Don't fall for the "Speaker Trap."

What do I mean by “speaker trap”? Allow me to explain:

You’ve booked a keynote, and you find out there’s going to be a photographer snapping shots throughout the event. You breathe a sigh of relief—one less thing to worry about, right? 

Not so fast. 

Relying on event-provided photographers can leave you with a limited set of photos that don’t fully capture your impact in that room. 

Here’s why.

Event photographers are hired to cover the entire event, not just you. They’ll get a few shots of you on stage, but you’re just one small piece that they’re documenting. 

Sure, you’ll walk away with a handful of good images, but not enough to really maximize the value of that opportunity—especially if this room, this event, and the audience size really represents the types of speaking engagements you want to attract in the future.

When you know you’re speaking at a key event with a full crowd and great decor that truly represents your current ideal room, consider booking your own dedicated photographer. 

By having someone focused solely on you, you’ll get photos that capture every nuance of your presentation, the energy and vibe of the crowd, and your engagement with the audience.

For photographers, if you’re hired to shoot just one speaker, the goal is to overdeliver. 

Capture the speaker’s presence on stage, their interactions with the audience, and the dynamic atmosphere. Think beyond just sweeping wide shots — document the speaker in relation to the room, the crowd, and the energy in medium and closeup shots, as well, creating a visual variety that tells the full story of the experience they provided throughout.

Booking your own photographer may seem like an extra, and potentially costly step, but it’s an investment in your brand and how you want to be seen by potential future clients. 

Don’t settle for being one of many in a photographer’s shot list—be the priority.

Let’s talk about how to ensure your next keynote delivers visuals that maximize your value on stage.