How to capture your event in photos and video

You have two options:

• Photograph on your own

• Hire a professional photographer and/or videographer

If you shoot the event yourself, the tips in this article will be helpful. It's also advisable to have one person at the event responsible for filming. And it's better if it's not the host.

If you will hire a professional, be sure to discuss your expectations and make a shot list — a list of moments that must be captured.

For example, the awards ceremony, etc.

Get ready

Check the gear

Having the correct gear is essential to ensuring your success. The best option is to have a professional camera, appropriate lens, flash kit, and other accessories that make all the difference.

However, if your options are limited, you can make use of a simple camera of your smartphone.

Visit the venue in advance

That’s how you can work out the best camera angles and identify any potential challenges. Lighting is also a constant concern for both photo and video at many events, unless they’re outdoors.

If the venue is poorly lit, be inventive with your camera angles and experiment with lighting sources.

Make a shot list

Make a list of the crucial moments, such as speeches, special guests, awards, applause, etc. You can use this list to position yourself in a great location in advance, so that you’ll be ready to make a shot. T

his is the best way to capture the mood or emotions.

What to shoot

Photograph the venue before the guests arrive. These pictures are also important.

If there is something interesting going on, take out your camera and shoot it. Action shots are more interesting than people posing for a picture.

It's a great idea to shoot a video interview with each participant in portrait mode.

A candid shot can capture a moment where the participants are not expecting it. Unlike staged and posed photos, candid images have a natural vibe.

A candid shot is also a way to be polite and not interrupt guests that are in the middle of a moment. However, try to avoid unflattering candid moments such as someone yawning, chewing food, or making a bad face.

Be sure to take a group photo before people start to leave.

How to get good shots

Your loud and confident voice is your best friend. Let your subjects know what you’re doing and what you expect of them.

• If you’re making photos, ask them to smile and wait for a flash.

• For video, tell them to ignore you and act naturally.

For Instagram stories or TikTok, shoot vertically. For YouTube, horizontal is the best.

If unsure, shoot horizontally, so that your videos will be easier to edit.

Take two

To avoid technical issues that can ruin your work, make sure you take two of everything. Two shots, two videos. Back everything up straight away by copying images and files on your PC or laptop as soon as you get home.

An important note: don’t turn your event into a photo session. Good photos and videos are important, but the event itself is what really matters.

Be creative and respectful, so that the attendees don’t feel uncomfortable.