10 Tips for How to Shoot Event Photography | Salt Lake City 2024

Shooting event photography is an art that requires not only a sharp eye but also careful planning and technical skill. Whether you’re capturing the energy of a corporate event, a live concert, or a wedding, following the right techniques can elevate your work from good to great. Here are 10 essential tips for shooting event photography in 2024, based on experience working in Salt Lake City and beyond.

1. Choose the Right Lenses

When shooting event photography, it’s critical to choose the right lenses. A 24-70mm f/2.8 lens is highly versatile, allowing you to capture both wide shots and close-up portraits. For larger venues or to capture detailed candid shots, consider using a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens for telephoto reach. The fast aperture of f/2.8 also allows for better performance in low-light situations, which is common at corporate events.

• Pro Tip: Always bring a prime lens, like a 50mm f/1.8, for creative, shallow depth-of-field portraits during quieter moments of the event.

2. Master Event Lighting

Lighting at events can be tricky due to most of the lighting being out of your control. For example the audience may not be lit well while the stage lights may be overly bright. You'll need to figure out the correct combination of settings on your camera to capture beautiful photos despite the lighting challenges. For well-lit events like corporate conferences the natural lighting may be enough. However, for evening receptions or dimly lit venues, you’ll want to use an external flash to capture your professional event photos.

• Pro Tip: Carry a set of continuous LED lights for video production or behind-the-scenes shots, which is perfect for multi-tasking when you're covering both photography and video production.

3. Make a Shot List Beforehand

Create a shot list before the event to ensure you don’t miss any important moments. This is especially useful for corporate events, where there are key people or actions you must capture, like speeches, candid networking moments, or awards presentations. When working with a video production company, like BW Productions, their producers will ask you for a list of key speakers and moments you need photos of. If you plan on shooting your event yourself you'll need to come prepared with this list so you don't miss any key moments.

• Pro Tip: Speak with the event organizer beforehand to determine what their priorities are for photography and video production, ensuring no important shots are missed.

4. Multi-Tasking During the Event

If you’re tasked with covering both photography and video production, you’ll need to stay agile. Set up your cameras to auto-adjust for changing lighting conditions so you can focus on capturing the moment. Additionally, you may want to position stationary cameras for wide-angle video shots while you handle close-up photography.

• Pro Tip: Use a vision mixer to manage live video feeds while continuing to shoot event photos, especially useful for hybrid events or conferences.

5. Capture Candid Moments

Some of the best event photos are the candid, unposed moments. Keep an eye on interactions between attendees, especially during informal parts of the event like breaks or social receptions.

• Pro Tip: Set your camera to silent shutter mode if possible to avoid distracting your subjects while capturing those perfect moments.

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6. Position Yourself Strategically

Always be mindful of your positioning during the event. In larger venues, moving around discreetly is key to capturing multiple angles. Try to anticipate where the action will happen so you can be in the right spot before the moment unfolds.

• Pro Tip: Use a corporate videographer mindset by scouting the location beforehand to find the best vantage points for both photography and video production.

7. Be Mindful of Composition

Use the rule of thirds to frame your shots well. It’s easy to focus on getting the right moment and forget about composition, but framing your subject properly can make a huge difference in the quality of your photos.

• Pro Tip: In event photography, pay attention to leading lines—they often appear naturally in event venues (rows of chairs, tables, etc.) and can guide the viewer's eye to your subject.

8. Use Post-Production to Elevate Your Photos

The editing process is just as important as the shooting. Use tools like Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve for color grading and Adobe Lightroom to adjust brightness, contrast, and cropping. Make sure to edit photos to match the mood of the event, whether it’s a corporate video production or a festive celebration.

• Pro Tip: Have a consistent post-production workflow so your images maintain a professional and polished look. You can even offer video post-production services to clients who need full coverage of their event.

9. Shoot in RAW Format

Shooting in RAW ensures you capture the highest level of detail and gives you more flexibility during editing. This is crucial for events where lighting conditions are unpredictable, and you may need to make significant adjustments in post-production.

• Pro Tip: Use linear editing techniques to streamline your workflow for both photography and video, especially if you’re handling multi-format content.

10. Create a Backup Plan

Whether you’re photographing or managing a media production company, always have a backup plan. Bring spare batteries, memory cards, and even a second camera body if possible. This ensures that even if something goes wrong, you won’t miss a critical shot.

• Pro Tip: Consider offering equipment rental or backup services, such as cameras, lighting, and audio video production gear, especially if you're working on corporate video production projects.

Work With Us!

If you’re planning an event in Salt Lake City in 2024 and need expert event photography or video production services, we’d love to work with you. At BW Productions, we specialize in corporate events, conferences, and live performances, offering everything from photography and videography to post-production services. Fill out our “Work With Us” form today to set up a consultation and ensure your event is captured professionally!

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