I was asked to shoot the 2012 Melaleuca Conference and Gala Ball for a fellow local photographer, Stefan from Photographer at Large. They had several specific requirements in the brief, including ensuring photos were of magazine print quality.

In this post I am going to give you a bit of the background work that goes into a shoot like this so you can see what sort of preparation, care and attention we give in order to ensure that the event photography for your event captures all the things you want to get recorded.

First of all there was the initial client contact including a brief, run sheet for the two events. This was followed up with several emails and phone calls setting out details prices, dates and times etc.

I then drive into the event location, the Brisbane Convention Centre and met with the event organisers. I went to each of the venue rooms, checked lighting, arranged for AV staff to show me on stage lighting, took test shots, made notes on the types of specific photos they wanted to get. I reviewed all the requirements they had and ensure that I knew hat was expected of me including dress standards, how noticeable they wanted me to be etc.

At home before the event I ensure I had all flash and camera batteries charged, remote flash synch batteries charged, all cables, stands and lighting equipment organised and packed.

I arrived at the venue 20 minutes before hey needed me, and was able to take some setup shots with no one around to ensure i had lighting levels and white balance settings correct.

During the first event – a conference – I ensured I shot people in the crowd at the registration desks as well as overall area photos. Then during the conference i had to shoot specific speakers and award presentations. Finally after that I shot some shopping in the product showcase room.

The next night I also arrived early, got a trolley from reception, carted all my gear to the ballroom, set up and then got changed. I then met with the event organisers who told me all the changes of plan, so I shot some more sample photos using ballroom staff as props to check white balance and camera settings.

I was then able to meet all the photo requirements as requested.

The main message here is the boy scout motto “Be Prepared”. We know that things happen, that plans change and we expect and plan for it. We pack a full car load of gear for events just in case we need it. We ensure that we go out of our way to make sure the client gets the result they anticipated and more.

Here are some sample shots from the event. (note: these are all unedited straight out of the camera)

Feel free to book us for your next corporate or community event.