In this capacity, an event photographer is in a position to do more than merely record an event – you have the capability of using the images to narrate a compelling story. When it comes to a wedding, birthday party, a corporate event or any other event that one may cover, considering how to tell a story through ones images is a step up. Below are some important guidelines that can be followed while considering an event photography with visual communication in mind.
Set the Scene
Before the main action starts happening, it is important to shoot wide shots of the location in order to give the audience an idea of where the film is taking place. Document room specific details including tables, decorations, signs or anything else that can provide a feeling of locality. Also take some photos of the guests arriving and making themselves comfortable before the actual celebrations start. It also helps to anchor the viewer and gives them visual cues that they will see in your photos over and over.
Find Understated Moments
It is not necessary for all the great moments that occur at a party to happen in front of the camera. Of course, it is also crucial to capture people’s moments that demonstrate their feelings and relationships with each other. You may notice a man and a woman hand in hand under the table, a smiling child waving at a friend, two relatives sobbing and hugging after years of separation, etc.
Shoot What People Overlook
Usually a photographer will take all the main special moments – the first dance, cake cutting, bouquet toss and the like. For more original photos that bring something new to your story, focus on details or scenes that are invisible to most visitors. The flower girl with her basket, the couple hugging behind the curtain, the cake toppers casually standing against the cake waiting to be placed on top, gifts stacked in a table at a corner – do check for small incidences that form part of the storyline.
Find a Visual Metaphor
In order to achieve this, one should always be on the lookout for items, symbols or even signs that could be a representation of the event in question or the couple/people being celebrated. For instance, a picture of a bride and groom cutting a cake while Loblolly Lodge sign can depict where the event is being held. Or a “Welcome to the Johnsons’ 50th Anniversary” banner can work as an indication of what has brought people together. The incorporation of these representational images to the photos means there are more stories that the viewer has to decipher.
Show Emotion
Feel is a major component of visuals so be on the lookout for the high moments of happiness, thrill, laughter, memories and even tears that events bring. Photograph the pure joy and instant coverage of a woman who has just been pinned down for catching the bouquet. Capture a group of people laughing and making a toast to toast the guest of honor at a retirement party. The story is in these emotional links and rewards – do not lose sight of the moments that capture these feelings.
Follow the Action
Therefore for situations such as birthdays or anniversaries, ensure that you follow up on activities that progress with time and link together a series of sequences of shots. Take a picture of the child being asked to blow out the line of candles on the cake one at a time. See the couple getting on the floor for their first dance, which is across the dance floor. Capturing these actions on the scene as it happens shot by shot advances the story graphically.
Identify the theme of the given object and its variations.
All sorts of events are marked by rituals which form perfect photographic through lines. Deduce the theme brought into play repeatedly with changes. For instance, at the wedding, while you can photograph the bride putting on her gown and dancing with bridesmaids, hold hands with her father while walking down the aisle, kissing the groom during the wedding vows, and dancing with guests at the reception and so on, the white dress links the series. Or for birthday, show the celebrant seated in front of gifts then blowing out candle, then opening gifts symbolizing the celebration repeated.
Include Environmental Portraits
Event photography still necessitates portraits, but not in the conventional form of people standing against a nondescript backdrop. Use environmental portraits to complement your storytelling by capturing additional candid images using the documentary approach of individuals participating in event activities. The wedding couple should be depicted holding each other while standing and admiring the beauty of the place. Take a picture of grandma as she takes a bite of the special meal prepared for the celebration. Capture party guests smiling and converging around the celebrant. This assists in linking the subjects of portraits into the developing story.
Go for Variety
When shooting an event try and capture the event using different positions, focal lengths, angles, and distances. Take shots that encompass the general mood and feel of the setting as well as close up shots that focus on specific details. It is advised to shoot from the ground, from the dance floor level, and also from above from the balcony. Take both group photographs as well as some natural looking snaps. Employing various styles of photography will give a better view of the interest and more angles to the story unfolding.
Show the Climax
Each plot contains moments that are considered its peak, culmination of emotions and sometimes the very purpose of the existence of the narrative – climax. These are optimum points to capture and they must be identified and documented comprehensively. Capture different first dances between newlyweds from different perspectives with different focal lengths. Record all the events as the birthday girl struggles to blow out a large pile of candles after a race. Whether comedic or romantic, visually represent what the overarching theme is achieved by.
Reveal the Context
Subsequently, images often fail to tell a complete story when seen later or by people who are not privy to the event. If possible, engage the host or a participant and get a little insight on what kind of story is uncurling – a fifty years of marriage, the arduous climb to achieving a career goal, a family detail that personifies the importance of the event. Remember these narrative details while photographing to be able to reveal the context more through the pictures.
Get a Shot List
If permitted, introduce yourself to the event hosts/planners and request if there are specific photographic moments they would like recorded or group photos with particular guests. Being informed of what images are significant to the client is crucial since, at the very least, the client will receive the intended visual narrative arcs.
Show Beginnings & Endings
Similar to any story, events have a beginning, a build-up, a climax and tension reduction or a falling action. Make sure your camera is ready for each of these times: the doors are open, more and more people are coming, the energy reaches its peak, people start to get tired and the parties begin to die down, the place is empty. The graphic presentation of the story arcs’ beginnings and endings offers narrative closure.
Sequencing and culled photos can be fine tuned in the editing stage to even further control the visual narrative you are trying to bring to the client. Incorporation of these event photography approaches into your working method will help you achieve not only single shots, but the photo narrative of an event over a period of time. Remember and maintain the concept of visual storytelling and your images will not only capture but narrate the story of the day.
