A beginner's guide to event photography

Covering events require skill and awareness. In a gathering or a ceremony, there could be a hundred things happening at once. While it is fun, it could actually be challenging especially for a solo photographer. Arie Eric De Jong, San Diego-based photographer, shares this helpful guide for those who are just starting out on event photography.

Arrive at the location before the people do

The setting is important. The event styling and other details are the key to having a good celebration. For photographers who might be working alone or are working in small teams, it might be good to arrive at the location before people show up. This will give them time to take wide shots of the venue, take creative shots of the decor, table setting, and other details. In many cases, Arie Eric De Jong says that this allows photographers to go through last minute notes with event organizers and hosts.

Create a shot list

This one is very important. Since there are many things happening in an event, photographers should have a shot list that they can refer to. They should match this with the program to avoid missing out on the key parts. Having this list will help photographers smoothly document the event even if they are alone.

Show the heartwarming details

More than the program and the venue styling, event photography should highlight the best in people. Arie Eric De Jong shares that once the people have gathered, photographers should spend more time documenting the interactions and reactions. More than anything, event photography should be about the people.