Event photography with a photographer

In both event photography and press photography, there are some pitfalls in working with the photographer. What do customers have to pay attention to in the cooperation? Which measures lead to success in press and event photography and what does “good cooperation” look like ?

Event photography tips of cooperation

1. references and knowledge

As a rule, work with event or press photographers who have the necessary expertise and references. Events and PR appointments cannot be repeated, so it is important that your assignment also reflects the right result and that the images can also be used well in the media.

As a photographer, I now have 12 years of professional experience and I am still passionate and full of drive to make your client project well.

2. briefing

A detailed briefing for your photographers is important. What is expected and what are the images used for? If you need press photos, then authenticity is important, because press text and image should match. With event photos, emotional moments are in the foreground and the event should be sufficiently documented.

The important thing for me as a photographer is to see how the images are used on the website.

3. use on site or nationwide

For your events, press conferences and congresses I am not only available in the Rhein Main area but also work nationwide and support you in other cities like: Berlin, Munich, Düsseldorf, Hamburg and Stuttgart. You need a team of several photographers, also here I support you as a customer and take over the complete organization with further colleagues. Every photographer has his own way of pictorially implementing a theme. From my point of view, it does little good to keep using new, different photographers because you want to save costs on nationwide events. It is certainly true that a photographer on location does not have to factor in accommodation costs. However, as a client, always remember that a consistent style of imagery for all events will better support your client’s cause and showcase your marketing efforts than using different photographers with a wide variety of visual languages.

4. working conditions on site

The photographer also needs a workstation on site if the images need to be processed during the day and a selection of images made available. If the conditions on site are not ideal in terms of space, room, light, an on-site inspection is a good idea. Even when setting up backgrounds when, for example, flash systems are used, it is necessary to plan in advance. Here I support you by coordinating with you on site.

5. scheduling and time pressure

Very often, especially at press events, there is considerable time pressure (delivery and uploading of the first photos after just one hour). Please communicate to me the appropriate time slots and type of shots in advance

The earlier you involve me as your photographer in your planning, the better the photo results will be. Your project will be even better realized the more precise and detailed your photo briefing is. Also take advantage of my experience as a photographer. A good briefing includes, among other things, the course of the event with the highlights, important personalities who should definitely be photographed, captions, press text and how the event is then further “marketed” by you as a customer.

I am also happy to take the first pictures during the dress rehearsal.

6. contact person on site

Here it is important that I, as a photographer, also have a contact person on site, so that I can also react quickly to special requests and changes at short notice. Also the accessibility , schedule of the day, delivery of the images (by when they are needed) and other services such as the labeling of the images or the preparation for printing, flyers must be clearly communicated in advance.

Here I support you as a customer since I can offer with proven partners other additional services around the topic of photography with.

7. cooperation – exchange

Good event photos and PR images are always created in a team by working together with other people, whether they are event managers or PR managers. As a photographer, I also depend on how communication is beforehand and on location. A good success always happens in a team.

8. fee – payment

Good photos are usually only available for good money ! Certainly, there are many photographers who also operate with low prices. However, when obtaining quotes, consider not only the time required for on-site photography, but also other services, such as fast delivery of the images, your own customer image gallery (also with password protection) image and usage rights and further processing of the photos. Get references from other clients and ask how the photographer also acts when dealing with your clients, employees on location.

9. contract with the photographer / confirmation of the offer

You acquire certain rights of use from your photographer, which are limited in time or must fulfill a specific purpose of use. Keep these details in writing so that there are no misunderstandings later. Are the images only needed for the Internet or do you as a customer want to use all rights also for further, promotional purposes (e.g. print ad, flyer, brochure) ?

Important details are already contractually recorded in writing today. With my offers you receive as a customer already in the apron a detailed listing of the individual topics, so that also picture, use rights were communicated understandably.

10. naming – caption

As authors, the photographers generally have the right to be named. Very often, however, the client forgets to mention the name of the photographer later when using the image.

Therefore, please also remember that the photo credits with the name credit have an advertising function and are important for every professional photographer.

As a photographer, I identify with my client projects, I care about where the images end up and how they are used. I also report on the photo assignment on my website in the blog section and also link to the company’s website in coordination with my client.

If you do not want to name the photographer or do not want a caption with the photographer’s name, this point should also be recorded in writing in advance.