The story behind the image above: I was about to snap a shot of the 3 people pictured. The guy in the middle who happened to be the board President said “Make me tall and handsome.” My off the cuff reply was “I can make you tall.” They all started laughing so hard the guy in the middle bent over in laughter. That’s just one of many ways to capture great shots at corporate events. I have several more in my arsenal.

I am currently covering a 5 day corporate event in New Orleans. Yes, I am Raleigh NC based but shoot corporate events from coast-to-coast. Some companies get the value of having the same photographer cover their events year after year whether they are local to the photographer or not. The value goes far beyond paying for a flight and a hotel room. If consistency and a familiar face behind the camera are important, it may be worth the flight and hotel room to have the same corporate event photographer.

Traveling may seem like a simple enough task, but there are photographers that do not travel regularly with their gear on an airline. It helps to not only know the dynamics of photographing a corporate event, but to also know how to manage all the traveling that can be involved as well. It’s not easy traveling with thousands of dollars worth of professional camera gear unless you have a system. In my case, I have my TSA KTN for TSA Precheck and lots of travel cases to hold my gear.

Below are some questions that I posed on a recent LinkedIn article that I wrote about hiring a corporate event photographer that do not tie into the travel piece but should be helpful in your search for a corporate event photographer:

1) What percentage of your event photography work is corporate event related?
2) What is included in your fee?
3) Who will be the photographer at my corporate event?
4) Do you have experience shooting in low light venues?
5) What usage rights do I have concerning the images?
6) How do you deliver the digital files?
7) Will I get both 300DPI and 72DPI file formats?
8) Is any post editing like color and exposure correction included?
9) What is the turnaround time?
10) What companies have you shot for?

Call me direct at 919.723.8453 or use the online form to learn more.

The post Corporate Event Photographer Based In Raleigh NC: Have Camera – Will Travel first appeared on .

Purchased Stock Image

Photography is just like any other profession. It’s impossible to be an expert in all things photography and be really good at everything because there is just not enough time to master it all. But many photographers attempt to shoot anything and everything they can which I think is a mistake.

Here’s a core reason why I think trying to master it all is a mistake: If you photograph weddings and don’t live under a rock, then you know who Jerry Ghionis is. He’s a master at wedding photography and gets paid very well to photograph weddings. If you’re an old photography guy like I am, you may recognize the name Gregory Heisler who is known for photographing lots of famous people in a matter of minutes because most are too busy to spend hours with him being photographed. And finally, Peter Hurley is known for headshots.

What do you want to be known for? Do you really want to be the photographer who tries to do it all? I’m not the one to say what’s right or wrong. It’s your choice to be a jack of all things photography not mine.

In my case, I like being exclusive to three core areas: Corporate Events, Headshots & Commercial Photography. OK, commercial photography can be a broad range, but at least I don’t have a list of the 25+ types of photography that I do and when it comes to event photography, I am truly exclusive to corporate events. I don’t cross over to weddings. That’s one way that I close a lot of corporate event work, but don’t share that with the photographers that do both weddings and corporate events.

Here’s some of my corporate event photography work:

The post I Photograph Corporate Events – Let Wedding Photographers – Photograph Weddings first appeared on .

You have to read the details below to appreciate this group shot.

Yes, you could probably pick the above group shot apart for various reasons, but when you know the details behind it, you should agree that it’s a nice group shot considering all of the circumstances.

This was a line them up quick and shoot group shot. It wasn’t loads of time to see the height of the people involved because names were constantly being called. I had no choice but to get this shot as quickly as possible. You’ll find more details below:

1) I was informed before the fast paced, non-stop, awards ceremony that I would have a group of about 50 people to photograph. The conference call discussing the event stated that the largest group would be about 15 people. That’s what I recall anyway because I asked when they said “We’ll need group shots of award recipients.” Don’t get me wrong. This was a great corporate event and we all got along well. I’m simply saying that I was a little surprised to know that I had a group of about 50. That’s when my experience (not stress) kicked in.

2) After I was informed that I would have a group of about 50 people, I had to figure out how I could get each persons face in the shot when they would all be standing on the same level. I asked the facility if they had a step stool. Thankfully, they did. So that’s what I stood on to see all the faces. I had already seen a ladder there, so that was plan B.

3) The width of the group shot is the maximum width that I had to work with. The wall was to my right and tables for dinner was to the immediate left.

4) On the right side of the image, it may appear I could have put people there. However, there was a 6 foot table with items all under it that couldn’t be moved.

5) The shot was taken in the corner of the room just off to the side of where people were coming up and receiving their awards.

6) I had my usual event gear (which is a lot) with me which means that I did not have a studio strobe, but I did have my (2) Canon 600 hotshoe mount speedlites (flash). I set the speedlite that was mounted to my camera hotshoe to FULL MANUAL power to get enough light to have the front row and the back row in focus.

7) I stood on the step stool to make sure that I could see everyone and took 4 shots in less 30 seconds that went something like this. I counted out loud 1,2,3 (snap), 1,2,3 (snap), 1,2,3 (snap) and 1,2,3 (snap). I said let me check. I quickly thumbed through the 4 images and said “Thank You – We are done!” 

8) Guess what, after that, the two key people on the far right stood back up front which was right behind where I stood to shoot this and more names were called for more awards.

The post Corporate Event Photography Tip: How To Take A Group Shot Of 40+ People In 30 Seconds Or Less – Line Them Up & Shoot – The Details Make A Difference – Read More Below… first appeared on .

Corporate Event Photography is the most physically demanding photography that I do. Although I often have at least one assistant for commercial location shoots, I am usually covering an event solo with two bags of gear along with me. When I fly to an event, it’s even more demanding. 

