Whether you’re planning a corporate event, tradeshow, conference, or concert, finding the right Las Vegas event photographer is more than a box to check on your to-do list. The photos you look back on from your event will influence how you (and your employees, customers, friends, and/or family) remember the day. The vibrant city of Las Vegas offers unique and visually interesting settings for your event, and the right photographer will have a depth of technical skills for those environments. Beyond their resume, though, they should be aligned with your creative vision for how you’d like the day to be remembered.
Since you’ll likely only have one opportunity to capture the particular occasion you’re planning, vetting your event photographer before hiring them can help to ensure you’ll be happy with your photos. Keep reading for our tips on what to look for when you’re comparing event photographers in Las Vegas.
1. Ask About Experience and Expertise
Event photography is a relatively broad term. Photographers that capture corporate team building events, conferences, performances, and/or celebrations (ie. engagement or birthday parties) would likely all describe their work as falling into this category, but the technical and creative skills for each of those occasions can be very different. Think of the backdrop for each of those events: from a trade show floor to a stage performance with a spotlight, the lighting considerations alone are very different.
When you begin your event photographer search, a safe approach is to look for professionals with plenty of examples in their portfolio of events similar to the one you’re planning. Visual proof of their experience not only demonstrates their capabilities, but also provides insight into their style. If you see promising Las Vegas event photography samples in their portfolio, bring those up when you speak to the photographer. Be clear about what you like from those images and what you might like to see differently, then ask for their perspective about your vision.
2. Pay Attention to Professionalism and Reliability
The way your event photographer interacts with guests, other vendors, and potential customers (for settings like trade shows) will reflect back on you. And, if they lack punctuality, then you risk missing the opportunity to capture key moments from your event.
Of course, most people won’t admit it if they struggle with professionalism, so it can help to evaluate these characteristics in a more roundabout way. Combing through online reviews and speaking to previous clients can help to demonstrate the event photographer’s reliability. Asking about their setup process and how much time they need in advance of the event can also shed light onto how prepared you can expect them to be.
3. Ensure Equipment Will Meet the Needs of the Environment
From low-light banquet halls to bright outdoor settings, no two event venues are quite the same. The right Las Vegas event photographer should have equipment that allows them to adjust to whatever lighting conditions arise. They should also be deeply familiar with how to select the right equipment from their arsenal based on environmental factors.
When you talk to someone you’re considering hiring, they should be able to speak to the following professional equipment in their collection:
High-quality cameras: Full-frame cameras are crucial for capturing detailed images in low light conditions without compromising image quality.
Versatile lenses: A selection of lenses, including wide-angle for expansive interior shots and fast lenses for capturing sharp images in low light, are vital.
External flashes and lighting setups: Proper lighting equipment can drastically improve the quality of photos, especially in environments where lighting conditions are less than ideal.
4. Discuss Style and Creativity
Before you begin comparing Las Vegas photographers, it’s important to identify your vision for how you’d like the event to be remembered. If you’re not sure of the style you’re looking for, explore a wide variety of different portfolios to find photos you like and dislike. Imagery style is crucial for both business and personal events, but for very different reasons.
Corporate Brand Image
Many companies have imagery guidelines that help promotional assets to align with their carefully-developed brand. Company imagery, from corporate headshots to product photography, often has clearly-defined parameters that photographers are asked to adhere to. Beyond familiarizing yourself and your event photographer with brand guidelines, it also helps to identify how you’d like to use the images. For example, if you plan to share images on Instagram, the photographer can capture photos that work well in square formats. If you need a new hero image for your website, make sure your photographer knows that you’d like some wide format options with negative space for text overlay.
Personal Event Photography Style
For events that won’t be the subject of corporate promotion, defining your style and needs in advance will still help to facilitate a smooth process. Consider how you’ll be using these photos:
Is this a performance that you’d like to include in a portfolio?
Will you be blowing up and framing any of these photos?
Are there family members or friends who will want copies?
Answering these questions for yourself can help you to identify your needs and communicate those to your Las Vegas event photographer. Also consider what emotions you’d like your photos to evoke when you look back on the day, and your photographer can help to capture candid images that reflect those sentiments.
5. Don’t Forget About Budget and Package Details
Finally, understanding the cost and what you’ll receive for that price will help to avoid any surprises down the line. When you’re evaluating each photographer before hiring them, clearly communicate your budget and any constraints that might be helpful for them to know.
Each individual will have different photography packages available. It’s common for packages to define the following elements:
Number of photos delivered: Some photographers in Vegas will offer unlimited digital photos, some will allow you to choose a certain number of images you will receive, and others will include prints in their packages.
Coverage hours: Typically, event photography packages will specify the number of hours for which a photographer will be present and working at an event. Make sure those hours align with your event needs to avoid unexpected overtime charges.
Additional services: Some photographers may offer services like drones and post-event editing. Understand which of these services you’re interested in, and inquire about what is included versus what might incur additional costs.
Bob Bartholomew: Premier Event Photographer in Las Vegas
We’d love to help you capture your event in a way that aligns with your vision! Reach out today to discuss your upcoming event and your photography needs.
