MAXIMIZE Your Event Photography Coverage!
Event Photography Tips: How to Properly Cover an Event (Maximum Coverage!)

An outline of the video:
Intro:
When it comes to maximizing your event photography coverage, the first important thing to discuss is what your overall objective is.

Your overall objective
How it changes from event to event
Lastly, How you can maximize coverage through a:
Logistical and practical
Technical
and Philosophical approach

BUT FIRST The first thing to understand is what your objective is DEPENDING on the type of event.

This will OF COURSE vary vastly depending on the job and
It is important to understand Intended use.

Corporate and political event photography clients will likely use your images for:

Marketing and promotion
Their Website
Or simply documentation for internal use

But with private events, intended use will likely include:

Documentation, of course
Social media posts
Framed prints
And things of that nature

With a firm understanding of intended use, you should of course...
Balance this, with your personal objective as a photographer.

For me, at every event, I:
I love capturing meaningful, emotion filled moments far more than “cool shots”
I want these to be like Windows of what it was like to be there
Visual reminders of how people felt in those moments

But additionally, I have ever changing goals when it comes to how I work and what I want to achieve.

And lastly, I have a career goal which is:

To raise the bar and challenge people’s notion of what event photography is.

So lets move onto a discussion of what Maximum Coverage is, exactly.

Maximum Coverage vs more photos. Its about creating images, shot with intent, that are about something, that serve your clients needs.

It is about finding a balance between focusing on VIPs and covering as many moments and participants as possible.

VIPs often include:

Guest speakers
MCs
The Birthday boy or girl
Family members
And possibly Celebrities

Its about capturing a wide variety of images of varying shot types... In order to tell a well rounded visual story.
I’ve created a video on the shot types at your disposal that I encourage you to check out if you haven't already since This video is about getting as many of those shots as possible, not what those shots are.

But on top of that special focus, its important to occasionally scan the room and keep a toll on who you’ve already photographed. But remember, while you want to get a shot of as many people as possible in attendance, you want to balance that with shooting with intent and making meaningful images. So don’t over linger on one person as you may end up missing other potential shots.

Logistical and practical tips

You want to show up to a job ready to shoot. So what this means is,

Show up ready to shoot by prepping your gear in advance
Your lenses already cleaned
Your cameras tested
Your memory cards formatted
And your file formats checked (necessary for me since I teach and kids shoot jpegs)
Have your camera set up in a way in which you wont have to fumble around in menus.
Find a convenient spot for your equipment that you can easily return to throughout the night. I personally only shoot with two camera bodies when necessary and swap lenses often throughout an event so it is important that in doing so I miss as few shots as possible.
BREAKs: I personally dont take many, but if not taking a break will effect your performance, TAKE A BREAK. Be wise.
You want to be friendly- this matters - But Learn how to politely exit conversations- especially uncle bob asking about your camera. You do not want to get bogged down in unnecessary conversation.
Stay fit learn to fast and avoid blood sugar spikes.

My last Logistical tips

Is that On top of that special focus on VIPS I have discussed, its important to occasionally scan the room and keep a toll on who you’ve already photographed. But remember, while you want to get a shot of as many people as possible in attendance, you want to balance that with shooting with intent and making meaningful images. So don’t over linger on one person as you may end up missing other potential shots.

My philosophical tips

Stay present
Ego is a buffer between perception and reaction- dont be in your head
Clear your mind / meditate in the car before starting the job
I use this time to clear my mind and set intentions.
Engage with your senses, Listen for the life of the party.

Technical Tips

Setup your camera in a way in which you never have to open menus
Pre Select Your Focal Point.
Time your Shot Ahead of the Peak of Action.
Shoot with both eyes to be able to spot alternative moments while waiting for a shot.

I have been a professional event photographer in Los Angeles and photography teacher for over 10 years. Follow the links below to see my work.

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