Real Event Example #1 

Quebec City Canada – Corporate Event Photography Short Overview

1) On a Saturday, I flew with two equipment cases from Raleigh to Quebec City .
2) Landed in Quebec City, Checked in the Hotel, Grabbed Gear, Started shooting event.
3) Sunday, Monday and Tuesday were roughly 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. back to back with minimal downtime. Downtime when traveling and shooting is often spent downloading files, checking batteries and double checking gear.
4) Wednesday Morning: shot event AM session, left hotel, flew back to Raleigh with two cases of gear and luggage. Brenda picked me up at the airport around 11:30 p.m.

Real Event Example #2

Raleigh NC – Corporate Event Photography Short Overview|

1) Wednesday – Shot Lunch Session with hundreds in attendance and several speakers
2) Afternoon Break – Downloaded Files to Brenda to start editing
3) Returned to Shoot Evening Session – Brenda texted me that Lunch edits were done
4) Downloaded Files to Brenda to edit that night – Uploaded all Wednesday edits to client via Dropbox around 1 a.m. – Got to bed at 2:30 a.m.
5) Thursday Evening – Shot for the same client – Donloaded files for Brenda to edit that night – Uploaded Edits around 1:30 a.m. – Got to bed at 2:30 a.m.

The corporate events that I have shot usually run a pretty tight schedule that actually stays on schedule. When dealing with executives, meals, keynote speakers, etc., there is often no choice but to stay on time and keep things moving. It’s usually non-stop for me from the time I pull my cameras out of the bag until it’s time for me to stop shooting. 

Image Copyright David Williams

My experience with companies inquiring about my services is that they are often looking for a photographer that has corporate event experience. They are usually not interested in using a wedding photographer for their corporate event. Some photographers do both and should have a strong portfolio on both sides to be able to consistently close business in both weddings and corporate events. For me, it’s all corporate events when it comes to event photography. I love specializing in corporate events for the event side of my photography. I love providing my corporate clients with a service that I am truly experienced in.

There is nothing wrong with shooting a wedding. It is one of the most important days in that couples life. I say one because being a father of two girls now in their 20’s, the birth of our two daughters is a sharp as our wedding day in my memory. But I said that to say, there is a difference in photographing corporate executives, business professionals, keynote speakers on stage, special guests like top government officials and more that go along with corporate event photography.

If are a photographer considering corporate events, you should get started by practicing on some Chamber of Commerce Events, Larger Business Networking Events and the like. Just because you can photograph a wedding, doesn’t mean that you can dive right into corporate events. The same can be said for the reverse of that which in my case, I have ZERO desire to photograph a wedding.

If you are a company looking to hire an experienced corporate event photography and have read this post to this point, please be sure to look at my corporate event page and see my client list which is a combination of corporate events and commercial shoots.

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The image above was taken in the Raleigh area; however, I have covered a corporate golf outing in Pinehurst.

Corporate event photography is a core part of my/our business (David & Brenda). Corporate golf outings like the one above is just one of the many types of corporate events that I cover. I don’t do any consumer event photography and love being exclusive to the corporate event side of photography which my/our corporate event clients appreciate.

You’ll notice that I am lying on the ground to get the two shots that follow. I will lay on the floor, on the ground, stand on something, use a monopod, move around, go left, go right or whatever it takes to get the shot that I am after which in the end provides much better final images. It’s a style that I have developed to well: It may surprise you to know that clients don’t say I’m in the way but often comment that I am everywhere. I’m a photojournalistic ninja when it comes to covering a corporate event.

Not all photographers will get the same results from the same event. A true professional will bring his or her unique style to the event. That’s why you have to do your homework on the photographer you are considering for your corporate event. In my case, I have lots of corporate event references and will provide contact details upon request.

In closing, weddings are a different type of event with a different style. Everyone knows the STAR (the-Bride) and the supporting minor star (the-Groom). There are several things about weddings that are very predictable. That’s not to say a wedding photographer cannot do a corporate event nor does it mean weddings are easy to shoot, but at the end of the day, what does the photographer shoot the most of Weddings or Corporate Events? I’m not trying to say anything bad about wedding photographers. It’s just that when you are looking for a corporate event photographer, do you really want a photographer that shoots mostly weddings? In my cases, I am exclusively  (100%) corporate events and love shooting them. I am truly passionate about them like a friend of mine that’s truly passionate about wedding photography.

Before you go, please be sure to check out some corporate event images below and call me at 919.723.8453 or fill out the form on the contact page.

The post Corporate Golf Event Photographer Raleigh – Being A Photojournalistic Ninja first appeared on .

Hosting a special corporate party event? Planning a huge community fundraiser?  You should consider hiring a professional event photographer to assist you!  Capturing these special moments at your big event will allow you and your guests to remember your big event for years to come.  These images will also be a wonderful keepsake for you to share, as well as display!  Fun and creative event photos can be used to decorate your office, update your website, as well as share through all of your professional social media pages.

The creative possibilities are truly endless when it comes to event photography.  Making the investment to hire a professional event photographer can open up new opportunities and ideas for marketing, as well as social media content.  Your event images can be used in a variety of ways to help improve and grow your business!  At David Williams Photography, we specialize in corporate event and charity event photography.  Feel free to take a look at our galleries to see examples of our professional photography work!  We love being involved with our community and assisting with all types of special events throughout North Carolina.

David Williams is a skilled photographer with years of professional event photography experience and knowledge!  David loves photography and has a passion for what he does.  Looking for a personable photographer that has a creative eye and offers variety?  That would be us!  If you have any questions or concerns about your upcoming corporate event or charity event, feel free to give us a call.  We would be more than happy to discuss your professional event and walk you through everything that we can offer you as a professional photography business.  We look forward to capturing all of your special moments and helping you build memories that will last forever! Call 919.723.8453!

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