Getting meta...
Capturing the essence of a live event, especially social gatherings like cocktail hours or welcome parties at multi-day events, presents unique challenges and opportunities for professional photographers.
Here’s a scenario that’s all too familiar to me:
While scanning the room for engaging moments, a photographer spots a group engaged in a lively conversation 20 feet away from the lens.
So they wait, camera poised, for the layers of people between them and the group to align in a way that creates a flattering composition.
After holding the frame for over a minute (which feels like an eternity), the crowd parts, and the group is having a hell of a conversation when laughter erupts.
It’s go-time.
Just as they’re about to capture this candid moment, someone taps their shoulder, requesting a photo with their smartphone.
They turn to ask for a second, and when they turn back to the group, they’re gone!
This is not just infuriating for the photographer, it's also a lost opportunity for the expert who serves through live events to share a genuine, spontaneous moment that truly reflects the spirit of their event.
For experts who host events like this, these are exactly the types of photos that you need in your portfolio.
Fortunately, there’s a better approach than distracting the professional photographer for a quick smartphone snap.
Instead, tell the participants in your audience to take their own selfies, and allow the photographer to capture the behind-the-scenes of these interactions.
Capturing attendees taking their own photos adds another layer to the event's story, showcasing the connections among the participants.
These behind-the-scenes moments offer a more comprehensive view of the event, highlighting not just the main activities but also the personal, intimate interactions that occur.
By not occupying the photographer with the basic snapshot stuff, they can focus on capturing unique, irreplaceable moments that truly create a sense of FOMO for the event.
So next time you're at an event and feel the urge to tell your event photographer to take quick posed photos of guests, remember that the smartphone in everyone’s pockets are powerful tools, and they can do it themselves.
Allow the photographer to focus on capturing the essence of the event, the unscripted moments that truly tell the story of your gathering.
And the candid shots of the selfies now become an interesting addition into the overall visual storytelling of the event as a whole.
And it will make for a MUCH happier photographer in the room :)