When I first told my friends that I was leaving the comfort of a stable desk job and becoming a full time photographer in San Diego, they all thought I was crazy. Being a professional event photographer in a HIGHLY competitive market like San Diego is tough enough, but relying on photography as a full time job? I mean, there are A LOT of good event photgoraphers out there, and I mean A TON! So that got me thinking… what separates a good event photographer, from a great event photographer?
I’ll admit it… I’m fairly structured and meticulous, so I did my fair share of due diligence and research before I decided to take the plunge as a full time event photographer. I read about all the challenges from establishing a name for yourself, adding watermarks to your images, and protecting you and your clients with contracts. I watched thousands of hours of photography instructional videos and editing techniques, and I burned through cameras and computers practicing and perfecting those techinques. And I took pictures… tens of thousands of pictures of everything from nature and landscapes, college graduates, family portraits, models, retirement parties, weddings and small to large corporate events, tradeshows and conferences. And through all of that, I can honestly tell you that as good as I know that I am as a photographer, every client has different requirements and tastes. And, what’s more, is that there are literally thousands of good photographers out there to satisfy every client’s specific event photography needs.
So what then, is the difference between a good event photographer and a great event photographer? Working as a full time event photographer for the past three years, and having been hired over 5,281+ times in San Diego alone, this is what I’ve found to be the answer to that nagging question. Very simply, the difference between a good event photographer and a great event photographer is what the photographer gives the client above and beyond the pictures they take.
Don’t get me wrong, it takes a lot of knowledge, skill and experience to take and edit a good photo and be an event photographer. You have to consider the venue, the lighting, the subjects you are photographing and the audience that will view your photos to get the right light balance, shutter speed and depth of field to properly portray the story you want in the images you take. You have to add in a composition style that is creative, focuses on the subject, and speaks to the viewers. You have to be ready to move at a moments notice, always focusing on what’s happening around you, and ready to change your camera settings and approach to a shot at the drop of a dime… and often, you have to remain in this heightened state of awareness for long periods of time. And you have to be able to edit your photos, pulling out colors, removing objects, touching up subjects to help illustrate the message that your clients want to express. All of these things make a good event photographer, and there are tons of good event photographers out there that do all of these things, and do them well. And make no mistake, a great event photographer has to do each of these things as well.
But a great event photographer should also be able to offer their clients things above and beyond what a good photographer will offer them. Things like good communication, a strong online reputation and a current online portfolio are all things that help make a good event photographer great. You’d think this would be common sense, but you’d be surprised at how many good photographers are out there that simply don’t offer these three simple things. Prior to the event, a great event photographer will also ask their clients about the event, and how the photos will be used (versus just shooting what they think will be of use to their client). This will help them determine what type of photos to take, as well as when and how to take them. A great event photographer will ask about the event’s itinerary, so they’re aware ahead of time what to expect, and where to position themselves to ensure they capture the best photos of the scheduled events (versus just showing up to shoot). A great event photographer will find out who the key players are at the event (like the relatives that flew in from out of the country to attend the wedding, or the company’s CEO who is attending the event), and make sure that they capture images of those individuals. And a great event photographer will be there, ready to assist, in any way possible to make sure that your event goes off without a hitch.. whether it’s helping with the audio setup, getting the bride and groom a drink, or helping their clients with any other tasks they need to pull off a successful event!
At the end of the day, it’s what a photographer does above and beyond taking good pictures that makes the difference between a good event photographer, and a great event photographer!
Are you looking for the best San Diego event photographer, or do you need help finding event venues in San Diego? San Diego event photographer, Fotility Photography & Videography can help! We’re a highly rated, published event photographer on Google Business, and people LOVE us on Yelp! Give us a call toll free at 800-494-1405 or contact us on the web, and we’d be happy to offer you our best price to capture some amazing event photos for you! We can handle every event, large or small, including private parties, memorial services, corporate events, trade shows and conferences! Fotility Photography & Videography has been hired over 5,281+ times in San Diego alone, and many, many times worldwide (that’s right, Fotility offers professional destination photographer and videographer services)! PLUS, we now offer low cost, affordable Photo Print Packages! So let the Fotility team help you Feel, Capture & Share™ What Matters Most!
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