event. Remember to check with your client or the delegates before you start photographing audience members. There may be some that don't wish to be photographed.

Plan Ahead

Once you have your gear ready, it’s time to start planning ahead for your shots. Take some time before the conference begins to scout out potential locations and angles that will make for interesting photos. You should also consider what type of shots will best capture the atmosphere of the event and what type of lighting will work best in each area. Planning ahead can help ensure that you don’t miss any important moments or opportunities during the conference. Where possible arrange a site visit or arrive early and with with the AV and lighting technicians so you can pre program your camera settings to the lighting conditions once the main speakers are on stage delivering their keynote speech. If the images are going to be used for a press release or some form of internal comms, it is  a good idea to have a shot list before your event. Build this with your client and ensure all the required photos are listed so that nothing gets missed on day.

Be Prepared

When it comes time for the actual event, be prepared with your gear and your plan of action. Make sure that all of your batteries are fully charged and that your memory cards have plenty of space available for photos. Be prepared for sudden changes in lighting or unexpected moments by having your camera ready with the appropriate settings already set up.Additionally, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings so that you don’t miss any important moments or opportunities during the event. Finally, be sure to take breaks throughout the day so that you don’t get too tired or overwhelmed by all of the activities going on around you. If you need to have continuous coverage or the delegates are going to break off into separate areas, consider booking a second shooter.

Be Creative

Finally, don’t forget to be creative with your shots! Try different angles and perspectives as well as experiment with different lighting techniques such as backlighting or silhouettes. Also, consider using props such as signs or banners in order to add more visual interest to your photos. By being creative with your shots, you can ensure that each image is unique and captures something special about the event itself.

Take Headshots

A conference is often the perfect opportunity to get all the teams headshots updated. If there is space within the conference venue, consider setting up a pop up headshot studio. Work with the main event organiser to decide the best times to run the studio. i.e. in between breakout sessions. Most of our conference clients opt to have a dedicated Professional Headshot photographer setup at the conference venue

Organise Post Production

Separate out key moments from all the captured images and send these to your client as soon as possible as they may want some highlights to share internally or for external use such as a press release. Agree on the date you will deliver the remainder of the images. We find it helpful to rate images in camera as we shoot, as this can speed up the process.

By following these tips, you can ensure that each image captured at a conference is unique and captures something special about the event itself! With some planning ahead and creativity, any competent photographer  can capture amazing images at any type of conference or corporate event. Ghelani Studios has over a decades experience in photographing conferences and business events. Contact us to check availability of a our photographers for next event.