CONFERENCE TIPS

Avoid odd or unflattering facial expressions

It can be a challenge to capture a flattering facial expression when someone is talking. Take advantage of the moments when there’s a natural pause in speech.

It’s often about mouth shape: consider the shape of your mouth when you make certain sounds: oo and oh, and words starting with F and R don’t make for very flattering expressions, while ee, eh, ah and ay and words starting with S or L are better.

Unflattering or odd expressions

✔ More flattering, natural

Avoid shots where all speakers looking at something out of frame.

This can look like something is missing or cut off or cropped out by mistake. We prefer you include the who or what they are looking at (it’s usually someone else on the stage that’s speaking).

Subject of attention is out of frame

✔ Subject of attention is in frame

Avoid shots where the speakers are not identifiable.

In small rooms, this is generally not an issue. In medium and large rooms, shooting from the back of the room may get all of the a/v screens in frame but the speaker will not be identifiable and it’s likely to be very dark.

✔ Exception: when a shot may work as atmosphere, giving a compelling view of a session and room. 

✔ Preferred: shots at a medium distance from the stage where the speakers are identifiable and gives the impression of the audience using their heads in silhouette. 

Unidentifiable speakers in dark rooms

✔ Works as atmosphere 

✔ Medium distance 

Avoid overwhelming a speaker photo with branding. 

When trying to include SXSW branding, avoid composition where it looks like the point of the photo was to capture the branding and not the speaker. It’s better to have the branding integrated into the composition or, if prominent, is a more natural composition element.

Branding is the focus of the composition 

✔ Branding is integrated or is a more natural composition element 

Avoid the "sea of attendees": These are audience shots without a focal point or any real context.

✔ Show the audience presence: You can do this by showing the audience with the context of the stage and the speaker, with a focal point that relates to the session, or with a “Medium Distance” shot where the speakers are the subject but the heads of the audience are visible. 

Too Many Empty Seats:

Sea of Attendees:

✔ Audience Presence:

Avoid portrait-like individual audience member photos.

If a single audience member is the focus of a shot, we prefer they are part of a group of audience members having the same reaction. 

If the goal of the individual shot is to feature someone with an interesting vibe, including more audience members around them provides contrast.

One audience member:

✔ Reaction group shot:

How to Shoot: Speaker Photo Op

What is a Speaker Photo Op? 

Prior to the beginning of a Keynote or Featured Session, speakers pose in front of the step and repeat, usually located back of house close to the featured session rooms. 

Directions:

Arrive early and make contact with the SXSW representative (yellow or green lanyard) to see if there have been any changes and to get set up.

Take test shots to get the yellow of the step and repeat correct. This is way harder to fix in post than you think.

There are no studio lights; you will have to use flash.

**Ballroom D back-of-house step and repeat is very busy and crowded. Speakers from as many as 3-5 sessions may be waiting to be photographed. Must move quickly while capturing everything on the shot list.

Shot List:

• Full body feet to head

• Fingertips to head

• Singles and groups

• Funny poses, shenanigans

• Speakers mingling, laughing, greeting each other