How to Become An Event Photographer

Think about the kind of photography you want: The first thing you need to consider is the kind of photography that you want to pursue. There are two ways in which you can facilitate this decision:

1. Most interesting: This could go into any direction. For instance, if you are interested in horses, you can go into taking beautiful shots of horses at ranches or farms. If you are interested in child photography, you can look for work around nurseries or prep schools.
2. Most marketable: If you intend on taking your photography into the business direction, you will need to treat it as more than a hobby. What would matter more than your interests is the marketability of the direction you want to take.




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There are a number of types of event photography gigs that you can do. Here is a quick list that might give you an overview:

• Weddings
• Corporate fundraisers
• Political events
• Birthday parties
• Bridal showers
• Baby showers
• Engagement parties
• Bar/Bat Mitzvahs
• Sporting Events
• Anniversaries
• School functions
• Openings ceremonies

Pretty much any celebratory event can be a good place for an event photographer to look for work. You might want to focus on just one or two of these types or you can offer a wide range of services and offer them all. But bear in mind that each of these requires a different kind of skill set, equipment and experience. You might need an entire team if you want to venture into all of these fields at once.

Put together a portfolio:

The first thing any potential employer would ask you for is your portfolio. Make sure you put together some of your best work in a presentable format, and attach all your contact information along with it. For photographers, it is important to have an online portfolio, so you can simply share it over the internet with your potential clients. Make sure your portfolio has a good variety of different kinds of images to give the employer an idea about your expertise. Here are the few types of shots you might want to include:

• Group photos – Posed
• Group Photos – Candid
• Solo candid shots
• Setup photos from a variety of lenses and angles
• Images of corporate sponsor branding
• Any pictures that make the event look entertaining and people excited

Tip: Keep in mind that the main reason photographers are hired is to make an event look like a success and to depict what a great time everyone had.

In addition to your photography work, also attach a document that has a small biography or summary of your past experiences, along with basic contact details. Try to keep this section short and to-the-point.

Get your marketing in line:

Even if you don’t want to spend tones on full-scale marketing, there are a few things that you will need to make your way into the industry. For instance, you will need a logo, online signature, business cards and a strong social media presence.

Tip: As a photographer, be sure to always watermark your images before you put them up on the internet. Even though this wouldn’t ensure that your images won’t be stolen, it would make it harder for any malpractice to take place.

The Marketing Process for an Event Photographer

The following table would help you understand the marketing process that you might need to follow if you want to become an event photographer:

 Start by posting on all your social media accounts about your new venture. Ask your friends and family to share the posts and help you  spread the word within your circle. Post photo updates and statuses to keep people updated about the services you are offering and how to reach you to avail them.

What to do?	How to do it?
Stay on top of Google	If you have a website, using Google intelligently can help you excel. Use the simple free keyword search tool, Google Keyword Planner to look for search terms. Implement techniques of basic SEO and blogging to help your website rank better. The higher you rank, the greater will be your business prospects.
Network	This is one of the most important tools for startups. Figure out who you need to know in order to move ahead. Nearly every other city       has networking events for various professions. Make sure you know where your target market is at such events and invest time and         effort in pitching yourself to them.

 Stay put at your day job to become an event photographer:

Do not quit your day job at least for a while after you enter the industry. Initially you will need some financial support to pursue the photography dream, and for that you will require a job. Once you see things moving forward, plan leaving your day job accordingly, so that you don’t end up in a tough spot soon. Ideally, keep event photography as freelance along with a 9-5 job initially. Some photography businesses may blossom quicker than the others, so be sure to know where you truly stand.