Be Specific

[by Todd Joyce]

When you are setting up a shot and you show a client an image, ask them specifically what you need to know to continue?   Composition, lighting, angle, wardrobe, etc.   If you work like I do, I tackle certain things as I go.   Don’t let the client get caught up on something that isn’t in question yet.

Todd Joyce is a recent Past President of ASMP and specializes in conceptual people photography for advertising. See Todd’s work at joycephotography.com and contact him at todd@joycephotography.com

Making the Best of Event Photography

[by Jenna Close]

I will fully admit that events are far from my favorite type of thing to shoot.  It seems that the lighting is always difficult, the days are always long and the settings less than majestic.  That said, there are benefits to event photography that can be used to your advantage.  Often it is a great way to meet and interact with those who make the marketing decisions for large corporations.  If you play your cards right, these people may hire you to fill the commercial photography needs of the company in the future.  It can also be an excellent way to practice shooting portraits on the fly with minimal lighting set-ups.

Two things have really stuck with me from my experiences with event photography: one, make sure you charge enough.  Many estimates for events seem to be priced by the hour, so make sure you set your hourly rate high enough to make it worthwhile.  Don’t forget about post-production charges if you intend on doing any.  If you need to, add this labor into your hourly rate.  Two: wear comfortable shoes.  Really.  Conference halls are large and you will be running around quite a bit.  (I once chose fashion over function and had sore feet for days after.)

Jenna Close, along with partner Jon Held, run P2 Photography.  They specialize in imagery for the alternative energy market.  You can find Jenna at www.p2photography.net.

Per Image Pricing for Events

[by Rosh Sillars]

I’m a big fan of per-image pricing. I use it most for events in the retail environment.  This is especially true for the rare one or two corporate client weddings I photograph each year.

I’ve discovered that people’s budgets are often bigger than what they reveal to me or even what they originally envisioned.  Per-image pricing allows me to offer good clients a fair option without feeling like they’re taking advantage of me.

I begin by requesting a non-refundable down payment to save the date.  The payment is credited toward the first images they purchase.  For retail events, the per-image rate is much lower than commercial rates due to the volume and the personal-use license.

Once I’ve edited my images, I upload them to Photoshelter with the option to download each image at the agreed-upon rate.  I still offer prints through the system, but the smallest size available is 4×6 at the same rate as the original file download.

Is there a risk? Absolutely. Fortunately, I have found when I work hard and present creative images to my clients, they’re happy and I receive a monetary reward.

Rosh Sillars is the co-author of “The Linked Photographer.”  View his people photography at http://people.roshsillars.com

Thoughts on Event Photography

[by Kevin Lock]

Are you thinking that Event Photography is a dead end street?  I say you are looking in the rear view mirror.

At first glance, it might appear that event photography is just a way to make money, a way to survive in tough economic times.  Of course there is money involved and it is nice to make but that is not the prize that I am eyeing.
While event photography is not my forte and it certainly does not feed my soul, it does serve my purpose.

Event photography is simply a means to an end.

The means is actually “the opportunity” and the end is a new client that I might not have “reached” if I did not have the stomach to take this journey.

I actively market to events, specifically ‘corporate events.’  Corporate events are easy to research online and have definite deadlines.  They involve people within the corporate world that I am trying to reach and make an impression upon.  They happen all the time and all over the world.

It is my intention is to obtain a new client, and have that client fall in love with me.
Once the love is made and the relationship solidified (thru the documentation of their event, delivering high quality imagery, and the development of a friendly relation that I started and actively sought)… How can they refuse to hire me again?

I have faith that my client will recognize the potential in having me do other types of work, work they were not even considering when we began our journey.

As you take your eyes away from the rear view mirror, pull over, open the passenger door and offer a new client a ride.  I am certain you will be pleasantly surprised as they will embrace a journey into the world of your photography.

Kevin Lock is a National Board member of the ASMP.  When not picking corporate hitchhikers, Kevin can be found shooting corporate events in your home town.

Never Let ‘Em See You Sweat

[by Blake Discher]

I have an expression I tell anyone who assists for me, “Never let ‘em see you sweat.” in other words, regardless of what happens on a shoot, let’s keep it entirely professional in the eyes of the client.

I recall a young assistant working with me on an annual report shoot in Monterrey, lMexico. I was in the center of a grouping of tables configured in a square so I could shoot candids of the executives during the meeting.  We had lights in all four corners of the room to illuminate everyone somewhat evenly.

About 15 minutes into the shoot a capacitor in one of the lights blew with a loud bang, startling everyone in the room.  Cool as a cucumber, my assistant Angie walked over, unplugged the light, grabbed a replacement, set it up and acted as if nothing happened.

During the next break the client complimented us on our “prepared for anything” work process.  I glanced over at Angie to see if she had heard the compliment.  I could tell by her slight smile that she did.

Blake J. Discher is a photographer specializing in people for Fortune 500 companies worldwide. He speaks internationally on the topics of web marketing, SEO, and negotiating. To learn more: http://www.blakedischer.com.

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