How can you get your foot in the door for corporate event photography jobs? In this video, I talk about the type of photography I do the most: corporate and government event photography. I photograph these types of events on pretty much a weekly basis and they make me more money than any other type of photography. I do, however, find myself asking, “what do these companies need these photos for?” Many of the events I photograph involve standing networking receptions with important people, speeches and toasts and panel discussions. Sometimes, it can be challenging to get interesting shots – especially when people are just standing around in circles and eating food.
My photography t-shirt:
The hat I’m wearing:
My gear:
My camera – Canon 5D Mark IV:
Canon 16-35mm lens (awesome wide angle):
Canon 70-200 zoom lens (great for events):
Canon 85mm 1.2 (my FAVORITE portrait lens):
Canon 85mm 1.8 (a cheaper alternative):
Canon 50mm 1.4 (second favorite portrait lens):
DJI Phantom 4 Pro drone:
My favorite drone backpack:
ND filters for my drone:
GoPro Hero6:
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At corporate events and receptions do the clients often want group pics and pics of people shaking hands? For those pics do you go as far as using a light stand and reflectors?
Hi there, I think you left out a very important part out of the discussion….You mentioned a few times that you got jobs through other photographers….."other photographers that have left the area…or sometimes those that can't cover an event"…
But how did you happen to know these people in the first place…?? Without this insight there's nothing to take away from that statement….Is it because you'd rather not say….or admit? "Referred you …ok referred you how??
It's a virtual certainty that any successful seasoned photographer might have a ton of talented people that they've worked with over the years – So for me it would seem to be the more likely- if they'd choosen you for one of two reasons: You're the best assistant or photographer that ever lived….or maybe a little bit of a fortuitous stroke random luck – some type of family connection or an in' that you might have had that gave you an edge over all the other people ….or through you day job..someone hooked you up?…Most established photographers know a lot of people that are good to excellent …even if you were a Richard Avedon or a sensation you'd still have to have some solid piece of luck to be the one chosen to get someone's previous clients….
I wish people would be honest about this…most aren't …:)
This is a biggie….I live in Boston ….and few professional photogs here are self made once you dig a bit into their backgrounds ….expensive schools, family connections, money for marketing …etc. Washington probably the same ..not an arts town..not a talent town….a money town….I've noticed that a lot of the most successful people here where i am aren't even that good relatively speaking…Here .it's much more an issue here of who you know…because it's a very clannish place…I actually met a guy from LA who told me that most photographers in Boston have no talent….haha…He's right partially, i know… Not all cities are the same to the same degree, of course, in NYC outstanding talent can at least get you an interview…real raw talent is appreciated there…..LA as well…Not familiar with Washington …but i'd bet that it's 80% a who knows who type of place…whereas in other metropolitan areas knowing people is always important – but in some cities it's the only thing that matters …
Du bist sehr shoen.
Your videos are very nice. German! I spent two years in Germany with the 11th Airborne Division.
Insightful Nicole!
My general rule for pay is the hourly rate from my current job. If I'm not going to get paid what I already get paid per hour, I may as well do overtime at my current job. Take the event time, add the editing hours and multiply by your hourly rate + any materials if physical prints are needed. The only reason to increase would be if you are in greater demand than what you have time to accomplish. Then your time becomes a bidding war between who is willing pay more. This allows you to price yourself at what you are worth without under paying or pricing yourself out of the market. Of course, this only works if you don't have a ridiculously high paying job. In which case, you should probably be just doing photography as a hobby unless you REALLY have a passion for it.
I actually photograph people and processes in plants for a manufacturing firm on the side, I was hired because one of their marketing employees saw some of my photos on my office desk and asked for a quote. They liked the quote (I think I priced myself a little low, but oh well!) and I am now doing 6 manufacturing facilities for them since they liked the first shoot so much. So it can happen even when you're not expecting it.
Thanks, Nicole! Useful stuff….and just wow, can't believe how much effort you are putting in to this after working a full day, hope it's paying off for you!
Nice, doing corporate, school, event, weddings, little league and a year spent as a cruise ship photographer killed any passion I had for photography.
I would definitely hire Nicole for corporate photos!
Hi Nicole, new subscriber just down 95 from you in Richmond and really enjoying your content. With the hourly rates, do you provide all the raw photos taken, a fixed number of edited or some combination of both. Assuming that's all part of your contract but generally what's that rate get them as far as product?
Give a shout if you're ever down this way to shoot.
You are so busy, don't forget to breathe 😊😊
Wow! I really admire your efforts, being that you do all these combined with a 9-5. Thanks for sharing this video. It was truly inspiring.
Nicole, thank you for taking the time to post this video, you provided some good info. Few questions though… Are you asking your clients what kind of usage they need w/ the photos before you deliver them or are you giving them all rights to do whatever, forever? As a corporate photographer, I have found that some of my images have helped clients earn over 100K in sales.
Good video, I always was interested in event photography but was wondering if I can do it being handicapped and having to shoot for my mobility scooter.
Nice information and nice video editing 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Whts your youtube video recording setup?
Ausgezeichnetes Video und nein, ich bin kein Corporate Event-Fotograf.
First time I've ever been first to comment 🙂