How do I photograph a formal event?

October 17, 2005 6:47 AM

I have been asked to act as a photographer for a formal event, how do I do this?

Let's assume that I can't say no. I'm curious as to what sort of pictures to take, technique tips, protocol (e.g. do I just go around snapping or do I ask people to pose etc), and any advice in general. I have never done this before.

The dinner event is indoors and at night. It's a 50th anniversary for an association and there will be a guest of honor. I am also attending the event (i.e. not just there to take pictures) but don't know most of the people

My equipment is a DImage Z3 and an external flash, lots of batteries and memory cards.

posted by mutantdisco! to work & money (10 comments total)

Setting up a little corner with an appropriate backdrop and tripod ala this is a good approach.
posted by fire&wings at 6:52 AM on October 17, 2005

I find it's much easier to take pictures of people without asking if you have an appropriately-official-looking tag hanging around your neck. It helps if this is large and colorful, and is absolutely necessary that it be laminated or in one of those shiny pouch-things.
posted by odinsdream at 7:05 AM on October 17, 2005

If you have time, I would buy or check out of the library a book on wedding photography (perhaps there are even titles more generic to events). Lots of good stuff in this thread. I recommend you use a flash diffuser, if you were not already planning on it. It produces much more flattering photographs of people.
posted by caddis at 7:13 AM on October 17, 2005

I agree with odinsdream, you can get away with alot more it you look all "official." Also, ask the person paying you, or the one in charge, for a list of shots that they would like to get, IE; So-In-So shaking hands with whatsHisFace, ThatGuy giving a toast, etc. Then use that as a soft guide as to what you take shots of. By all means get what you think may be a good set, but at least you have a direction to go in.

HTH
posted by Botunda at 7:14 AM on October 17, 2005

My main suggestion is scope out the venue in advance. Many ballrooms are very dimly lit during events - small chandeliers, way up high, with a dimmer switch... Call the venue, ask if they have another event coming up and if you can poke around for a few minutes during it. Think about where you'd set up when Mr. Bombast is giving his toast to the Loyal Order of Water Buffaloes, how you are going to handle the lighting, etc.

And look the part, as above. If you look the part you can get away with a lot.
posted by jellicle at 8:22 AM on October 17, 2005

Do you have a budget? If so, hire an assistant, someone who does this sort of thing for a living. They'll know what to do.
posted by mds35 at 8:23 AM on October 17, 2005

1. You need a backup camera body and lens. Even if you have to hire. Really. You can't just shrug, look sheepish and sa "o it broke chiz curses" when you're getting paid.

2. Talk to them very carefully before hand about what they're expecting. Do they want lots of formal shots? Candids? Assuming they want interesting pictures (which means candids) ...

3. Forget about "I'm also attending". No you aren't, you're there as the photographer now. That means you don't put your camera down to eat, or for a toast, or just about anything. You're always taking pictures. When other people are eating, you're moving between tables, hunched down, looking for the shot. When people are speaking you're shooting the top table, and getting reaction shots. When people are drunk, you're getting conversation shots. If you get a sandwich and a drink, lucky you.

4. The two cameras slung around your neck will be fine as "official photographer" badging goes, as will the fact that you're taking lots of pictures all the time. People might notice you and react for the first 40 minutes or so (especially those tiresome I-have-a-camera-face women) but before long you're as much a part of the background as the waiters are, and can take what you want.

5. If your pictures aren't good enough, you aren't close enough.
posted by bonaldi at 8:53 AM on October 17, 2005

PS: 6. Learn about bounce flash/reducing flash output. And if your flash doesn't tilt, stick some card to the front of it. Nothing scream amateur more than 10000000 watts of flash.
posted by bonaldi at 8:55 AM on October 17, 2005

When I'm shooting an event, I really like to take lots of candids to capture the feel of the event. Posed pictures are nice for the historical record, so make sure you get some, but I like to focus on what's going on with the people at the gathering. If there's something in particular they want you to capture, make sure you can get a good spot beforehand to get it. If you can, get there even earlier and take some test shots with the same lighting.

I've never used that camera, but it's got a pretty long lens, and it's reasonably fast. The large zoom range means it's probably not exceptionally sharp, but it's got a stabilizer. Make sure that's on, and practice handholding steady at long zoom in low light. If you know what you're doing with manual settings for aperture and shutter, take some variations throughout the event.

DO NOT FORGET TO DOUBLE CHECK YOUR ISO SETTINGS. Use the slowest speed you can get away with and still get sharp pictures (check them at large magnification).

Make sure you know how to use all of the settings on the external flash, what the various modes do, and how they interact with the camera modes. Flash photography is much much harder than ambient light photography. If you don't know what you're doing, you probably should stick with the camera's fully automatic settings.

Also, don't forget extra batteries for the flash.

General advice - take lots of pictures and expect to throw away 75% of them.
posted by Caviar at 8:56 AM on October 17, 2005

I'd also find out what they will be using the photos for. Can you take them in a low res format or do you need them to be large? This can determine how many photos you're able to squeeze on your card - and if you are on a budget - how many photos you can take.
posted by guruguy9 at 2:47 PM on October 17, 2005