TRICKS OF THE TRADE: PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY FOR EXPERIENTIAL MARKETERS
PART III: Point, Click, Shoot
How Hiring The Right Photographer Can Make or Break Your Event
O Hello Media team on-site recording interviews during the Uber Beacon Denver launch
A QUICK RECAP
This is the final chapter in our Tricks of the Trade series of blog posts.
Part I set you up with helpful direction when it comes to locking in your brand’s identity. Part II made sure you created the perfect pre-event shot list. This post will focus on aligning your vision with the person whose expertise can bring it life.
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How does your organization usually hire a new team member? It probably takes months to get someone on board. From posting an ad on LinkedIn to phone interviews, personality tests, in-person interviews, assignments and finally choosing the right candidate...it’s a process. But even though you’ve got the best recruiters in the business, they probably don’t know much when it comes to hiring a photographer and/or videographer for your event.
Luckily we’ve got some helpful tips when it comes to choosing the visionary that’s going to make your event dance off the social media screens.
1. Peruse Portfolios
The first step in meeting your photographer or videographer match is to peruse their portfolio of work. Any content creator worth their lens will have a website showcasing their best shots from a variety of different types of events. You want to look for a photographer or videographer with experience, unique vision, playful compositions and creativity that matches your vision of the brand.
Choose a content creator’s expression of art that really speaks to you.
“A client should decide the photographic style that they like best for their event,” wrote photographer Anthony Johnson in a 2018 blog post. “Do you prefer an artistic photojournalistic style (candid shots) with a natural look? Or do you like a more posed look, formal and traditional photos?”
Photographers and videographers are very adaptable to their clients, but in the end, you want to pick a shutterbug who does not stray too far from your company’s brand personality.
2. Interview Individuals
Grow with Google - Reno, NV
Once you’ve narrowed down the candidates to a few qualified individuals, take the time to speak with them in-person or on the phone. Don’t be afraid to dive deep into a person’s background, personality and vision. Event Marketplace “The Bash” has some great interview questions to bring up:
Will they be shooting the event themselves or will it be an associate?
How many events like yours did they shoot in the last year?
Is this their full-time profession or a side job?
Do they have backup equipment?
Are they a member of any professional associations, such as the PPA? (Professional Photographers of America)
How many years have they been a professional photographer or videographer? (Meaning this is their primary source of income)
What are the turnaround times for the delivery of images/products?
Don’t be afraid to ask for references from past clients!
3. Dive into Details
Now you’ve gotten to know the candidates and chosen the one you feel most comfortable with, it’s time to finalize the plans with very clear instructions. Most content creators will have you sign vendor contracts for services. Take the time to read the fine print so you understand what course of action you can take with every possible scenario that will occur.
Here’s a Professional Photographer’s of America sample contract to give you an idea of what to expect.
This is also your chance to put together an itinerary for your hire. What are the start and end times of your event? Where should they park? Who is the onsite contact and their phone number? Where can the content creator pick up their pass to get inside? Is there another person to contact in case the first one doesn’t answer?
Don’t forget to discuss post-event details like turnaround times for images and what file formats and delivery options are available.
Remember in our Part II blog where we came up with the pre-event shot list? This is now the time to share it. Make sure the photographer and/or videographer reviews everything on the list and asks you questions before the event.
Crowd getting hyped for Macklemore to come on stage at the OATH Conference.
4. It’s Show Time
All those months of planning are behind you….and the event is finally here….YEAH!!!!!!!! Whoever is the designated onsite contact should not only have the photographer’s contact information but also make sure their phone is fully charged and available near the time they are meeting the team member(s). They should also have a copy of the shot list with them and if it includes a lot of names of individuals that need to be photographed, make sure the photographer will have someone with them to identify the individuals.
It’s important for the onsite contact to be available but also out of the way. You hired this expert to do a job...let them do it.
5. Post Event Wrap Up
Since you discussed turnaround times before the event, there’s no need to bug the content creator about when the images or video footage will arrive. Take a breath from all of your amazing event planning and let them ready your content for review. In need of quick turn content for social media? Most photographers love sending a few images as previews and for your use on social.
Once you’ve gotten the final files, schedule some time with the photographer/videographer to debrief. This is an important meeting for your future hires so you can understand what went right, what can be improved for the future and if this individual is someone you want to work with again!
If you need help hiring a photographer or videographer for your next event, the experienced team at O Hello Media is here to take the stress out of this important decision.
We take experiential marketing content capture to the next level. Whether you are a brand doing a marketing activation at someone else’s event, or you are putting on experiential events of your own, shoot us a message so we can better understand your needs!